To help you keep your balance and sense of position in relation to what's around you, your body uses a system that includes your skin, nerves, eyes and ... believe it or not ... your ears.
Deep inside each ear is a complex system of little tubes.
And inside the tubes are tiny stones.
As you move your head and body, the little stones move around and send signals to your brain that help you know your position and keep your balance.
But if those little stones move into the wrong tube or become stuck, your brain doesn't get the right signals, and that can make you feel like you're spinning.
This is vertigo.
So to move the tiny stones back to the right place, your doctor can use a simple procedure called the Epley maneuver.
It only takes a few minutes and can be done right in the doctor's office.
Here's how it works ...
You sit on the exam table with your legs out in front of you.
Your doctor turns your head to one side and then guides you back quickly until your shoulders are on the table and your head is hanging over the edge.
You stay in this position for about 30 seconds or until your vertigo stops.
Then, without lifting your head, your doctor turns your head to the other side and holds that position for about 30 seconds or until your vertigo stops.
Then your body is rolled onto its side and held for about 30 seconds or until the vertigo stops.
Finally, your doctor helps you sit back up with your legs hanging off the table.
If you get vertigo often, ask your doctor about a way for you to do the Epley maneuver on your own to stop your vertigo.
