7 Home Remedies for Vertigo | Natural Dizziness Relief

As someone who wrestles daily with Meniere’s disease, I understand the struggle that vertigo can introduce into daily life.

It can make it challenging to work, to take care of your family and home, heck, even to take a shower at times! That’s why it’s always helpful to have a few home remedies for vertigo up your sleeve.

Understanding Vertigo

Vertigo episodes are characterized by a spinning sensation, where an individual feels as if either they or their surroundings are moving when there’s no actual movement. Vertigo attacks can be a standalone experience or a symptom of a variety of underlying health conditions.

Identifying Vertigo Symptoms and Causes

The symptoms of vertigo episodes typically include dizziness, a spinning sensation (known as severe vertigo), balance problems, nausea, and vomiting. These vertigo attacks can be triggered by changes in the position of your head, but aren’t always.

Common causes of vertigo include inner ear disorders such as benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV), which affects the semicircular canals of your inner ear, and vestibular neuritis, an inflammation of the vestibular nerve. An underlying medical condition, or head and neck injuries, may also lead to vertigo.

BPPV is identified as the most common type of vertigo and is frequently triggered by specific changes in the position of the head. This type of vertigo is generally short-lived, with vertigo episodes typically lasting less than one minute, and are commonly referred to as “vertigo attacks.”

Differentiating Types of Vertigo

There are primarily two types of vertigo: peripheral and central.

Peripheral vertigo is related to problems in the inner ear, such as benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV), Meniere’s disease, and vestibular neuritis. The inner ear’s role in balance and spatial orientation makes it a common source of peripheral vertigo when issues arise.

On the other hand, central vertigo is associated with problems in the brain, such as tumors or stroke.

• Peripheral Vertigo: Most commonly due to BPPV, Meniere’s disease, or vestibular neuritis.
• Central Vertigo: Typically caused by more severe health issues involving the brain.

Understanding the underlying causes of vertigo is crucial as it directs your treatment approach. For instance, BPPV is treated with specific maneuvers, while Meniere’s disease may require dietary changes and medication.

Be sure to consult with your healthcare provider if you experience frequent bouts of vertigo to help determine the underlying cause.

Home Remedies For Vertigo

When dealing with vertigo, most people seek immediate relief from the unsettling sensation of the world spinning around them. Home remedies for vertigo, such as exercises, acupressure on pressure points, and lifestyle adjustments, can help alleviate the symptoms of vertigo and can sometimes even be managed without the need for medical intervention.

Simple Remedies to Alleviate Vertigo

Ginger is one of the natural remedies frequently documented for its potential to reduce vertigo symptoms. Sipping on ginger tea or chewing raw ginger root may help ease the nausea that often accompanies vertigo.

Don’t have the time or patience to rummage around your kitchen? The use of essential oil home remedies like peppermint or lavender, either diffused into the air or quickly applied to pressure points like the neck, chest, inner elbow, wrists, temples or behind the ears, may also provide a calming effect.

• Ginger Tea or Ginger Root: May reduce nausea associated with vertigo.
• Essential Oils: Can be inhaled or applied topically for potential symptom relief.

Exercises and Techniques for Relief

Certain exercises have been proven to be effective home remedies for vertigo symptoms.

Brandt-Daroff Exercises

Designed to help with Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV), Brandt-Daroff exercises involve a series of specific head movements that can be done at home to reposition particles in the ear that cause vertigo.

To perform Brandt-Daroff exercises, use the following steps:

1. Start in an upright, seated position on the edge of your bed or a couch.
2. Move into the lying position on one side with your nose pointed up at about a 45-degree angle.
3. Remain in this position for about 30 seconds or until any dizziness subsides.
4. Return to the seated position and wait for another 30 seconds.
5. Repeat the same process on the other side.

These exercises are typically done in a set of five repetitions for each side, and they can be performed several times a day. It’s important to perform these exercises safely and to consult with a healthcare provider if you have any concerns or if vertigo symptoms persist.

