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Balance & Dizziness Canada

Balance & Dizziness Canada

Supporting, inspiring and educating those affected by balance and dizziness disorders

Menu
  • Home
  • Professional Members
  • Practitioners List
  • About
    • What We Do
    • History
    • Testimonials
    • Our Team
    • Initiatives
    • Policies
    • Contact
    • Pro Members
    • Donate
  • Contact
  • Site Map
  • Donate
NAVIGATION
  • Balance System
  • Symptoms
  • Disorders
    • Close
    • Vestibular Disorders
      • Close
        • Acoustic Neuroma
        • Age-related Dizziness and Imbalance
        • Autoimmune Inner Ear Disease (AIED)
        • Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV)
        • Bilateral Vestibulopathy
        • CANVAS Syndrome
        • Cervicogenic Dizziness
        • Childhood Dizziness and Imbalance
        • Cholesteatoma
        • Dizziness & Imbalance after mTBI
        • Enlarged Vestibular Aqueduct
        • Isolated Otolith Disorder
        • Labyrinthine Infarction
        • Labyrinthitis
        • Mal de Débarquement Syndrome (MdDS)
        • Ménière’s Disease
        • Motion and Cyber Sickness
        • Otosclerosis
        • Perilymph Fistula
        • Persistent Postural-Perceptual Dizziness (PPPD)
        • Ramsay Hunt Syndrome
        • Secondary Endolymphatic Hydrops
        • Semicircular Canal Dehiscence
        • Vestibular Migraine
        • Vestibular Neuritis
        • Vestibular Paroxysmia
        • Vestibular Toxicity
        • Visually Induced Dizziness
      • Close
    • Multifactorial Causes
    • Other Causes
    • Imbalance without Dizziness
    • Statistics
    • Close
  • Diagnosis & Treatment
    • Close
      • Patient Journey
      • Working with Professionals
      • Primary Care Physicians
      • Other Health Professionals
      • Where to Get Tested
      • Diagnostic Tests
      • Vestibular Rehabilitation
      • Vestibular Rehab Video $10
      • Cognitive Behavioural Therapy
      • Medication
      • Surgical Treatments
      • Alternative Treatments
      • Future Treatments
    • Close
  • Help Yourself
    • Close
      • Build Your Wellness Toolkit
      • Help Others Understand
      • Keep a Health Diary
      • Time Management
      • Relaxation Techniques
      • Physical Activity
      • Vestibular Rehab Video $10
      • Anxiety and Depression
      • Eat Well
      • Vision Challenges
      • Prevent Falls
      • Overcome Fear of Falling
      • At Home, Work & School
      • Out & About
      • Emergency Plans
      • Move From Survive to Thrive
    • Close
  • Stories
    • Close
    • Our Stories
    • Books to Inspire
    • Famous Dizzy People
    • Close
  • Support
    • Close
    • Ask Us
    • FAQ
      • Close
      • Ask an Expert Form
      • Close
    • Our Videos
    • Suggested Books
    • For Family and Friends
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    • Close
You are here: Home / Support / FAQ

FAQ

Browse a selection of our most frequently asked questions and answers about balance and dizziness disorders. Submit your own question here.



BPPV

b
Are there classes that teach the half-somersault manoeuvre?
The half-somersault manoeuvre is meant to be self-taught and performed, but, depending on how dizzy, fit and healthy you are, it may be difficult to do. It is an alternative to the Epley manoeuvre, which can also be self-administered. You can read more about the half-somersault maoneuvre here. Alternatively, you can see a vestibular physiotherapist who can help you with the manoeuvres, both teaching you how to do them and performing them for you. You can find a Vestibular Physiotherapist in your area here. Choose “Find a Physio” or “Find a Clinic” and select the “Advanced Search” option. Enter your criteria, including your city. I couldn’t help but notice that you mentioned in your email that you suffer from Ménière’s Disease. Note that these manoeuvres are aimed at positional vertigo, which may occur in Ménière’s disease. Positional vertigo presents as short-lived episodes of spinning dizziness that occur only when you move your head in certain ways. On the other hand, Ménière’s Disease presents with intense spinning (dizziness) episodes, that come on suddenly, often for no apparent reason. These are often accompanied by vomiting and last for hours. The manoeuvres for positional vertigo are not recommended when these longer and more severe episodes occur.
Categories: BPPV Ménière's Disease Positional Vertigo Self Help Vestibular Rehabilitation
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b
Could vestibular exercises cause BPPV to come back?

