Physical Therapy for POTS
Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS) negatively impacts day-to-day activities. From work life to personal life, symptoms create challenges to simply living. Physical therapy for POTS improves circulation, increases tolerance to upright positions, and enhances overall physical condition and quality of life. Physical therapists at Balanced Body use a variety of techniques to help patients manage and heal from POTS. What Is POTS?
When the autonomic nervous system that controls heart rate, blood pressure, and breathing doesn't work right, it causes the body to incorrectly sense low blood pressure. Exaggerated signals from the brain or nerves releases adrenaline-like hormones that can cause lightheadedness, dizziness, fainting, blurred vision, headaches, nausea, diarrhea, and trouble sleeping.Graded Exercise Therapy
This physical therapy for POTS builds cardiovascular endurance and strengthens muscles in the lower body to improve blood flow and reduce pooling. Therapists may start with recumbent exercises like cycling, rowing, or swimming and then progress to upright activities as tolerance improves.Exercise to Strengthen the Lower Body
Balanced Body physical therapists work with patients to strengthen the calf muscles and thighs, which act as a natural pump to assist blood flow back to the heart. These physical therapy exercises for POTS include lying leg raises, resistance band exercises for calves and thighs and wall sits that engage lower-body muscles.
Breathing Techniques
Some therapies target breathing to regulate the autonomic nervous system and improve oxygenation. These techniques reduce symptoms like dizziness or lightheadedness and improve overall circulation and oxygenation. Breathing exercises focus on diaphragmatic breathing to promote relaxation and improve oxygen delivery and controlled exhalation to reduce dizziness and lightheadedness when standing. Box breathing can stop symptoms like hyperventilation while pursed lip breathing targets oxygen exchange to reduce shortness of breath. Tilt Training
Physical therapists help patients gradually increase their tolerance to being upright through tilt training. These techniques often combine compression garments like abdominal binders or compression stockings to reduce blood pooling. This training starts with short durations and slowly works up to extended time upright. 
Myofascial Release
Poor posture and tight fascia increase the workload on the heart and exacerbate blood pooling. Releasing restrictions in the fascia in the lower back, hips, and legs improves postural alignment to help the body manage blood flow better when standing upright.Balance and Proprioception Exercises
Along with dizziness, some POTS patients experience problems with maintaining balance making them susceptible to falls. Physical therapy for POTS that includes proprioception exercises improves sensorimotor function. Stability ball exercises, slow Tai Chai movements, and towel steps improve balance and body awareness. Holistic Physical Therapy for POTS
The physical therapists with Balanced Body focus on treating the entire body, not just POTS symptoms. After an evaluation, each patient received a treatment plan tailored for the individual’s symptoms and tolerance levels. Hydration and nutritional counseling empower patients to self-manage their symptoms. Continual dialog keeps pacing at the appropriate level. 
Finding Physical Therapy for POTS Treatment in Irvine
Not every physical therapist is trained or equipped to offer physical therapy for POTS. When looking for a therapist ask:• Have you treated patients with autonomic dysfunction, including POTS?• Are you familiar with graded exercise therapy and tilt training?• Do you have experience with cardiovascular and pulmonary rehabilitation?• Can you tailor a plan based on my symptoms, such as fatigue or dizziness?Balanced Body Physical Therapy in Irvine provides therapy for POTS for people in Newport Beach, Laguna Beach, and Costa Mesa. Call (949) 748-7806 to set up a free 15-minute phone consultation or contact the therapists online. 