What Exercises Can You Do for Vertigo?

When a person has a sensation of dizziness that involves a false feeling of moving and spinning surroundings, it is known as vertigo, says Medical News Today. The Romberg exercise, standing sway exercises and marching in place are beginner exercises that help improve the imbalance caused by vertigo, states Cigna. The Romberg exercise involves standing while keeping the feet together and arms at the body's side, notes Abington Jefferson Health. The Epley maneuver is an intermediate exercise that is most effective for those suffering with benign paroxysmal positional vertigo. This exercise should be done three times daily.

The Brandt-Daroff exercise aims to control the symptoms of vertigo by accelerating the process of compensation, in which the brain learns to disregard incorrect motion-detecting signals coming from the inner ear, explains WebMD. The inner ear often sends false signals when it is injured or affected by a disease. These signals clash against other signals sent by the body’s balance centers, leading to vertigo.

While maintaining the lying position on a single side of the body, keep the nose pointed upward at an angle of 45 degrees, instructs WebMD. Stay in this position until the vertigo improves, and resume the sitting position afterward. Physical therapists typically advise people with vertigo to perform several repetitions of the Brandt-Daroff exercise twice a day.

The Brandt-Daroff exercise is usually recommended for individuals with benign paroxysmal positional vertigo, states WebMD. While the exercise cannot cure vertigo, it can decrease the occurrence of symptoms. People may experience disappearing symptoms during an exercise session. Doctors advise using the exercise regularly for several weeks or months to improve symptoms.