At Move for Better Health, we have a team of allied health practitioners who are able to help you manage Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS) depending on your specific conditions. These practitioners have additional training and attended educational conferences about POTS to bring you the most up to date information and care.

What Is POTS?

POTS is a relatively common disorder of the autonomic (‘automatic’) nervous system characterised by an excessive heart rate increase when upright. This condition affects the body’s ability to regulate blood pressure and blood flow when changing positions, particularly when standing up after lying down for long periods.

Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome Symptoms

People with POTS may experience a wide range of symptoms including:

• Dizziness / lightheadedness and fainting when standing (you may feel dizzy upon standing)
• Headaches
• ‘Brain fog’ (difficulty thinking clearly or concentrating)
• Symptoms similar to anxiety (such as racing or pounding heartbeat, sweating, tightness in chest, shakiness, etc.)
• Fatigue
• Sleep difficulties
• Temperature regulation issues
• Pain
• Gastrointestinal problems
• Bladder issues

These POTS symptoms are generally reduced by returning to a sitting or lying position.

Causes Of POTS

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. This results in a decreased amount of blood reaching the brain.

The body attempts to compensate by increasing heart rate (~30 beats per minute or more in adults), which is a key indication of tachycardia syndrome. 

People of all ages and genders can develop POTS, though there is a higher frequency in females 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, Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome symptoms can be addressed effectively with a variety of conservative strategies and (often) medication.

How We Can Help With POTS

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 POTS Management

Our Physios have undertaken additional training to help you understand POTS. They will provide guidelines for baseline conservative management approaches including:

• Tips for hydration to increase blood volume
• Salt intake recommendations for improving blood pressure stability
• Wearing compression garments like compression stockings to help prevent blood pooling
• Other personalised recommendations based on your specific symptoms

Movement And POTS Exercise

When working with your Physio or Exercise Physiologist, they can establish a personalised POTS exercise program tailored to your needs. The program is designed to help you gradually improve your condition while managing flare-ups. It can be completed as a 1:1 session or in a class environment, ensuring exercises are appropriately paced to suit your specific symptoms and comfort level.

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
• Direction on using pacing techniques during day to day activities
• Guidance on management of flare ups when they 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 medical or health professionals for POTS treatment 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.

How To Book An Assessment

If these Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome symptoms sound like what you’re experiencing, 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:

• Call us at our Malvern clinic (08) 8373 5655 or Glenelg Clinic (08) 8295 1294 
• Drop in to see us in person
• Email us on info@moveforbetterhealth.com.au