BPPV Treatment Edmonton

Brief spinning when you lie down, roll over or look up is usually BPPV — and it is one of the most treatable causes of vertigo.

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BPPV Treatment in Edmonton with Repositioning Manoeuvres

Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) happens when small calcium crystals in the inner ear drift into one of the semicircular canals. Each time your head moves into certain positions, the crystals shift and send a false signal of movement, producing seconds of intense spinning. At Next Step Physio & Neurorehab Clinic in Edmonton, vestibular-trained physiotherapists diagnose which canal is affected and treat it with repositioning manoeuvres such as the Epley manoeuvre.

BPPV is common after 50, after a head bump or a period of lying still (illness, bed rest), and sometimes for no clear reason. It is not dangerous, but it can be frightening and can lead to falls, so it is worth treating promptly.

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How do I know if it’s BPPV?

Typical signs are: vertigo that lasts seconds to under a minute, triggered by rolling in bed, lying down, sitting up, bending forward or looking up; nausea with the spells; and feeling generally off-balance between spells. Hearing is usually unaffected.

The diagnosis is confirmed in clinic with positional tests such as the Dix–Hallpike and roll tests, during which your physiotherapist watches for characteristic eye movements (nystagmus). This tells us which ear and which canal is involved — important, because the manoeuvre differs for each.

How BPPV is treated

Treatment is a series of guided head and body positions — the Epley manoeuvre for the most common (posterior canal) type, and the BBQ roll or Gufoni manoeuvres for horizontal-canal BPPV — that move the crystals out of the canal. The manoeuvre takes a few minutes and is usually performed at the first visit once the diagnosis is confirmed.

Most people improve substantially after one to three treatments. Some residual unsteadiness for a few days is normal and settles with simple balance exercises we show you.

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What to expect at your BPPV appointment

Plan for about 45 minutes at your first visit:

History:

We confirm your symptoms fit the BPPV pattern and rule out signs that need medical care first.

Positional testing:

Dix–Hallpike and roll tests reproduce the spinning briefly so we can identify the affected canal.

Repositioning manoeuvre:

The appropriate manoeuvre is performed, moving slowly through each position and pausing until any spinning settles.

Re-test:

We often re-check the position to see whether the crystals have cleared.

Home advice:

Instructions for the rest of the day and, where useful, a simple exercise to do at home.

Follow-up:

A second visit a few days later confirms the result or repeats the manoeuvre if needed.

Arrange a ride for your first appointment; you may feel unsteady for an hour or two after testing.

Is the treatment safe?

Repositioning manoeuvres are safe for most people. Your physiotherapist will modify the technique if you have significant neck problems, recent neck or back surgery, or vascular conditions, and will refer you for medical assessment if your symptoms do not fit BPPV. Do not attempt manoeuvres from online videos before you know which canal is involved — performing the wrong one can make symptoms worse.

Book BPPV treatment in Edmonton

If your vertigo is positional, you likely do not need to wait it out. Book a vestibular assessment at our Millwoods clinic — no referral needed, direct billing available.

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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

FAQ

About BPPV

What causes BPPV?

Otoconia (calcium carbonate crystals) that normally sit in the utricle become dislodged and enter a semicircular canal. Ageing, head injury, prolonged bed rest and inner-ear infections make it more likely; often there is no identifiable cause.

Does BPPV go away on its own?

It can, over weeks or months, but treatment resolves it far faster and reduces the risk of falls in the meantime.

Is BPPV a sign of something serious?

BPPV itself is benign. Vertigo with new weakness, speech or vision changes, severe headache or hearing loss needs medical assessment first.

Can BPPV affect both ears?

Occasionally. Testing identifies each affected canal and each is treated in turn.

Why do I still feel off-balance after the manoeuvre?

Mild unsteadiness for a few days is common as the balance system settles. Short balance exercises speed this up.

Treatment and follow-up

How many visits does BPPV treatment take?

Most cases resolve within 1–3 visits. Horizontal-canal BPPV and cases involving more than one canal can take a little longer.

Does the Epley manoeuvre hurt?

No, but it deliberately provokes brief spinning and sometimes nausea during the positions. This passes quickly.

What should I do after treatment?

Move normally. Older advice to sleep upright or avoid lying on one side is no longer considered necessary for most people; your therapist will tell you if anything specific applies.

Will BPPV come back?

It recurs in roughly a third of people over several years. If it does, the same treatment works again — and you will recognise the symptoms early.

Do I need a referral or a doctor's diagnosis first?

No. Physiotherapists with vestibular training can assess and treat BPPV directly. We will refer you onward if your presentation is not typical.

Related services at Next Step:

Available at our Millwoods clinic in Edmonton. Book an appointment.