POTS (Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome) and other forms of dysautonomia affect the autonomic nervous system, the part of your nervous system that controls involuntary functions like heart rate, blood pressure, digestion, and temperature regulation. At Van Every Family Chiropractic Center, we offer supportive care that addresses the underlying nervous system dysfunction contributing to these challenging conditions.
Dysautonomia is an umbrella term for conditions involving dysfunction of the autonomic nervous system (ANS). The ANS controls vital automatic body functions including heart rate and blood pressure regulation, breathing, digestion, temperature regulation, and sleep-wake cycles. Our doctors use Koren Specific Technique (KST) and Talsky Tonal Chiropractic (TTC), gentle, neurologically-focused approaches that help support healthier autonomic function alongside your medical team.
How POTS and Dysautonomia Show Up
POTS and dysautonomia rarely show up the same way twice. Some people feel their heart rate spike past 120 beats per minute the moment they stand up, followed by dizziness or a near faint that makes stairs and grocery aisles feel unsafe. Others notice profound fatigue and exercise intolerance, a body that can't tolerate the activity it used to handle without a second thought. Brain fog, temperature swings between too hot and too cold, digestive trouble like nausea or IBS-like symptoms, restless or unrefreshing sleep, and adrenaline surges that feel like anxiety but come from somewhere else entirely round out the picture for many patients.
Where the Spine Comes In
The autonomic nervous system is closely tied to the spine. The brainstem, home to the ANS control center, sits at the base of the skull, the vagus nerve passes directly through the upper cervical spine, the sympathetic chain runs alongside the thoracic spine, and sacral nerves contribute to parasympathetic function. When tension builds in these areas, whether from a viral illness, an injury, or accumulated life stress the body hasn't released, autonomic regulation can suffer. Gentle, precise adjustments in these areas are where our support begins.
Our INSiGHT scans, including heart rate variability testing, give us objective data on autonomic function rather than a guess, so our doctors can track improvement over time and share it with your cardiologist or neurologist.
Our Approach
We start with a comprehensive evaluation, including INSiGHT neurological scanning with HRV testing, to objectively assess your autonomic nervous system function and identify where tension is affecting the upper cervical spine, thoracic spine, and sacrum.
Using Koren Specific Technique (KST) and Talsky Tonal Chiropractic (TTC), our doctors make light, nervous system focused corrections in these areas, no cracking, popping, or forceful manipulation, so care never adds a stress response on top of what your body is already managing.
Adjusted at Your Pace
We understand POTS patients have unique needs, so our doctors can adjust you lying down if standing triggers symptoms, use no sudden movements, and proceed at a pace your nervous system can handle. Every visit is built around how you're feeling that day, not a fixed protocol, and we communicate with your other providers as needed to support your overall treatment plan.
What Patients Report
Patients often notice a more stable heart rate when changing positions, fewer near-fainting episodes, and steadier energy through the day. Better temperature regulation, improved digestion, more restful sleep, and greater tolerance for daily activities tend to follow as autonomic function settles.
We're glad to communicate with your cardiologist or other specialists, and we treat chiropractic care as one supportive piece of a larger dysautonomia management plan.
Take the First Step
If dysautonomia is running your days, our doctors in Royal Oak are glad to talk through what gentle, paced care could look like.
Common Questions
How does the spine affect the autonomic nervous system?
What types of dysautonomia do our doctors see?
Will the adjustments trigger my POTS symptoms?
Do you work with cardiologists and other specialists?
How long does it take to see improvement?
Are POTS symptoms the same as anxiety?
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