Meridian Physical Therapy

Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV) is a common inner ear disorder causing brief episodes of vertigo triggered by head position changes, due to displaced calcium crystals (otoconia or canaliths) in the semicircular canals.

Physical therapy is the primary and most effective treatment for BPPV, focusing on canalith repositioning maneuvers rather than medications (which often provide little benefit and may delay recovery).

A physical therapist first confirms the diagnosis with positional tests (like the Dix-Hallpike maneuver) to identify the affected canal and side.

The main treatments are specific head and body movements to relocate the crystals back to the utricle (where they no longer cause symptoms):

Epley maneuver (or modified versions): The most commonly used and highly effective for posterior canal BPPV (the most frequent type). It involves a sequence of head turns and position changes, often resolving symptoms in 80-90% of cases after one or a few sessions (typically 10-15 minutes each).

Semont maneuver (or Semont-Plus): A quick, liberatory technique involving rapid position shifts from sitting to lying on each side; also very effective, with comparable success rates to the Epley in many studies.

For some cases (e.g., horizontal canal BPPV or residual symptoms), other maneuvers like roll or Gufoni may be used.

If needed, therapists may teach home exercises such as:

Brandt-Daroff exercises (repeated side-lying to promote habituation and particle dispersal).

General vestibular rehabilitation (e.g., Cawthorne-Cooksey) to improve balance, gaze stability, and adaptation, especially for lingering unsteadiness.

Most patients experience rapid relief (often immediate or within days) with professional maneuvers, and recurrence can be managed with repeat treatments or self-maneuvers.

Call us today if you could benefit from treatment for BPPV!

Little late in the Season but we solved the case at our murder mystery Christmas Party, with the S Boise PT and Neuro Clinic.

Meet Kasey Vitto, PTA, CSCS

With over seven years of experience in the field, Kasey believes that movement is the foundation of a full life. She views every patient as an athlete, whether they are training for a marathon or working to garden without pain. We are all competing in the “sport of life”, and Kasey’s goal is to provide the coaching and care her patients need to stay in the game.

Kasey’s foundation in movement began at Eastern Washington University, where she competed as a double D1 athlete in soccer and track & field, earning her Bachelor’s in Exercise Science in 2013. She went on to graduate as a Physical Therapist Assistant from SFCC in 2018.

To provide the most comprehensive care, Kasey is a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) and holds advanced certifications through RockTape, specializing in hands-on interventions such as IASTM (instrumented soft tissue mobilization), taping, and cupping.

Outside of the clinic, Kasey stays busy running her own business, Kasey Vitto Fitness, where she shares her passion for strength training and functional nutrition with her clients. Her drive to stay healthy and active is fueled by her husband and two energetic boys. She is dedicated to being a mom who is fully involved in the action rather than watching from the sidelines. When she isn’t working or training, Kasey loves catching up with friends and family and enjoying delicious food around town.

Call 208-884-8323 to schedule an appointment with Kasey today!

Meet our owner, Doug Simpson, MPT, COMT, Cert DN.

Doug is a highly experienced manual physical therapist with over 30 years of clinical practice. He earned his physical therapy degree from Idaho State University and holds advanced certifications in manual therapy and dry needling.

Doug is passionate about helping patients reduce pain, restore function, and return to the activities they love. He values individualized treatment, hands-on care, and patient education as the foundation for long-term success.

Outside the clinic, Doug and his wife are the proud parents of six children. He enjoys running, hiking, camping, backpacking, and spending as much time outdoors as possible. Growing up in Idaho Falls shaped his appreciation for an active, outdoor lifestyle and continues to influence his holistic approach to patient care.

Call 208-884-8323 to schedule an appointment today!