Why Are Dysautonomias So Hard to Understand?

Brain Communication and POTS Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS) is one of the most misunderstood nervous system conditions today. It’s part of a larger group of disorders known as dysautonomia, where the autonomic nervous system (ANS) doesn’t function correctly. The ANS controls automatic body processes like heart rate, blood pressure, digestion, and temperature regulation. When it’s out of sync, the body feels chaotic—especially when changing positions like standing up. POTS symptoms often include: Fast heart rate when standing Dizziness or fainting Brain fog Fatigue Temperature regulation issues Shaky or anxious feelings Many patients are told it’s “just anxiety” or are bounced from doctor to doctor without answers. But the issue is real—and it’s often rooted in how the brain and body communicate. The Three Subtypes of POTS There are three common subtypes of POTS, each with its own pattern: Hyperadrenergic POTS- This type involves too much adrenaline. When standing, people may feel like they’re in constant fight-or-flight mode: fast heartbeat, high blood pressure, sweating, and panic-like symptoms. Neuropathic POTS- This subtype results from poor nerve function, especially in the legs. The small nerves that control blood vessels don’t squeeze properly, so blood pools in the lower body. That means less blood gets to the brain—causing dizziness, blurry vision, or blue hands and feet. Hypovolemic POTS- Here, the total blood volume is too low. That could be due to problems with fluid retention, salt balance, or kidney function. People may feel lightheaded, weak, and intolerant to heat or exercise. Many patients actually have a mix of these subtypes, which is why personalized care is so important. Where Upper Cervical Care Comes In  At the very top of your spine is the craniocervical junction (CCJ)—the area where the skull meets the top two bones in your neck (the atlas and axis). This region surrounds the brainstem, which acts as the body’s autopilot control center. It helps regulate: Blood pressure Heart rate Breathing rhythm Vagal tone (rest-and-digest) Adrenal and kidney signaling Blood vessel control When the CCJ is misaligned—even by a few millimeters—it can distort neurologic input and blood flow to the brainstem. Think of it like a blown fuse at the breaker box: the system isn’t completely shut down, but nothing is working quite right. Upper cervical care gently corrects these misalignments, allowing the nervous system to regulate more effectively. Many POTS patients experience reduced symptoms like fewer dizzy spells, steadier heart rate, and improved mental clarity after care begins. Subtype Support: A Functional Comparison Here’s how upper cervical care may help across all three POTS subtypes:

