Skip to main navigation Skip to main content Skip to footer For Medicare For Providers For Brokers For Employers Español For Individuals & Families: For Individuals & Families Medical Dental Other Supplemental Explore coverage through work How to Buy Health Insurance Types of Dental Insurance Open Enrollment vs. Special Enrollment See all topics Shop for Medicare plans Member Guide Find a Doctor Log in to myCigna
Home Knowledge Center Wellness Library Epley and Semont Maneuvers for Vertigo

Epley and Semont Maneuvers for Vertigo

Epley and Semont Maneuvers for Vertigo

Treatment Overview

Treatment Overview

The Epley and Semont maneuvers are exercises used to treat benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV). They are done with the help of a doctor or physical therapist. A single 10- to 15-minute session may be all that's needed.

When your head is firmly moved into different positions, the tiny calcium "stones" that cause vertigo also move. The stones will slip out of the semicircular canal into an area of the inner ear where they will no longer cause symptoms. Two maneuvers have been used successfully: the Epley maneuver and the Semont maneuver.

In some cases, your doctor or physical therapist may have you do a modified Epley procedure at home. If your doctor has shown you how and you feel confident, you can try this at home to get rid of your vertigo.

How It Is Done

How It Is Done

Epley maneuver

This maneuver is done with the assistance of a doctor or physical therapist. A single 10- to 15-minute session may be all that is needed. When your head is firmly moved into different positions, the tiny calcium "stones" that are causing vertigo should move back to where they are supposed to be and no longer cause symptoms.

  • Step 1: Lying down

  • You will sit on the doctor's exam table with your legs on the table in front of you. The doctor will turn your head so that it is halfway (45 degrees) between looking straight ahead and looking directly to the side that causes the worst vertigo. Without changing your head position, the doctor will help you to quickly lie down on your back. Your head will be lower than your shoulders. The doctor will hold you in this position for at least 20 seconds.

  • Step 2: Turning your head to the other side

  • Then the doctor will turn your head to the other side. You don't need to lift your head. The doctor will hold you in this position for at least 20 seconds.

  • Step 3: Rolling onto your side

  • The doctor will hold your head in position and help you roll your body in the same direction that your head is facing. Your face will look toward the floor. You will be lying on the same side that causes the worst vertigo. (For example, if you are looking to your right, you will roll onto your right side.) The doctor will hold you in this position for at least another 20 seconds.

  • Step 4: Sitting back up

  • The doctor will then help you to sit back up. Your legs will hang off the table on the same side that you are facing. Your doctor may repeat the steps a few times.

Semont maneuver

The Semont maneuver is done with the help of a doctor or physical therapist. A single 10- to 15-minute session may be all that is needed. When your head is firmly moved into different positions, the tiny calcium "stones" that are causing vertigo should move back to where they are supposed to be and no longer cause symptoms.

  • Sitting up

    You start by sitting up tall on the exam table. Your legs will hang off the edge.

  • Turning your head

    Next, the doctor turns your head halfway (45 degrees) toward the side that causes the least vertigo. The doctor will hold your head in this position.

  • Lying down quickly

    The doctor then lowers you quickly to the side that causes the worst vertigo. When your head is on the table, you are looking up toward the ceiling. The doctor holds you in this position for at least 20 seconds after your symptoms go away. You may be in this position for a few minutes.

  • Rising and lying on the other side

    The doctor then quickly raises you and moves you to lie on your other side, without stopping in the upright position or turning your head. When your head is on the table, you are now looking down toward the table. The doctor holds you in this position for at least 30 seconds.

  • Sitting up again

    The doctor then helps you sit back up.

What To Expect

What To Expect

The Epley and Semont maneuvers may improve or cure benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) with only one treatment. Some people need multiple treatments.

Why It Is Done

Why It Is Done

Epley and Semont maneuvers are used to treat benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV).

How Well It Works

How Well It Works

The Epley and Semont maneuvers are safe and work well to treat benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV).

Risks

Risks

These maneuvers should not be done on people with back or spine injuries or problems.

Sometimes the maneuver can move the debris from one inner ear canal to another. This can cause a different kind of vertigo.

This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Ignite Healthwise, LLC, disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Terms of Use. Learn how we develop our content.

© 2024-2025 Ignite Healthwise, LLC.

<cipublic-spinner variant="large"><span>Loading…</span></cipublic-spinner>

Page Footer

I want to...

Get an ID card File a claim View my claims and EOBs Check coverage under my plan See prescription drug list Find an in-network doctor, dentist, or facility Find a form Find 1095-B tax form information View the Cigna Glossary Contact Cigna

Audiences

Individuals and Families Medicare Employers Brokers Providers

Secure Member Sites

myCigna member portal Health Care Provider portal Cigna for Employers Client Resource Portal Cigna for Brokers

The Cigna Group Information

About Cigna Healthcare Company Profile Careers Newsroom Investors Suppliers The Cigna Group Third Party Administrators International Evernorth

 Cigna. All rights reserved.

Privacy Legal Product Disclosures Cigna Company Names Customer Rights Accessibility Non-Discrimination Notice Language Assistance [PDF] Report Fraud Sitemap Cookie Settings

Disclaimer

Individual and family medical and dental insurance plans are insured by Cigna Health and Life Insurance Company (CHLIC), Cigna HealthCare of Arizona, Inc., Cigna HealthCare of Illinois, Inc., Cigna HealthCare of Georgia, Inc., Cigna HealthCare of North Carolina, Inc., Cigna HealthCare of South Carolina, Inc., and Cigna HealthCare of Texas, Inc. Group health insurance and health benefit plans are insured or administered by CHLIC, Connecticut General Life Insurance Company (CGLIC), or their affiliates (see a listing of the legal entities that insure or administer group HMO, dental HMO, and other products or services in your state). Accidental Injury, Critical Illness, and Hospital Care plans or insurance policies are distributed exclusively by or through operating subsidiaries of Cigna Corporation, are administered by Cigna Health and Life Insurance Company, and are insured by either (i) Cigna Health and Life Insurance Company (Bloomfield, CT); (ii) Life Insurance Company of North America (“LINA”) (Philadelphia, PA); or (iii) New York Life Group Insurance Company of NY (“NYLGICNY”) (New York, NY), formerly known as Cigna Life Insurance Company of New York. The Cigna name, logo, and other Cigna marks are owned by Cigna Intellectual Property, Inc. LINA and NYLGICNY are not affiliates of Cigna.

All insurance policies and group benefit plans contain exclusions and limitations. For availability, costs and complete details of coverage, contact a licensed agent or Cigna sales representative. This website is not intended for residents of New Mexico.

Selecting these links will take you away from Cigna.com to another website, which may be a non-Cigna website. Cigna may not control the content or links of non-Cigna websites. Details