In general, there is nothing in particular that links vestibular exercises to making the crystals dislodge from where they belong, and thereby causing BPPV. Vestibular therapists have people doing a lot of different activities – in general, these are exercises done in an upright position, whereas BPPV is typically brought on by laying the head back. Vestibular exercises done for vestibulo-ocular reflex (VOR) or for balance do not tend to provoke BPPV. If BPPV is going to happen, it is going to happen – there is really no rhyme nor reason why the crystals tend to slide into a semicircular canal. And if they do, it is fairly easy for a vestibular therapist to correct.

Categories: BPPV Vestibular Rehabilitation
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b
Does the Epley maneuver cause a flare up of symptoms?

You might feel a bit off balance, dizzy and/or nauseous for a day or two after an Epley manoeuvre, but these symptoms should settle down over time. For the most part, people tolerate the Epley manoeuvre quite well. If the therapist does repeated Epley or other manoeuvres – one, after the other, after the other – and your situation does not improve, it may be that something other than BPPV is causing your dizziness. In that case, following up with your vestibular professional and getting reassessed may help narrow down the cause.

Categories: BPPV Vestibular Rehabilitation
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b
I have been diagnosed with BPPV. My community has no support group for dizziness. I don’t know where to turn. Can you give me a plan of action?

You have expressed the feelings of many people affected by dizziness! It is not always easy to find support in your community; you end up seeing quite a few professionals and they are not always on the same page as to your diagnosis and treatment plan. You may be left with uncertainty about what you can expect in the future. Without getting into too much detail about your diagnosis and treatment (you can read more about BPPV here) you are encouraged to do the following:

1) Get informed (learning more about BPPV is a start) and then clarify with your healthcare professionals what their treatment plan is. Ask as many questions as you need. Read some more if you need to. Here is a list of recommended books.

2) Once you feel you have a direction to follow for treatment, stick with it for a set amount of time. Six weeks is a reasonable time frame. During this time, try your very best to stick with the treatment plan and to stay positive.

3) Use the online resources of our Society and your local sources of support. Since you mentioned that there are no specific dizziness support groups, how about you try your community for balance exercises, for example? You can also look for tai chi classes and classes designed for falls prevention. You will most likely find others dealing with similar issues.

4) At the end of your “trial” with this plan, reassess your symptoms and your goals. You may find that you were on the right track, or you may need to start on number one all over again and try a different treatment plan.

Keep in mind that, even if you need to go back and follow a different course of action, that is okay. It will not be forever. Give yourself again about six weeks time and reassess. Stay in the present moment as much as you can, focusing on what you can effectively do right then and there.

Categories: BPPV Tai Chi Vestibular Rehabilitation Vestibular Testing
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b
My physiotherapist talks about the crystals in my ear. What does this mean?

The otoliths are a chandelier-like structure hanging from the ceiling of the inner ear. As we move, its canals bend from side to side and we sense these movements. Like a chandelier, this structure is weighted by crystals. These tiny rocks can come loose and fall into the canals causing BPPV (benign paroxysmal positional vertigo).

Every time someone with BPPV does a particular head movement, for example putting their head back to look for something on an upper shelf or rolling over in bed, they get dizzy.  This happens because the loose crystals overstimulate the movement sensors in the canal. There are canal-specific manoeuvres that can be performed by a doctor, audiologist or physiotherapist to shift the crystals back to where they belong.

Between 85 to 90% of BPPV affects the posterior canal; for most patients, it is easily fixed using the Epley manoeuvre. The Barbeque Roll (rotational) manoeuvre is used when the horizontal canal is affected. Read more about BPPV and its treatment.

Download Related Info Sheet (PDF): 
https://balanceanddizziness.org/pdf/bppv.pdf
Category: BPPV
Tags: Crystals, Otoliths
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b
What if the manoeuvres to correct BPPV don’t work?

