Are You Struggling with Dysautonomia/ POTS? Get Expert Help Today!
Our Unique Approach to POTS and Dysautonomia
At our clinic, we recognize that POTS and other forms of Dysautonomia are complex conditions affecting multiple systems in the body. Rather than just managing symptoms, we take a functional, brain-based approach to restore autonomic balance and improve your quality of life. Through targeted neurological rehabilitation, lifestyle modifications, and personalized therapy, we aim to enhance your body’s ability to
regulate heart rate, blood pressure, and circulation more effectively.
By addressing the underlying nervous system dysfunction, we strive to help you regain energy, stability, and daily function so you can return to the activities you love with greater confidence.
Comprehensive Autonomic Evaluation
Understanding the complexity of POTS and Dysautonomia starts with a detailed assessment. Dr. Ioannidis conducts a thorough neurological and autonomic evaluation to identify dysfunctions in the brain, nervous system, and cardiovascular regulation. This may involve testing heart rate variability, blood pressure
responses, balance control, and sensory processing to get a full picture of your condition.
Individualized Care Plan
Every patient’s experience with Dysautonomia is unique, which is why we design customized treatment strategies focused on stabilizing autonomic function, reducing symptoms, and improving daily endurance. Rather than a one-size-fits-all approach, we create a plan based on your specific triggers, symptoms, and nervous system patterns.
Neurological and Autonomic Rehabilitation
We apply advanced chiropractic neurology and functional rehabilitation techniques to support autonomic balance and nervous system regulation. Treatment may include:
Autonomic Retraining Therapy: Exercises to help regulate blood flow, heart rate, and circulation responses.
Brain-Based Exercises: Designed to enhance communication between the brain and autonomic nervous system.
Balance & Sensory Integration Therapy: Techniques to improve blood pressure control, circulation, and nervous system stability.
Visual and Vestibular Rehabilitation: Targeted exercises to improve visual tracking, postural control, and dizziness management as related to Dysautonomias.
Lifestyle and Nutritional Optimization
Autonomic health is influenced by daily habits, hydration, nutrition, and stress levels. We provide guidance on dietary changes, salt and electrolyte intake, exercise pacing, and nervous system recovery techniques to complement your treatment.
Continuous Support and Progress Tracking
Because autonomic recovery takes time, we provide ongoing monitoring and care adjustments to ensure optimal improvement. Our goal is to help you regain confidence in daily activities, increase stamina, and restore autonomic stability over time.
Conditions We Support
- Orthostatic Hypotension
- Vasovagal Syncope
- Autonomic Neuropathy
- Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS)
- Chronic Fatigue Related to Autonomic Dysfunction
Frequently Asked Questions About POTS & Dysautonomia
What is POTS?
Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS) is a form of dysautonomia that affects the autonomic nervous system — the system that automatically regulates functions such as heart rate, blood pressure, circulation, digestion, sweating and temperature regulation.
A key feature of POTS is an excessive increase in heart rate when moving from lying down to an upright position. Symptoms vary considerably and can affect many aspects of daily life.
What are the most common symptoms of POTS and dysautonomia?
Common symptoms include dizziness or lightheadedness when standing, rapid heart rate or palpitations, fatigue, exercise intolerance, brain fog, headaches, nausea, digestive problems, shortness of breath, shakiness, temperature intolerance and feeling faint
Symptoms may worsen with prolonged standing, heat, dehydration, illness, physical exertion or other forms of physiological stress.
Why do I feel dizzy, weak or lightheaded when I stand up?
When you stand, gravity shifts blood toward the lower body. Normally, the autonomic nervous system quickly adjusts heart rate, blood vessels and circulation to maintain adequate blood flow.
With POTS or orthostatic intolerance, these adjustments may not occur normally, contributing to dizziness, lightheadedness, rapid heart rate, weakness, brain fog or feeling faint. Because other conditions can cause similar symptoms, proper medical evaluation is important.
How is POTS diagnosed?
POTS is typically evaluated by measuring heart rate and blood pressure while lying down and after moving upright, using an active standing test or head-up tilt table test.
In adults, a commonly used criterion is a sustained heart rate increase of at least 30 beats per minute within 10 minutes of standing or upright tilt, without the blood pressure drop that defines orthostatic hypotension. Different criteria apply to adolescents.
