The Epley Manoeuvre can help with the treatment of vertigo.
Do you suffer with Vertigo?
Vertigo is a complex condition that is often present due to a variety of factors. These issues could be caused by your blood pressure, medications, inner ear infections, a virus, issues arising from your neck that affects a particular nerve. Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) is one of the most common causes of dizziness and symptoms of vertigo.
Vertigo describe the feeling of:
- dizziness
- of being off balance
- experiencing swaying
- spinning
- whirling sensations
These feelings are caused by the movement of the head. An episode of BPPV can make you feel as though you are turning around when you are in fact standing still.
It occurs in people of all ages but is more common in middle-aged and elderly people. It causes short bursts of intense dizziness when you move your body or head in certain positions. People can feel sick and are sometimes unsteady for a few hours after the dizziness has gone away.
What is benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV)?
There is a collection of tiny crystals inside your ear. BPPV occurs when the crystals are dislodged from their correct position. They move into one or more of the semi-circular canals and either continue to float around or become attached to another part of the ear.
The crystals can become dislodged from their normal position for a number of reasons. These include a head injury or an infection of the inner ear. Often it happens for no reason. BPPV usually occurs in one ear but can occasionally be in both ears at the same time.
Once the crystals are loose, putting your head into certain positions can cause the crystals to move, making your brain think you are moving even though you are not. If you stay still or in the position which makes you dizzy, the crystals will settle, and the dizziness will wear off.
Can benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) be treated?
To determine which type of vertigo might be occurring, your osteopath might use simple positioning techniques, plus a series of questions to help categorise the symptoms. As Osteopaths, we are expertly positioned to talk to you about most of these issues, and we can generally help to define what the causative agent is.
Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV) can frequently be treated with a simple manual positioning technique called The Epley manoeuvre. Osteopaths have the manual hands-on skills to be able to perform the Epley manoeuvre safely. This is a treatment that involves turning your head in a series of movements. The movements are specifically designed to use gravity to dislodge the crystals from the semi-circular canals and return them to where they belong, treating your symptoms of vertigo.
Treatment might also include addressing any tightness or restricted range of motion in the neck, aiming at restoring the equilibrium of the vestibular system. Your osteopath may also provide exercises for you to do at home.
If you suffer with vertigo our osteopath Joe Marshall has valuable experience treating with the Epley manoeuvre. If you are interested in finding out more about how we can help with vertigo, please contact us on 01217054499 or email us at info@solihullosteopathicpractice.co.uk. You can also book online at www.jeremyjamesosteopath.co.uk.
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