You might have an underlying condition that behaves like BPPV. A second possibility is recurrent BPPV; it can be fixed by a manoeuvre but then comes back. It is also possible that the source of your problem is not in the inner ear, but higher up in your brain. If the sensors in your brain that interpret the information sent by the ear are not working properly, these manoeuvres will be of no use.

Categories: BPPV Vestibular Rehabilitation
Tag: Epley Manoeuvre
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Ménière's Disease

b
Are there classes that teach the half-somersault manoeuvre?

The half-somersault manoeuvre is meant to be self-taught and performed, but, depending on how dizzy, fit and healthy you are, it may be difficult to do. It is an alternative to the Epley manoeuvre, which can also be self-administered. You can read more about the half-somersault maoneuvre here.

Alternatively, you can see a vestibular physiotherapist who can help you with the manoeuvres, both teaching you how to do them and performing them for you. You can find a Vestibular Physiotherapist in your area here. Choose “Find a Physio” or “Find a Clinic” and select the “Advanced Search” option. Enter your criteria, including your city.

I couldn’t help but notice that you mentioned in your email that you suffer from Ménière’s Disease. Note that these manoeuvres are aimed at positional vertigo, which may occur in Ménière’s disease. Positional vertigo presents as short-lived episodes of spinning dizziness that occur only when you move your head in certain ways. On the other hand, Ménière’s Disease presents with intense spinning (dizziness) episodes, that come on suddenly, often for no apparent reason. These are often accompanied by vomiting and last for hours. The manoeuvres for positional vertigo are not recommended when these longer and more severe episodes occur.

Categories: BPPV Ménière's Disease Positional Vertigo Self Help Vestibular Rehabilitation
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Positional Vertigo

b
Are there classes that teach the half-somersault manoeuvre?

The half-somersault manoeuvre is meant to be self-taught and performed, but, depending on how dizzy, fit and healthy you are, it may be difficult to do. It is an alternative to the Epley manoeuvre, which can also be self-administered. You can read more about the half-somersault maoneuvre here.

Alternatively, you can see a vestibular physiotherapist who can help you with the manoeuvres, both teaching you how to do them and performing them for you. You can find a Vestibular Physiotherapist in your area here. Choose “Find a Physio” or “Find a Clinic” and select the “Advanced Search” option. Enter your criteria, including your city.

I couldn’t help but notice that you mentioned in your email that you suffer from Ménière’s Disease. Note that these manoeuvres are aimed at positional vertigo, which may occur in Ménière’s disease. Positional vertigo presents as short-lived episodes of spinning dizziness that occur only when you move your head in certain ways. On the other hand, Ménière’s Disease presents with intense spinning (dizziness) episodes, that come on suddenly, often for no apparent reason. These are often accompanied by vomiting and last for hours. The manoeuvres for positional vertigo are not recommended when these longer and more severe episodes occur.

Categories: BPPV Ménière's Disease Positional Vertigo Self Help Vestibular Rehabilitation
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Self Help

b
Are there classes that teach the half-somersault manoeuvre?

The half-somersault manoeuvre is meant to be self-taught and performed, but, depending on how dizzy, fit and healthy you are, it may be difficult to do. It is an alternative to the Epley manoeuvre, which can also be self-administered. You can read more about the half-somersault maoneuvre here.

Alternatively, you can see a vestibular physiotherapist who can help you with the manoeuvres, both teaching you how to do them and performing them for you. You can find a Vestibular Physiotherapist in your area here. Choose “Find a Physio” or “Find a Clinic” and select the “Advanced Search” option. Enter your criteria, including your city.

I couldn’t help but notice that you mentioned in your email that you suffer from Ménière’s Disease. Note that these manoeuvres are aimed at positional vertigo, which may occur in Ménière’s disease. Positional vertigo presents as short-lived episodes of spinning dizziness that occur only when you move your head in certain ways. On the other hand, Ménière’s Disease presents with intense spinning (dizziness) episodes, that come on suddenly, often for no apparent reason. These are often accompanied by vomiting and last for hours. The manoeuvres for positional vertigo are not recommended when these longer and more severe episodes occur.

