How to Diagnose & Treat Horizontal Canal Vertigo (BPPV)

March 5, 2021

Horizontal canal BPPV can be much more difficult to diagnose and treat than posterior canal BPPV, and it’s also much less common (which is great!).

If you think you have horizontal canal BPPV, which is characterized by horizontal “nystagmus”, your first step in getting rid of the vertigo is to figure out 2 things: what side is affected (left or right) and if you’re dealing with particles floating in the canal (canalithiasis) or particles stuck to the cupula (cupulolithiasis).

This sounds confusing, I know, but I’ll explain everything in the first video below!

In the second video, I’ll then explain how to treat horizontal canal BPPV using the Gufoni Maneuver. 

I’ll also share a nice little trick to help you keep the treatment guidelines clear by using an accronym for the 2 different types of horizontal canal vertigo.

Again, this is a tricky topic to present, so if you have any questions about diagnosing and treating horizontal canal vertigo, make sure you reach out to one of our PTs at the clinic!

Just give us a call at (509) 892-5442, and we’ll do our best to help you out 🙂

– Luke Gordon, DPT (Doctor of Physical Therapy, Owner of Gordon Physical Therapy)

Here’s the first video about how to diagnose horizontal canal BPPV:

And here’s the second video about how to treat horizontal canal BPPV with the Gufoni Maneuver: