At Move for Better Health, we have a variety of allied health practitioners who are able to help you manage Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS) depending on your specific circumstances. These practitioners have additional training and attended educational conferences about POTS to bring you the most up to date information and care.
POTS is a relatively common disorder of the autonomic (‘automatic’) nervous system characterised by an excessive heart rate increase when upright. POTS can cause a variety of symptoms such as:
These symptoms are generally reduced by returning to a sitting or lying position.
Normally, when you stand up, your autonomic nervous system will coordinate your cardiovascular system to maintain blood pressure across your body. However, those who experience POTS have dysregulation of this system (dysautonomia) which often leaves the body unable to keep blood pressure stable. Consequently, there will typically be reduced blood flow to the brain. The body attempts to compensate for this in a variety of ways that cause a number of symptoms; however, this heart rate increase (~30 beats per minute or more in adults) is a key feature of POTS.
People of all ages and genders are capable of developing POTS, though there is a higher frequency in those of female sex between the ages of 15-50 years. There have been an increasing number of people developing the syndrome after contracting COVID-19, and this is thought to explain the symptoms of many with long COVID. POTS also co-exists more frequently with certain conditions, such as with connective tissue disorders like Hypermobility Spectrum Disorders and Ehlers-Danlos Syndromes.
The overall cause of POTS is typically unknown; however, the symptoms can be addressed effectively with a variety of conservative strategies and (often) medication.
Typically our Physios, Exercise Physiologists and Psychologists are most involved with the management of POTS at Move for Better Health, however all of our allied health team have awareness of this condition and can support you in conjunction with your treating practitioners as needed.
We can help in the following ways:
Education on how to manage the condition: A number of our Physios have undertaken additional training to help you understand POTS. They will also provide guidelines for baseline conservative management approaches including tips around hydration, salt intake, compression and other personalised recommendations.
Movement and Exercise: When working with your Physio or Exercise Physiologist, they can establish a personalised exercise program which is tailored to your needs. This exercise program can be completed as a 1:1 exercise session or within the class environment. The programs are designed with care to reduce the risk of flare ups, and to find a comfortable baseline from which to build your overall condition.
Management Strategies: There are a number of strategies which your allied health practitioners can recommend to help you manage symptoms. This may include identifying triggers and creating strategies on how to avoid or reduce the events. We can also provide assistance in how to use pacing techniques during day to day activities or exercise as well as guidance on management of flare ups when they do occur.
Return to Activity: POTS can often mean a reduction in activities so we are able to assist you with guidance and planning for returning to activity including work, school, or sport, while minimising symptoms and managing flare ups.
Referral and Collaboration: Comprehensive and collaborative care is usually needed, so we will often recommend referral to different specialists for medication management and further health support as needed. This could include assistance from our Clinical Psychologists at NLC Psychology who also have additional training and experience with POTS.
If this sounds like you or something you are dealing with, please contact us to make a booking!
To book online to see our Physios for an assessment, please use our Online Booking Gateway (available 24/7) and select the customised booking option for a Physio POTS Assessment.
Alternatively, to book in with our allied health practitioners who have had additional training in POTS, you can:
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