Semont Maneuver

Similarly, the Semont Maneuver is another technique which should ideally be performed initially with a healthcare provider, but then can be taught to individuals for self-treatment. The Semont Maneuver is a procedure used to treat Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV), particularly when the otoliths (canaliths) are in the posterior semicircular canals of your inner ear.

Here is a step-by-step guide to performing the Semont Maneuver:

1. Start by sitting upright on the edge of a bed. Turn your head 45 degrees to the side opposite of the affected ear. (So if your right ear is affected, turn your head to the left and vice versa.)
2. Quickly lie down on the side that you have turned your head towards. This means if you turned your head to the left, lie down quickly on your left side. Your head should still be at a 45-degree angle, so you’re looking at the ceiling. Stay in this position for about 30 seconds to a minute, or until any dizziness subsides.
3. Quickly move to lie down on the opposite side of your body. Do not change the position of your head relative to your shoulders; keep it at a 45-degree angle. As you move, your head will now be looking downward towards the bed. Hold this position again for 30 seconds to a minute, or until any dizziness subsides.
4. Slowly return to the sitting position and remain still for a few moments.

The Semont Maneuver is designed to move the canaliths out of the semicircular canal and into an area of the inner ear where they will not cause vertigo symptoms.

It is recommended to have a healthcare professional guide you through the maneuver the first time to ensure it is done correctly and safely. After the maneuver, you might be advised to avoid certain positions for a while to prevent the canaliths from returning to the semicircular canals of your inner ear.

For a detailed demonstration, you can refer to the video “Liberatory Semont Maneuver for Right BPPV” if the right ear is affected, or “Liberatory Semont Maneuver for Left BPPV” if the left ear is affected. Always consult with a healthcare provider before attempting the Semont Maneuver on your own.

Epley Maneuver

The Epley Maneuver is very similar to the Brandt-Daroff exercise but more challenging . While many people perform it in their home, it’s safer to perform the Epley maneuver only in a clinical setting with a doctor or another healthcare provider.

Use the following steps to perform the Epley Maneuver:

1. Sit on the edge of your bed: Start by sitting upright on the edge of your bed, with your legs extended in front of you and a pillow behind you so that when you lie back it will be under your shoulders.
2. Turn your head to the affected side: Turn your head 45 degrees toward the side that is causing the vertigo (the side that produced dizziness).
3. Lie back quickly: Quickly lie back, keeping your head turned. Your shoulders should now be on the pillow, and your head should be reclined. Wait for 30 seconds or until any dizziness subsides.
4. Turn your head to the opposite side: Without raising it, turn your head 90 degrees to the opposite side. Hold this position for another 30 seconds.
5. Roll onto your side: Turn your body and head another 90 degrees in the same direction, so you’re now looking down at the floor. Hold this position for another 30 seconds.
6. Sit up slowly: Slowly sit up, but remain on the bed for a few minutes.

If your right ear is affected, you will turn your head to the right in step 2 and then to the left in step 4. If your left ear is affected, you will turn your head to the left in step 2 and then to the right in step 4.

Similar to the Semont Maneuver, it’s recommended to have a healthcare professional guide you through the Epley Maneuver the first time to ensure it is done correctly and safely and to advise you of certain positions to avoid after performing the maneuver.

For a visual guide, you can watch the “Epley Maneuver to Treat BPPV Vertigo” video on YouTube. Always consult with a healthcare provider before attempting the Epley Maneuver on your own.

All of these exercises are considered a part of vestibular rehabilitation designed to restore balance.

• Brandt-Daroff Exercises: Involve sitting, lying, and turning to manage vertigo.
• Semont Maneuver: Includes rapid movement from lying on one side to the other.
• Epley Maneuver: Involves lying and rapid turning to manage vertigo.

Accupressure For Pressure Points

Massaging pressure points may also help alleviate the symptoms of vertigo for some people. Acupressure, which involves applying pressure to specific pressure points on the body, is a technique derived from traditional Chinese medicine that is thought to stimulate the body’s natural self-healing abilities.

