Carol Vorderman has praised a little-known therapy called the Epley technique for helping her recover after a fall that left her unconscious. The former Countdown star, 65, tripped over a tree root near her home in late May, hitting her head on a tarmac path and requiring hospitalisation.
Fall and Hospitalisation
Vorderman was walking on a public footpath outside her house when she tripped over an unseen tree root. She went "smash here on the tarmac path" and was unconscious. An ambulance took her to the Bristol Royal Infirmary (BRI). She recalled that paramedics played 'The Final Countdown' in the ambulance, which made her laugh despite the situation.
She was discharged the next day but experienced severe vomiting and other bad signs, leading to a return to A&E. CT scans were performed, and she was discharged again. The fall left her with a large black eye and bruises on her face for three to four weeks.
Dizziness and the Epley Technique
After two to three weeks, Vorderman developed dizziness, feeling as if she were walking on a moving ship and knocking into walls. When lying down, the room would spin. She sought help from a physiotherapist named Sophie at Blue Sky in Bristol Harbour, who used the Epley technique.
The Epley technique is used to treat Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV), which involves dislodged crystals in the inner ear. Vorderman explained that the treatment involved sitting upright while the physiotherapist held her and threw her back. She said, "When she did it the first time, I thought I was falling off the edge of the earth. I really did," describing her eyes as looking like a "cartoon".
Recovery and Support
After just three sessions, Vorderman was discharged and told fans she "couldn't be happier". She shared her story on Instagram, where the post received thousands of likes and supportive comments. One fan said, "OMG, thank goodness you're back to normal now, and thanks for the tip about the Epley technique, never heard of it, so good to know there's something that helps." Another wrote, "Hope you're doing well now," and a follower added, "So glad you've recovered, Carol."
Vorderman emphasised that she is not a doctor and is not advising people, but simply sharing her experience. The Epley technique is a recognised treatment for BPPV, involving a series of head movements to reposition inner ear crystals.
