The half somersault maneuver for vertigo has become very popular lately. I meet many patients who have attempted to perform this maneuver on themselves by watching YouTube videos online or reading it in a book.
The half somersault maneuver is also called the “Foster maneuver” because it was first published by Carol Foster, MD. Dr. Foster wrote in her book that she has a history of Ménière’s disease and performed the half somersault maneuver on herself to resolve her own BPPV recurrence successfully.
I’ve personally purchased her book and read it. I have watched the YouTube videos on it, including the most popular one filmed by Carol Foster herself.
I’ve tried the half somersault maneuver on myself, my husband, and my patients. I have instructed patients on how to do it correctly on their own, so I’m very familiar with the half somersault maneuver.
In this blog, I will tell you my thoughts on whether the half somersault maneuver for vertigo is a good idea for you to try.
What the Half Somersault Maneuver for Vertigo Actually Treats
If you’ve done some other research, you will have read that the half somersault maneuver for vertigo treats BPPV in the posterior canal. This is true but not specific enough.
The half somersault maneuver for vertigo treats the short arm of the posterior canal.
In contrast for example, the Epley maneuver for BPPV treats the long arm of the posterior canal.
BPPV in the short arm of the posterior canal is less common than BPPV in the long arm of the posterior canal.
Click here for more information on posterior canal BPPV variants.
Challenges of the Half Somersault Maneuver for Vertigo and Why It May Not Work
Although the half somersault maneuver is relatively easy to perform if you follow the step-by-step instructions on video or in the book, there are some challenges.
First of all, you have to pick which side you think is involved. This maneuver specifically treats only one ear at a time – either right or left ear.
Similar to the Epley maneuver, you have to determine which ear is involved in order to successfully complete a half somersault treatment.
Determining the involved ear can easily puzzle novice clinicians and patients.
Learn more about whether BPPV is always worse on the affected side in this blog.
Spinal Flexibility is Needed
Another challenge of the half somersault maneuver is that you have to be flexible! It requires you to bend way forward.
If you do the maneuver seated, you have to bend far forward to put the top of your head down.
If you kneel down and do the maneuver on your knees, you have to be able to balance on your knees while you bend way forward to put the very top of your head pointing towards the ground initially.
I’ve heard from patients who have hurt themselves trying to perform this maneuver without professional guidance or supervision. I’ve also met patients who have fallen over trying to perform this maneuver on their own.
You Can Hurt Your Neck
When I performed this maneuver on my husband for treatment of BPPV, he complained of neck pain about halfway through the half somersault maneuver when you have to hold your head level with the ground while turned sideways.
Other patients who have a pre-existing neck injury have complained of neck pain during or after the half somersault maneuver also. The extended hold with the neck in an awkward position seems to trigger neck pain for many people.
The half somersault maneuver can potentially cause or exacerbate spinal injuries, which is why I don’t think you should try it.
Is the Half Somersault the Best Treatment for Posterior Canal BPPV?
No. The half somersault maneuver specifically treats the segment of the posterior canal called the short arm. However, most posterior canal BPPV occurs in the long arm segment of the canal.
Therefore, the half somersault maneuver will not help the majority of patients with posterior canal BPPV.
The majority of patients with posterior canal BPPV will respond better to a treatment that targets repositioning of crystals in the long arm of the canal.
Patients may make themselves feel worse if they try this maneuver but they actually have BPPV in a different segment of their posterior canal, in their opposite ear, or in another canal.
Is the Half Somersault the best treatment for BPPV in the short arm of the posterior canal?
No. Even if the patient has BPPV in the short arm of their posterior canal, I believe there is a better treatment option.
As a master clinician with over 20 years of experience and vertigo expert, I regularly use the Bow-and-Yaw maneuver for short arm posterior canal BPPV.
Why I Prefer the Bow-and-Yaw Maneuver Over the Half Somersault for Vertigo
I believe that Bow-and-Yaw maneuver is superior to the half somersault maneuver to treat BPPV in the short arm of the posterior canal BPPV.
The Bow-and-Yaw maneuver treats both the right ear and the left ear at the same time, so you don’t have to guess which side is involved.
Also research has found that the Bow-and-Yaw maneuver does not hurt the neck. I agree and have been able to use this maneuver successfully without receiving complaints of neck pain.
I regularly teach my patients to do the Bow-and-Yaw maneuver on their own at home if appropriate. I have found that patients are able to do the maneuver more easily than the half somersault, because you don’t have to hold the positions as long.
Why I Don’t Recommend the Half Somersault Maneuver for Vertigo
In conclusion, I don’t think you should try the half somersault maneuver on your own. I think the risks outweigh the benefits. I believe this maneuver is overhyped online and has become a pitfall to many patients navigating the health care system.
Even if it does turn out that you have short arm posterior canal BPPV, I think there’s a better maneuver.
In conclusion, I no longer use the half somersault maneuver on myself, on my husband, or with my patients. Now I recommend against it if a patient asks me about it.
This blog is my personal opinion. Talk to your doctor about what is right for your case.
Do I support Dr. Foster in developing her own technique and methods?
Of course! I’m glad that she was able to resolve her own BPPV.
I’ve developed my own method as well. You can learn more about The Bell Method®️ in my book.
TL;DR – Should You Try the Half Somersault Maneuver for Vertigo?
- The half somersault maneuver (aka Foster maneuver) is a popular self-treatment for BPPV (Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo).
- It specifically targets BPPV in the short arm of the posterior canal — a less common form of the condition.
- Most BPPV cases occur in the long arm of the posterior canal, making this maneuver ineffective for many patients.
- Risks include neck pain, falls, and incorrect treatment, especially if you don’t know which ear is affected.
- In my clinical experience, the Bow-and-Yaw maneuver is a safer, more effective alternative that treats both ears and causes fewer side effects.
- I no longer recommend the half somersault maneuver and advise speaking to a vertigo specialist before trying any home treatment.
Disclaimer
This blog is provided for informational and educational purposes only. The content and any comments by Dr. Kim Bell, DPT are not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. The details of any case mentioned in this post represent a typical patient that Dr. Bell might see and do not describe the circumstances of a specific individual.