The Autonomic Disconnect When someone is living with dysautonomia , they often feel like their body is out of sync—heart racing when doing every day activities, digestion stalling and feeling bloated, lightheadedness, anxiety, or overwhelming fatigue. But what’s actually happening inside the nervous system to cause this kind of chaos? To answer that, we need to understand how the autonomic nervous system (ANS) works—and where it can go wrong. The Autonomic Nervous System: Your Automatic Pilot The ANS is the part of your nervous system that runs in the background—regulating heart rate, blood pressure, digestion, breathing, temperature, and more. You don’t consciously control it, and that’s the point: it’s supposed to keep your body in balance without you thinking about it. It has two main branches: Sympathetic nervous system – Often called “fight or flight,” this system ramps things up. It increases heart rate, dilates pupils, slows digestion, and gets you ready to respond to threats or stress. Parasympathetic nervous system – This is your “rest and digest” mode. It slows the heart rate, boosts digestion, and promotes healing and relaxation. In a healthy system, these two branches work like a teeter-totter —when one is active, the other calms down, and vice versa. When the Balance Tips Too Far In dysautonomia, the teeter-totter gets stuck—and that’s when problems arise. If the sympathetic system stays overactive , the body lives in constant overdrive. This can lead to: Rapid heart rate (like in POTS) Poor digestion Sleep disruption Anxiety-like symptoms Cold hands and feet (from poor circulation) If the parasympathetic system becomes dominant in the wrong way , people may experience: Brain fog or fatigue Low blood pressure Dizziness or fainting Depressed mood Slowed gut motility It’s not always about one system being “bad.” The real issue is dysregulation —the body’s inability to shift gears smoothly. The Brainstem: The Master Regulator At the core of this system is the brainstem. This is the main hub for autonomic control. It’s where your brain receives data about your body’s internal state and decides how to respond—raising blood pressure, slowing your heart, stimulating digestion, or releasing stress hormones. But here’s where it gets interesting: the craniocervical junction —where your skull meets your top two neck bones—is the anatomical neighborhood that surrounds the brainstem. If this area becomes misaligned or under strain (from trauma, posture, or hypermobility), it may interfere with the signals going in and out of the brainstem . A Simple Analogy Imagine the brainstem is a thermostat in your home. It constantly monitors the internal temperature (your body’s signals) and adjusts the system accordingly. But if someone covers the thermostat with a towel, it starts getting faulty readings. The heat might crank on when you’re already warm, or the AC might shut off in the middle of summer. That’s what happens when craniocervical tension or misalignment affects autonomic regulation. The control center is intact—but the input and output are distorted. Where Chiropractic May Help At Cerebral Chiropractic, we don’t chase symptoms. We focus on clearing out interference—especially at the craniocervical junction—so the nervous system can regain its ability to self-regulate. When pressure is relieved at the top of the spine, the brainstem can often return to baseline function. In some cases, this has led to dramatic improvements in symptoms of dysautonomia. Relevant Research Rosa S, Baird JW. The craniocervical junction: observations regarding the relationship between misalignment, obstruction of cerebrospinal fluid flow, cerebellar tonsillar ectopia, and image-guided correction. In: Heffez DS, editor. The Craniocervical Syndrome and MRI. Basel: Karger; 2015. p. 48–66. doi:10.1159/000365470. Haavik H, Murphy B. The role of spinal manipulation in addressing disordered sensorimotor integration and altered motor control. J Electromyogr Kinesiol. 2012 Aug;22(4):768–76. Epub 2012 Apr 6. doi:10.1016/j.jelekin.2012.02.012. PMID: 22483612. Woodfield HC 3rd, Hasick DG, Becker WJ, Rose MS, Scott JN. Effect of atlas vertebrae realignment in subjects with migraine: an observational pilot study. Biomed Res Int. 2015;2015:630472. doi:10.1155/2015/630472. PMID: 26783523; PMCID: PMC4689902

This case study reports on a 15-year-old boy with daily headaches and chronic migraines that improved dramatically under Kale upper cervical care. After two years, migraines dropped from once every 3 weeks to only 5 total episodes. Upper cervical care may be a safe, effective option for adolescents with migraines.

This case report describes a 53-year-old patient with 12 years of migraines who experienced full symptom resolution through Atlas Orthogonal care. Precision X-ray analysis and vector-guided atlas correction resulted in immediate and lasting relief from migraine, neck pain, and neurological symptoms.

This article highlights the use of cone-beam CT to assess upper cervical misalignment in a migraine patient. Guided by Blair protocol, two atlas corrections over 10 weeks led to reduced pain and medication use. Upper cervical care continues to advance through precision imaging and individualized correction.

Drs. Bernard, Alcantara, and Pierce report on a 16-year-old with lifelong migraines who found relief through Advanced Orthogonal upper cervical care. After years of medications and ER visits, precise atlas correction dramatically reduced her symptoms and improved quality of life.

Dr. Robert Trager and colleagues present a case where upper cervical chiropractic care played a key role in resolving chronic dizziness linked to cervicogenic dizziness, upper cervical instability, and POTS. The patient improved significantly through conservative management including manual therapy, stability exercises, and autonomic support.

Dr. G. Dave Singh, Dr. Chris Chapman, and Dr. Myles Preble demonstrated that combining upper cervical chiropractic care with biomimetic oral appliance therapy can significantly improve craniofacial alignment. The study highlights how integrating these therapies enhances structural stability and supports neurological health through a multidisciplinary approach.

Dr. Woodfield and his colleagues conducted a groundbreaking study showing how atlas realignment may reduce migraine days and improve quality of life. The research highlights the potential of precise upper cervical care to address migraines at their root, offering insights into a non-invasive approach that could transform migraine management.