Supporting Your Child Through POTS: Natural Solutions for Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome

Is your child struggling with POTS in Austin? You’ve likely been searching for answers, visiting multiple doctors, and watching your child battle symptoms that seem to come and go without explanation. Many South Austin families feel frustrated when traditional approaches only manage symptoms rather than address the root cause. At River City Wellness, Dr. Peter Martinez and Dr. Sean Forbes offer a different approach. Our neurologically-focused chiropractic care looks at how your child’s nervous system may be contributing to POTS symptoms. Families throughout Circle C, Sunset Valley, and Oak Hill have found the natural, gentle solution they’ve been searching for.

What Is POTS?

POTS is a form of dysautonomia that affects the autonomic nervous system, causing an abnormal increase in heart rate when standing up. In children, this condition can significantly impact daily activities and quality of life. The acronym stands for Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome.

When a child with POTS stands up, their heart rate increases by at least 30 beats per minute (or 40 beats per minute in teenagers). This happens because the nervous system isn’t properly regulating blood flow and heart rate changes with position.

POTS affects the part of the nervous system that controls automatic functions like heart rate, blood pressure, and digestion. Children with POTS often experience symptoms that go far beyond just heart rate changes, affecting their ability to participate in school, sports, and normal childhood activities.

Signs and Symptoms of POTS in Children

Parents often notice these signs and symptoms in children with POTS:

• Dizziness or lightheadedness when standing up
• Heart racing or pounding, especially when standing
• Extreme fatigue that doesn’t improve with rest
• Brain fog or difficulty concentrating at school
• Nausea or stomach problems
• Headaches, particularly when standing or active
• Exercise intolerance or avoiding physical activities
• Sleep problems or feeling unrefreshed after sleep
• Mood changes, anxiety, or irritability
• Frequent complaints of not feeling well

These symptoms can be confusing for parents because they often come and go, making it difficult to identify patterns. Many children with POTS are misunderstood as being dramatic or seeking attention when they’re actually experiencing real physical symptoms.

What Causes POTS? (The Root Cause)

Understanding what causes POTS in children requires looking at the nervous system as the central control system for all body functions. At River City Wellness, we’ve identified what we call “The Perfect Storm” – a combination of factors that can trigger POTS symptoms in susceptible children.

The Perfect Storm typically includes birth trauma, ongoing physical or emotional stress, and spinal subluxations that interfere with nervous system function. Birth trauma doesn’t just mean difficult deliveries – even routine births can create stress on a baby’s delicate nervous system, particularly in the upper cervical spine.

When subluxations occur in the upper cervical spine, they can interfere with the vagus nerve, which plays a crucial role in regulating heart rate, blood pressure, and digestive function. This interference can leave the nervous system stuck in a state of sympathetic dominance – essentially, your child’s fight-or-flight response becomes overactive.

Environmental stressors like toxins, emotional stress, poor nutrition, or physical injuries can overwhelm an already compromised nervous system. When the nervous system can’t adapt properly to these stressors, it creates a cascade of symptoms we recognize as POTS. This explains why traditional approaches that only manage symptoms often fall short – they’re not addressing the underlying nervous system dysfunction.

How Neurologically-Focused Chiropractic Helps POTS

As a POTS chiropractor in Austin, our approach at River City Wellness focuses on identifying and correcting the underlying nervous system dysfunction contributing to your child’s symptoms. We use advanced INSiGHT scanning technology to objectively measure how well your child’s nervous system is functioning and where specific areas of interference may exist.

Our neurologically-focused chiropractic care involves gentle, specific pediatric adjustments designed to remove subluxations and restore proper nervous system communication. Research suggests that by addressing subluxations in the upper cervical spine, we can support improved vagus nerve function, which is crucial for autonomic nervous system regulation.

Many families notice improvements in their child’s ability to regulate heart rate, blood pressure, and other autonomic functions as nervous system communication improves. Our experience shows that when the nervous system can function optimally, the body’s natural healing mechanisms can address the root causes of POTS symptoms rather than just managing them.

