Is Your BPPV Gone After the Epley Maneuver? Here’s How to Tell

May 5, 2026

If you’ve been using the Epley Maneuver to treat your vertigo, you might be asking:

“Is my BPPV actually gone… or am I just feeling a little better?”

This is one of the most common points of confusion when treating Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV), and getting it wrong can either delay your recovery or cause unnecessary treatment.

The Step Most People Miss

After performing the Epley Maneuver, many people:

• Assume they’re cured because symptoms improved
  or
• Keep treating even when the BPPV is already gone

The problem?
👉 They don’t re-test.

The Dix-Hallpike test is what tells you whether your BPPV is still present and what you should do next.

What Should Happen After You Re-Test

Once you perform the Dix-Hallpike again, one of three things will happen:

1. Your BPPV Is Improved… But Not Gone

You may notice:

• Less intense vertigo
• Shorter duration of symptoms

This is a good sign—you’re making progress.

✅ What to do:
Continue treating with the Epley Maneuver until the test is completely negative.

2. Your BPPV Has Shifted (Canal Conversion)

In some cases, the crystals move into a different canal—most commonly the horizontal canal.

You might notice:

• A change in how the vertigo feels
• Different eye movements during testing

⚠️ What to do:
The Epley Maneuver is no longer the correct treatment. You’ll need a different approach for horizontal canal BPPV.

3. Your BPPV Is Gone

This is what you’re aiming for.

You’ll notice:

• No vertigo during testing
• No abnormal eye movements

🎉 What to do:
Now you’re ready to move on to:

• Vestibular rehab exercises
• Balance training

These help your system fully recover and reduce lingering symptoms.

The Most Important Rule: Test → Treat → Retest

If there’s one takeaway, it’s this:

👉 Don’t skip the re-test.

This simple process ensures you’re always doing the right thing:

1. Test (Dix-Hallpike)
2. Treat (Epley, if needed)
3. Retest

Skipping this step is the #1 mistake people make when trying to treat vertigo at home.

Want a Step-by-Step Walkthrough?

If you want to see exactly how to:

• Re-test properly
• Recognize which outcome you’re experiencing
• Know what to do next

👉 Watch the full video here:
https://youtu.be/_9-7FXXn23Q (or click the video image below)

Still Dealing with Vertigo? Here’s What to Do Next

If you’re still unsure what you’re experiencing, or your symptoms aren’t improving, it may help to get a more specific evaluation.

If you’re near Spokane Valley, WA working with a vestibular specialist can help you:

• Identify exactly which canal is involved
• Make sure you’re using the correct treatment
• Progress safely into rehab once the BPPV is resolved

At Gordon Physical Therapy, we work with people dealing with vertigo every day and help guide them through this exact process.

👉 Call or text us today to get started with one of our vertigo experts!