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What Is Canalith Repositioning for Vertigo?

Vertigo is the sensation that things are spinning around the person suffering from the condition. Canalith repositioning is a treatment for a specific type of vertigo called benign paroxysmal positional vertigo, or BPPV.

  1. BPPV

    • The body maintains its balance with the help of tubes in the ears called semicircular canals. Sometimes calcium crystals, or canaliths, can float into the canals' fluid, causing BPPV.

    Purpose

    • The goal of canalith repositioning is to move the canaliths into a part of the ear where they will no longer cause problems.

    Procedure

    • The patient, lying down, is instructed by the doctor to move his head into several positions. Next, she will have the patient lie on his side with his head at a certain angle for a few moments before he sits back up.

    Home Treatment

    • The patient will be instructed on how to perform exercises at home. He should expect results after several repetitions.

    Considerations

    • Canalith repositioning may cause short-term dizziness and nausea. Any head or neck injuries should be reported to the physician, as the procedure could aggravate them.

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