There are several pressure points that are believed to be beneficial for vertigo, including:

1. PC6 (Pericardium 6 or Neiguan): Located on the inner forearm, three finger breadths below the wrist between the tendons. Massaging this point is traditionally used to relieve nausea and vomiting, which can accompany vertigo.
2. GB20 (Gallbladder 20 or Fengchi): Found at the base of the skull, in the hollow between the neck muscles, just below where the skull joins the neck. Applying pressure here is thought to help with headaches and dizziness (Acupressure for Vertigo Relief: 3 Basic Pressure Points to Try).

While massaging pressure points may provide relief for some individuals, it’s important to note that it should not replace conventional medical treatment for vertigo.

If you experience frequent vertigo episodes, it’s advisable to consult with a healthcare professional for a proper diagnosis and vertigo treatment plan based on your individual health conditions. Acupressure can be used as a complementary therapy in consultation with your healthcare provider.

Preventative Measures and Lifestyle Adjustments

Preventative strategies focus on the underlying cause and long-term management of vertigo.

Ensuring adequate water intake throughout the day helps maintain good blood flow, which can be beneficial to curbing symptoms of vertigo. Home remedies such as yoga or tai chi can also help improve general balance problems and reduce the risk of falls associated with vertigo.

Research also suggests that ginkgo biloba extract, such as EGb 761, may be effective in reducing symptoms of vertigo. 

However, it’s important to note that while studies suggest potential benefits, Ginkgo biloba may not be effective for everyone and should not replace conventional treatment methods. It’s always recommended to consult with a healthcare provider before starting any new vertigo treatment, including herbal supplements like ginkgo biloba, to ensure it’s appropriate for your individual health needs and to avoid any potential interactions with other medications.

For more persistent or severe vertigo episodes, a treatment plan developed with a physical therapist or healthcare provider can offer tailored advice and exercises to manage symptoms.

• Water Intake: Drinking plenty of water may improve blood flow and balance.
• Yoga or Tai Chi: Engaging in gentle exercises can improve stability and prevent future episodes.
• Ginkgo biloba: Offers potential relief of chronic vertigo symptoms.

Healthcare Provider Options For Symptoms of Vertigo

Experiencing vertigo symptoms on a regular basis? Several types of healthcare providers can assist in vertigo treatment, depending on its cause and severity:

1. Primary Care Physicians (PCPs): They can perform initial evaluations and manage many cases of vertigo. They may also refer patients to specialists if needed.
2. Otolaryngologists (ENT Specialists): These are ear, nose, and throat doctors who specialize in disorders of the ear, including vertigo. They can perform detailed examinations of the ear and related structures.
3. Neurologists: Since vertigo can sometimes be related to problems in the brain or nervous system, a neurologist may be involved in the treatment, particularly if the vertigo is central rather than peripheral.
4. Audiologists: These professionals specialize in hearing and balance disorders and can conduct tests to evaluate the function of the inner ear.
5. Vestibular Rehabilitation Therapists: These are physical therapists who specialize in treating balance disorders through vestibular rehabilitation therapy.
6. Neurotologists: They are sub-specialists of otolaryngology who focus on neurological conditions affecting the ear, including balance disorders.
7. Physical Therapist: A physical therapist trained in vestibular rehabilitation can perform specific maneuvers and exercises designed to alleviate symptoms of vertigo. Vestibular rehabilitation therapy (VRT) may include exercises to improve balance problems, gaze stabilization, and other techniques to help retrain the brain to compensate for changes in the vestibular system 

It’s important to seek help from the right healthcare provider based on the symptoms and suspected cause of vertigo. They can provide a proper diagnosis and recommend an appropriate treatment plan.

Did we miss any home remedies for vertigo symptoms? Are there any other quick or long-term solutions you swear by? Be sure to share in the comments!

And friend, you’ve got this!

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