POTS: Understanding Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome
An educational article from Anttz Family Chiropractic
Have you ever felt dizzy, lightheaded, or as though your heart is racing when you stand up? For some people, these symptoms are more than an occasional inconvenience. They may be signs of Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS), a condition that affects the way the body regulates heart rate, blood flow, and other automatic functions.
At Anttz Family Chiropractic, we believe that understanding your body is an important part of taking care of your health. In this article, we explain what POTS is, some of the symptoms people may experience, and how a supportive, individualised approach to care may fit alongside appropriate medical management.
What is POTS?
POTS is a form of dysautonomia, a group of conditions involving the autonomic nervous system. This system helps regulate functions that happen automatically, such as heart rate, blood pressure, digestion, and temperature control.
In people with POTS, moving from lying down to standing can cause an unusually large increase in heart rate. In adults, the diagnostic criterion commonly used is an increase of at least 30 beats per minute within 10 minutes of standing, without a significant drop in blood pressure. The threshold for adolescents is generally 40 beats per minute.
POTS is not simply a fast heartbeat. It is a complex condition involving the body's response to being upright, and symptoms can vary considerably from one person to another.
What symptoms can POTS cause?
POTS can affect several systems in the body. Common symptoms may include:
Heart and circulation
Racing heart, palpitations, dizziness, and feeling faint when upright.
Energy and concentration
Fatigue, brain fog, difficulty concentrating, and reduced stamina.
Temperature regulation
Feeling unusually hot or cold, sweating changes, or difficulty regulating body temperature.
Digestive symptoms
Nausea, bloating, abdominal discomfort, or changes in digestion.
Some people find that symptoms worsen after standing for long periods, in warm environments, after meals, or during illness. Others may experience significant limitations with everyday activities.
Why can POTS be difficult to diagnose?
POTS symptoms can overlap with several other conditions. People may experience dizziness, fatigue, palpitations, or brain fog without immediately knowing why.
The diagnosis can therefore take time, and some people report visiting several healthcare professionals before receiving an explanation for their symptoms. A proper assessment is important because similar symptoms can have different causes.
If you suspect you may have POTS, speak with your GP or an appropriate healthcare professional. Diagnosis and treatment should be guided by a qualified medical team.
The autonomic nervous system and POTS
The autonomic nervous system is often described as having two main branches:
The sympathetic nervous system
Helps the body respond to activity, stress, and increased demands.
The parasympathetic nervous system
Supports rest, digestion, and recovery.
These systems work together to help maintain balance in the body. In POTS, the regulation of circulation and other automatic functions can be disrupted, particularly when a person moves into an upright position.
The vagus nerve is an important part of the parasympathetic nervous system and is involved in communication between the brain and many organs, including the heart and digestive tract. It is one part of the wider autonomic network, but POTS is a complex condition and cannot be explained by a single nerve or spinal segment.
Can chiropractic care help people with POTS?
At Anttz Family Chiropractic, we recognise that people living with POTS may benefit from care that considers the whole person, including their nervous system, musculoskeletal health, lifestyle, and individual needs.
Chiropractic care may help some people manage co-existing musculoskeletal symptoms, such as neck or back discomfort, which can be particularly relevant when fatigue, reduced activity, or prolonged periods of rest affect daily life. Gentle, individualised care may also support comfort and movement where appropriate.
However, there is currently insufficient high-quality evidence to conclude that chiropractic adjustments treat or cure POTS itself. Claims that adjusting a particular spinal bone can directly restore vagal tone or resolve POTS are not established by robust clinical research.
For this reason, chiropractic care should be viewed as complementary support rather than a replacement for medical assessment or treatment. Any approach should be adapted to the person's symptoms, tolerance, and clinical needs.
A collaborative approach to care
Living with POTS can be frustrating, especially when symptoms are invisible or misunderstood. A supportive approach may include:
- Working with your GP or specialist to obtain an appropriate diagnosis and treatment plan.
- Understanding your individual triggers, limitations, and energy levels.
- Using pacing and gradual activity as advised by your healthcare team.
- Addressing musculoskeletal discomfort with care that is appropriate for your condition.
- Reviewing progress regularly and adapting care when symptoms or needs change.
At Anttz Family Chiropractic, we aim to listen carefully, understand your concerns, and work within a collaborative model of care. If you have POTS, any chiropractic assessment should take your diagnosis, symptoms, medication, and medical advice into account.
When should you seek medical advice?
If you regularly experience dizziness, fainting, a racing heart, or significant fatigue when standing, it is important to seek medical advice rather than assume the symptoms are caused by POTS.
Seek urgent medical attention if you experience chest pain, severe breathlessness, fainting during exertion, or a sudden or sustained racing heartbeat accompanied by feeling seriously unwell.
References and further reading
This article is for educational purposes only and does not replace medical diagnosis or treatment. POTS should be assessed and managed by an appropriately qualified healthcare professional.
Talk to us
Would you like to discuss how we can support your musculoskeletal health alongside your existing POTS care? Contact Anttz Family Chiropractic to arrange an appointment or an initial conversation about your needs.