Because POTS symptoms can overlap with other conditions, additional medical testing may be necessary to rule out alternative causes.
Can POTS develop after COVID-19, another infection or illness?
Yes. POTS and other forms of autonomic dysfunction can sometimes develop following an infection or significant illness, and POTS has also been reported in association with Long COVID.
There is no single cause of POTS. Different underlying mechanisms and associated conditions can contribute to similar symptoms, making individualized assessment important.
Is POTS just anxiety?
No. POTS is a physiological disorder involving abnormal responses to being upright and is not simply caused by anxiety.
Symptoms such as rapid heart rate, sweating, shaking, shortness of breath and lightheadedness can resemble anxiety, which may contribute to confusion or delayed recognition. Stress can influence autonomic symptoms, but this does not mean POTS itself is simply psychological.
Can rehabilitation help with POTS and dysautonomia?
Rehabilitation can be an important part of POTS and dysautonomia management for appropriately selected patients.
Because exercise and upright activity may initially trigger symptoms, rehabilitation can begin gradually with lying, seated or recumbent activities before progressing toward more upright exercise as tolerated.
The goal is to improve physical conditioning, exercise tolerance and the ability to perform everyday activities without simply pushing through symptoms.
What does POTS and dysautonomia rehabilitation at Cerebral involve?
At Cerebral Health and Spine Care, POTS and dysautonomia rehabilitation is individualized according to each patient’s history, symptoms, examination findings and tolerance to activity.
Depending on the individual, assessment may include orthostatic responses, balance, eye movements, vestibular function and physical conditioning. Rehabilitation can then progress from more tolerable lying or seated activities toward increasingly upright exercise and functional activity.
Our goal is to help patients gradually improve their tolerance for standing, exercise and everyday activities.
Do I need to exercise if I have POTS?
Exercise and physical reconditioning are commonly included in POTS management, but the appropriate starting point varies between patients.
For people who have difficulty tolerating upright activity, rehabilitation may begin with lower-intensity or recumbent exercise and gradually progress according to symptoms and tolerance. Exercise recommendations should be individualized, particularly when significant symptoms or other medical conditions are present.
What other treatments are commonly used to manage POTS?
POTS management is often multidisciplinary and individualized. Depending on the patient and medical recommendations, treatment may include hydration, increased dietary sodium when medically appropriate, compression garments, lifestyle modifications, medications and structured rehabilitation or exercise.
There is no single treatment that works for everyone. Changes involving medications, salt or fluid intake should be discussed with an appropriate healthcare provider.
Can POTS get better?
Many people with POTS can experience meaningful improvements in symptoms and function, although recovery varies between individuals.
Some people improve substantially, while others experience periods of improvement and symptom flare-ups. Management often involves identifying aggravating factors and combining appropriate medical care, lifestyle strategies and individualized rehabilitation.
Do I need a POTS diagnosis before coming to Cerebral Health and Spine Care?
Not necessarily. Some patients come to Cerebral with an existing POTS or dysautonomia diagnosis, while others are experiencing dizziness, lightheadedness, fatigue, brain fog, exercise intolerance or difficulty standing and are still searching for answers.
When medical investigation or formal diagnosis is required, patients should work with their family physician or appropriate medical specialist while rehabilitation needs are addressed within our scope of care.
Where can I get help for POTS and dysautonomia in London, Ontario?
Cerebral Health and Spine Care in London, Ontario provides individualized assessment and rehabilitation for people experiencing POTS, dysautonomia and orthostatic intolerance-related symptoms.
Our approach focuses on identifying factors that may be limiting a patient’s ability to tolerate standing, exercise and everyday activities, then gradually progressing rehabilitation according to their response and functional goals.
Because POTS can be complex, some patients benefit from collaborative care involving their family physician, cardiologist, neurologist or other healthcare providers alongside rehabilitation.
Take the First Step Toward Recovery
Don’t wait for symptoms to get worse. Early intervention makes all the difference. Book your comprehensive evaluation today and get a personalized plan to start feeling better, thinking clearer, and moving with confidence.
Contact Us
We would love to speak with you.
Feel free to reach out using the below details.