Categories: BPPV Ménière's Disease Positional Vertigo Self Help Vestibular Rehabilitation
Share
  • facebook
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Tai Chi

b
I have been diagnosed with BPPV. My community has no support group for dizziness. I don’t know where to turn. Can you give me a plan of action?

You have expressed the feelings of many people affected by dizziness! It is not always easy to find support in your community; you end up seeing quite a few professionals and they are not always on the same page as to your diagnosis and treatment plan. You may be left with uncertainty about what you can expect in the future. Without getting into too much detail about your diagnosis and treatment (you can read more about BPPV here) you are encouraged to do the following:

1) Get informed (learning more about BPPV is a start) and then clarify with your healthcare professionals what their treatment plan is. Ask as many questions as you need. Read some more if you need to. Here is a list of recommended books.

2) Once you feel you have a direction to follow for treatment, stick with it for a set amount of time. Six weeks is a reasonable time frame. During this time, try your very best to stick with the treatment plan and to stay positive.

3) Use the online resources of our Society and your local sources of support. Since you mentioned that there are no specific dizziness support groups, how about you try your community for balance exercises, for example? You can also look for tai chi classes and classes designed for falls prevention. You will most likely find others dealing with similar issues.

4) At the end of your “trial” with this plan, reassess your symptoms and your goals. You may find that you were on the right track, or you may need to start on number one all over again and try a different treatment plan.

Keep in mind that, even if you need to go back and follow a different course of action, that is okay. It will not be forever. Give yourself again about six weeks time and reassess. Stay in the present moment as much as you can, focusing on what you can effectively do right then and there.

Categories: BPPV Tai Chi Vestibular Rehabilitation Vestibular Testing
Share
  • facebook
  • twitter
Back to Top

Vestibular Rehabilitation

b
Are there classes that teach the half-somersault manoeuvre?

The half-somersault manoeuvre is meant to be self-taught and performed, but, depending on how dizzy, fit and healthy you are, it may be difficult to do. It is an alternative to the Epley manoeuvre, which can also be self-administered. You can read more about the half-somersault maoneuvre here.

Alternatively, you can see a vestibular physiotherapist who can help you with the manoeuvres, both teaching you how to do them and performing them for you. You can find a Vestibular Physiotherapist in your area here. Choose “Find a Physio” or “Find a Clinic” and select the “Advanced Search” option. Enter your criteria, including your city.

I couldn’t help but notice that you mentioned in your email that you suffer from Ménière’s Disease. Note that these manoeuvres are aimed at positional vertigo, which may occur in Ménière’s disease. Positional vertigo presents as short-lived episodes of spinning dizziness that occur only when you move your head in certain ways. On the other hand, Ménière’s Disease presents with intense spinning (dizziness) episodes, that come on suddenly, often for no apparent reason. These are often accompanied by vomiting and last for hours. The manoeuvres for positional vertigo are not recommended when these longer and more severe episodes occur.

Categories: BPPV Ménière's Disease Positional Vertigo Self Help Vestibular Rehabilitation
Share
  • facebook
  • twitter
Back to Top
b
Could vestibular exercises cause BPPV to come back?

In general, there is nothing in particular that links vestibular exercises to making the crystals dislodge from where they belong, and thereby causing BPPV. Vestibular therapists have people doing a lot of different activities – in general, these are exercises done in an upright position, whereas BPPV is typically brought on by laying the head back. Vestibular exercises done for vestibulo-ocular reflex (VOR) or for balance do not tend to provoke BPPV. If BPPV is going to happen, it is going to happen – there is really no rhyme nor reason why the crystals tend to slide into a semicircular canal. And if they do, it is fairly easy for a vestibular therapist to correct.

Categories: BPPV Vestibular Rehabilitation
Share
  • facebook
  • twitter
Back to Top
b
Does the Epley maneuver cause a flare up of symptoms?