The neuroplasticity of children’s developing nervous systems makes them particularly responsive to this approach. By supporting proper nervous system function during these crucial developmental years, we’re helping create positive changes that can last a lifetime.

Children with POTS often experience other related conditions such as anxiety, headaches, and sleep issues. Our comprehensive approach addresses the underlying nervous system dysfunction that may be contributing to multiple symptoms, rather than treating each condition separately.

What to Expect at Your Child’s First Visit

Your child’s first visit to our South Austin office begins with a thorough consultation where Dr. Martinez or Dr. Forbes will listen to your child’s health history without judgment. We understand how challenging it can be for families dealing with POTS, and we’re here to provide answers and hope.

Next, we’ll perform our comprehensive INSiGHT neurological scan, which measures nervous system function objectively. These scans are completely painless and provide valuable information about how well your child’s nervous system is communicating throughout their body.

During the report of findings visit, we’ll review the scan results and explain exactly how nervous system dysfunction may be contributing to your child’s POTS symptoms. We’ll then create a customized care plan designed specifically for your child’s needs.

Located conveniently at 8708 S. Congress Ave, our office serves families throughout Circle C, Sunset Valley, Oak Hill, Barton Creek, and Manchaca. We’ve designed our office to be comfortable and welcoming for children of all ages.

Frequently Asked Questions About POTS

Is chiropractic care safe for children with POTS?

Yes, neurologically-focused chiropractic care is extremely safe for children with POTS. Our pediatric adjustments are gentle and specific, using no more pressure than you would use to check the ripeness of a tomato. Dr. Martinez and Dr. Forbes have specialized training in pediatric chiropractic care and understand the unique needs of children with autonomic nervous system challenges.

How long until we see results?

Every child responds differently, but many families notice initial improvements in sleep, mood, or energy levels within the first few weeks of care. Significant changes in POTS symptoms typically take longer as the nervous system needs time to adapt and heal. We’ll track your child’s progress with follow-up scans to objectively measure improvements in nervous system function.

Does insurance cover pediatric chiropractic care?

Many insurance plans do cover chiropractic care, and we’re happy to verify your benefits and help with insurance claims. We also offer affordable payment plans because we believe every child deserves access to natural healthcare. Our team will work with you to find a solution that fits your family’s budget.

What age children can you help with POTS?

We provide care for children of all ages, from infants to teenagers. POTS can develop at any age, though it’s most commonly diagnosed in adolescents. Our doctors have experience working with children across all developmental stages and adjust their approach based on each child’s age and comfort level.

How is this different from medical treatment for POTS?

Medical treatment for POTS typically focuses on managing symptoms through medications and lifestyle modifications. Our neurologically-focused approach addresses the root cause by identifying and correcting nervous system dysfunction that may be contributing to POTS symptoms. We work alongside your medical team to provide comprehensive care that supports your child’s overall health and development.

Can chiropractic care help if my child is already receiving medical treatment?

Absolutely. Neurologically-focused chiropractic care complements medical treatment beautifully. We often work with children who are receiving medical care for POTS, and many families find that addressing nervous system function helps improve their child’s overall response to treatment. We maintain open communication with your child’s medical team when appropriate.

Take the Next Step for Your Child

Watching your child struggle with POTS is heartbreaking, but you don’t have to navigate this journey alone. Families throughout South Austin have found hope and healing through our neurologically-focused approach to pediatric chiropractic care.

Dr. Martinez and Dr. Forbes are passionate about helping children reach their full potential by supporting optimal nervous system function. We understand the unique challenges POTS presents, and we’re committed to providing the personalized, gentle care your child deserves.

Your child’s health and happiness matter. Take the first step toward natural healing by scheduling a consultation at our Austin office. We’re here to listen, provide answers, and help your family find the path forward.