When you feel the room spin out of nowhere, it’s not just dizziness—it’s often Epley maneuver, a specific head movement sequence used to treat benign paroxysmal positional vertigo by repositioning dislodged crystals in the inner ear. Also known as a canalith repositioning procedure, it’s one of the most effective, drug-free ways to stop sudden spinning sensations caused by inner ear problems. Unlike medications that mask symptoms, the Epley maneuver fixes the root issue: tiny calcium crystals (otoconia) that get stuck where they shouldn’t be, tricking your brain into thinking you’re moving when you’re not.
This isn’t just theory—it’s a standard treatment used in clinics worldwide. The benign paroxysmal positional vertigo, a common inner ear disorder that triggers brief, intense episodes of dizziness when changing head position is behind most cases where the Epley maneuver works. People often feel it after rolling over in bed, looking up, or bending down. The good news? You don’t need surgery or pills. A trained provider can guide you through the steps in under 15 minutes, and many patients feel better right away. Even if you do it at home after being shown how, success rates are high—up to 90% in some studies.
It’s not for every kind of dizziness. If your spinning comes from migraines, stroke, or low blood pressure, the Epley maneuver won’t help. But if your symptoms match: sudden spins triggered by head movement, lasting less than a minute, and no hearing loss or numbness—you’re likely a good candidate. The inner ear balance, the system that uses fluid-filled canals and tiny crystals to detect head position and movement is delicate, and when those crystals move out of place, your balance system goes haywire. The Epley maneuver gently guides them back to where they belong, using gravity and precise head angles.
What you’ll find in the posts below isn’t just theory. You’ll see real patient experiences, step-by-step guides you can follow safely, and warnings about when not to try it yourself. There are also posts about how other treatments—like medications for nausea or therapies for chronic dizziness—compare. You’ll learn why some people need multiple sessions, how to tell if it worked, and what to do if the spinning comes back. This isn’t a one-size-fits-all fix, but for millions of people, it’s the quickest way back to feeling steady on their feet.
BPPV is the most common cause of vertigo, triggered by loose inner ear crystals. Canalith repositioning, like the Epley maneuver, fixes it in minutes - no pills or scans needed. Learn how it works and why it's the only proven cure.