You might feel a bit off balance, dizzy and/or nauseous for a day or two after an Epley manoeuvre, but these symptoms should settle down over time. For the most part, people tolerate the Epley manoeuvre quite well. If the therapist does repeated Epley or other manoeuvres – one, after the other, after the other – and your situation does not improve, it may be that something other than BPPV is causing your dizziness. In that case, following up with your vestibular professional and getting reassessed may help narrow down the cause.

Categories: BPPV Vestibular Rehabilitation
Share
  • facebook
  • twitter
Back to Top
b
I have been diagnosed with BPPV. My community has no support group for dizziness. I don’t know where to turn. Can you give me a plan of action?

You have expressed the feelings of many people affected by dizziness! It is not always easy to find support in your community; you end up seeing quite a few professionals and they are not always on the same page as to your diagnosis and treatment plan. You may be left with uncertainty about what you can expect in the future. Without getting into too much detail about your diagnosis and treatment (you can read more about BPPV here) you are encouraged to do the following:

1) Get informed (learning more about BPPV is a start) and then clarify with your healthcare professionals what their treatment plan is. Ask as many questions as you need. Read some more if you need to. Here is a list of recommended books.

2) Once you feel you have a direction to follow for treatment, stick with it for a set amount of time. Six weeks is a reasonable time frame. During this time, try your very best to stick with the treatment plan and to stay positive.

3) Use the online resources of our Society and your local sources of support. Since you mentioned that there are no specific dizziness support groups, how about you try your community for balance exercises, for example? You can also look for tai chi classes and classes designed for falls prevention. You will most likely find others dealing with similar issues.

4) At the end of your “trial” with this plan, reassess your symptoms and your goals. You may find that you were on the right track, or you may need to start on number one all over again and try a different treatment plan.

Keep in mind that, even if you need to go back and follow a different course of action, that is okay. It will not be forever. Give yourself again about six weeks time and reassess. Stay in the present moment as much as you can, focusing on what you can effectively do right then and there.

Categories: BPPV Tai Chi Vestibular Rehabilitation Vestibular Testing
Share
  • facebook
  • twitter
Back to Top
b
What if the manoeuvres to correct BPPV don’t work?

You might have an underlying condition that behaves like BPPV. A second possibility is recurrent BPPV; it can be fixed by a manoeuvre but then comes back. It is also possible that the source of your problem is not in the inner ear, but higher up in your brain. If the sensors in your brain that interpret the information sent by the ear are not working properly, these manoeuvres will be of no use.

Categories: BPPV Vestibular Rehabilitation
Tag: Epley Manoeuvre
Share
  • facebook
  • twitter
Back to Top

Vestibular Testing

b
I have been diagnosed with BPPV. My community has no support group for dizziness. I don’t know where to turn. Can you give me a plan of action?

You have expressed the feelings of many people affected by dizziness! It is not always easy to find support in your community; you end up seeing quite a few professionals and they are not always on the same page as to your diagnosis and treatment plan. You may be left with uncertainty about what you can expect in the future. Without getting into too much detail about your diagnosis and treatment (you can read more about BPPV here) you are encouraged to do the following:

1) Get informed (learning more about BPPV is a start) and then clarify with your healthcare professionals what their treatment plan is. Ask as many questions as you need. Read some more if you need to. Here is a list of recommended books.

2) Once you feel you have a direction to follow for treatment, stick with it for a set amount of time. Six weeks is a reasonable time frame. During this time, try your very best to stick with the treatment plan and to stay positive.

3) Use the online resources of our Society and your local sources of support. Since you mentioned that there are no specific dizziness support groups, how about you try your community for balance exercises, for example? You can also look for tai chi classes and classes designed for falls prevention. You will most likely find others dealing with similar issues.

4) At the end of your “trial” with this plan, reassess your symptoms and your goals. You may find that you were on the right track, or you may need to start on number one all over again and try a different treatment plan.

Keep in mind that, even if you need to go back and follow a different course of action, that is okay. It will not be forever. Give yourself again about six weeks time and reassess. Stay in the present moment as much as you can, focusing on what you can effectively do right then and there.

Categories: BPPV Tai Chi Vestibular Rehabilitation Vestibular Testing
Share
  • facebook
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