By Hannah Munson, Physiotherapist at The Physio Therapy Centre, Haywards Heath
Dizziness can be surprisingly disruptive. It affects confidence, balance and everyday life — and many people are relieved to discover that dizziness is very common and often highly treatable once properly assessed.
At The Physio Therapy Centre in Haywards Heath, we regularly help patients experiencing dizziness, vertigo and balance difficulties. One of the most frequent causes is Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV). In this blog, I explain what BPPV is, why it causes such intense spinning sensations, and how physiotherapy helps resolve it quickly and safely. After reading below come back and click HERE to watch a video from Hannah all about the Epley Manoeuvre.
How Do We Keep Our Balance?
Your balance system relies on three key areas working together:
1. Your inner ear
Each inner ear contains three semicircular canals filled with fluid and lined with hair-like sensors. When you move your head, these sensors detect the movement. Nearby structures called utricles contain tiny crystals that help detect gravity and head position.
2. Your eyes
Your vision constantly tells your brain where you are in space.
3. Your muscles and joints
These provide information about position, pressure and movement.
Your brain blends all of this information to keep you upright and steady. When signals from the inner ear become inaccurate, dizziness or vertigo can occur.
What Is BPPV?
Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV) is one of the most common causes of vertigo, responsible for around 20% of dizziness cases. Around half of people over 50 will experience it at least once.
BPPV occurs when some of the tiny crystals in the utricle become dislodged and fall into one of the semicircular canals. When you move your head, the crystals move also — triggering a false spinning signal to the brain.
People with BPPV typically experience:
- sudden spinning when lying down, rolling in bed, or looking up
- brief episodes lasting seconds to a minute
- lingering unsteadiness
- occasional nausea
Although the symptoms can feel dramatic, BPPV is not dangerous — and is usually very treatable.
Treatment is effective for 90% of cases in a single session, with more persistent presentations resolving within 2–5 sessions.
How Physiotherapy Helps With Dizziness
At our Haywards Heath clinic, physiotherapy for dizziness starts with a detailed assessment to identify whether BPPV is present. This includes tests such as the Dix-Hallpike test, which helps pinpoint which ear and which canal are affected.
Treatment is based on:
1. Repositioning techniques
These guided movements use gravity to move the loose crystals back to where they belong. The most widely used and effective technique is the Epley manoeuvre.
2. Advice and symptom management
Patients learn what movements may temporarily worsen symptoms and how to handle this safely.
3. Exercises to support recovery
These may include balance work and simple eye–head coordination exercises to reduce any lingering dizziness and restore full confidence.
The aim is to give rapid symptom relief and help you get back to normal daily activity quickly.
The Epley Manoeuvre: What Happens During Treatment
The Epley manoeuvre, developed by Dr John Epley in 1979, remains one of the most effective treatments for BPPV.
During the manoeuvre, your physiotherapist will guide you through a series of precise head and body movements. These typically include:
- Sitting with your head turned 45° toward the affected ear
- Quickly lying back with your head slightly extended
- Turning the head to the opposite side
- Rolling onto your side
- Returning to sitting
Each position uses gravity to move the dislodged crystals out of the semicircular canal and back into the utricle.
It’s normal to feel dizzy during the manoeuvre — this is expected — but most patients experience immediate relief afterwards or within the next 24 hours.
Supporting Exercises: Gaze and Balance Training
After the crystals are repositioned, some patients benefit from short-term exercises to help the brain settle and reduce any remaining symptoms.
These may include:
Gaze Stabilisation
Keeping your eyes fixed on a target while turning your head. This strengthens the link between the eyes and inner ear and reduces dizziness with movement.
Balance Training
Simple exercises such as:
- standing on one leg
- controlled head turns
- gentle walking patterns
These improve stability and reduce the risk of falls.
These exercises are not long-term commitments — most people only need them for days or a few weeks.
Back to Normal Life — Quickly and Safely
Most people with BPPV improve very quickly with physiotherapy. Often only one or two sessions are required, and you will also learn how to recognise symptoms and manage minor recurrences if they ever return.
If you live in Haywards Heath or the surrounding Mid Sussex areas, you don’t need to put up with dizziness or spinning sensations. Physiotherapy can provide fast, effective relief.
Book Your Free 15-Minute Phone Consultation
If you’re experiencing dizziness, vertigo or balance problems, we’re here to help.
Book a free 15-minute phone consultation with Hannah by clicking HERE Or Book and appointment with Hannah – HERE
About the Author
Hannah Munson is a Physiotherapist at The Physio Therapy Centre in Haywards Heath, with experience assessing and treating dizziness, vertigo and balance-related conditions. She has a special interest in BPPV and physiotherapy for dizziness.
