Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (Pots) is what causes head rushes when someone stands up too quickly and needs to sit back down.
Postural refers to your body’s position.
Orthostatic: Standing upright
Tachycardia: rapid heartbeat
Syndrome: a group of symptoms
Every upper cervical chiropractor has heard of these “head rushes” caused by rising up too rapidly. This head rush, also known as orthostatic hypotension (a transient drop in blood pressure caused by standing upright), usually subsides when you sit back down and is not cause for alarm. Understanding this mechanism, on the other hand, can help us understand the nervous system’s vital role.
Gravity pushes more blood into the bottom portion of the body as we stand. The body initiates multiple nervous system reactions to ensure enough blood reaches the brain in a healthy person. One example is the release of hormones that assist tighten blood vessels and induce a little rise in heart rate. This improves blood flow to the heart and brain. These nervous system reactions return to normal after the brain receives enough blood and oxygen.
People with POTS have blood vessels that do not respond adequately to the signal to tighten for unknown causes that vary from person to person. As a result, the more time you spend standing, the more blood collects in, the lower half of your body. This results in insufficient blood returning to the brain, which causes lightheadedness (fainting), brain fog, and exhaustion. The heart rate rises as the nervous system releases adrenaline and norepinephrine to tighten the blood vessels. This can result in shakiness, rapid or skipped heartbeats, and chest pain.
There are two types of nervous systems in our bodies, the somatic and the autonomic. Our skeletal muscles and movements are controlled by the somatic nervous system. On the other hand, the autonomic nervous system regulates the body’s automatic functions that we do not consciously think about or control. These include pupil dilation and constriction, temperature management, kidney function, digestion, blood pressure, and heart rate. The brainstem and spinal cord govern these functions.
Consider what would happen if the mechanism for detecting and correcting changes in temperature and blood pressure, and so on, did not always work effectively. That is what is happening with POTS patients.
Dysautonomia is an umbrella term for many illnesses resulting in autonomic nervous system failure. People suffering from dysautonomia encounter significant and unwelcome changes in this function. As a result, individuals frequently experience intestinal difficulties, malnutrition, bladder, headache, palpitations, irregular heart rate, unstable blood pressure, cold extremities, fainting, dizziness, and exhaustion.
POTS (postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome) is a type of dysautonomia. POTS is a type of orthostatic intolerance (feeling debilitated, exhausted, nauseous, lightheaded, or faint) characterized by excessive tachycardia (rapid heart rate) and a variety of additional symptoms when sitting or standing upright.
POTS and other dysautonomia disorders have mostly unknown origins. Many terminologies are used to explain the origins of these signs and symptoms, including “idiopathic” (unknown cause) and “heterogeneous” (many causes). Because dysautonomia is a catch-all term for general autonomic nerve system failure, its signs and symptoms may potentially be caused by a separate underlying illness.
POTS patients frequently suffer from a variety of musculoskeletal issues.
Because the underlying cause of dysautonomia and Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (Pots) is unknown, many treatment strategies focus on controlling individual symptoms and enhancing the quality of life. Prescription medications, IV fluids, and elevating the head in the bed are all recommended treatments for orthostatic hypotension. Doctors frequently prescribe fludrocortisone or midodrine.
Changes in diet (increased salt intake, reduced sugar, and caffeine intake, maintained hydration, reduced overeating, etc.) may also be beneficial. Other symptoms of dysautonomia respond nicely to frequent exercise and following a consistent sleep schedule. Psychotherapy and counseling may also assist dysautonomia patients in coping with the challenges of their condition.
At Jane’s Spinal Care, our first goal as upper cervical practitioners is to keep the head and neck aligned. The brainstem is surrounded by the top two bones in the neck, C1, and C2, as it descends into the base of the skull. As long as these bones remain aligned, they do an excellent job of safeguarding the brainstem and accompanying nerves. They can strain and distort the tissue in the area when they misalign. Muscles, ligaments, blood arteries, cerebrospinal fluid channels, and nerves are examples of these tissues.
As previously stated, the brainstem houses multiple essential processing regions within the autonomic nervous system. The medulla, or bottom part of the brainstem, houses the body’s cardiac, respiratory, and vasomotor centers. These centers have direct control over things like heart rate and blood pressure, which are the same systems in which dysautonomia individuals exhibit symptoms.
Though more research is needed, the proximity of the upper cervical spine to these control centers demonstrates how an upper cervical misalignment could impair their capacity to function appropriately. While each case is different, our practice has seen significant and positive effects in POTS and dysautonomia patients by correcting upper cervical spine positions. This mechanical defect may be the missing link in POTS and other related disorders.
At Jane’s Spinal Care, we take a whole-body approach to helping our patients with their various medical concerns. Our goal is to help treat and assist you with any of your alignments, including Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (Pots). We work with our patients to ensure they have the best care possible in the least amount of visits. We don’t want you to continue to see us, should you not need to. Unlike other chiropractors, our approach is different. We understand that life is busy, and while chiropractic care is important, it isn’t something you want to continue daily.
If you have suffered from Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (Pots) and are looking for a more natural and holistic solution, contact us to find out more.
Janes Spinal Care offers personalized care as a part of our full chiropractic services. Contact our team of chiropractic professionals today to schedule your consultation!
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850C Wade Hampton Blvd Suite 2-C, Greenville, SC 29609
