Is your child struggling with POTS, and you’re feeling overwhelmed trying to help them find relief? You watch as they deal with dizziness, rapid heartbeat, and fatigue that seems to come out of nowhere, especially when they stand up. As a parent, it’s heartbreaking to see your child’s daily activities limited by these unpredictable symptoms.
💡 Key Takeaway: POTS is a nervous system condition that affects how your child’s body regulates heart rate and blood flow, but neurologically-focused chiropractic care can address the root cause by restoring proper nervous system function.
You’re not alone in this journey. Many families throughout Cooper City, Pembroke Pines, and surrounding areas are navigating the challenges of POTS with their children. Perhaps you’ve tried various treatments that only provided temporary relief, leaving you wondering if there’s a better way to help your child thrive. The good news is that there’s hope, and it starts with understanding how your child’s nervous system plays a crucial role in their overall health and well-being.
Proudly serving families in Cooper City, Davie, Pembroke Pines, Hollywood, Weston, and throughout Broward County, FL.
What Is POTS?
POTS stands for Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome, a condition that affects how your child’s body regulates blood flow and heart rate when changing positions. When a child with POTS stands up, their heart rate increases significantly – typically by 40 beats per minute or more within 10 minutes of standing.
This isn’t just about feeling a little dizzy when getting up too quickly. POTS is a complex condition where the autonomic nervous system – the part of the nervous system that controls automatic functions like heart rate, blood pressure, and digestion – isn’t working properly (Dysautonomia International). Think of it as your child’s internal “control center” having difficulty keeping everything balanced and coordinated.
While POTS can affect people of any age, it often develops during the teenage years and can significantly impact your child’s ability to participate in normal daily activities. The condition occurs when there’s dysfunction in how the nervous system communicates between the brain, heart, and blood vessels, leading to the characteristic symptoms that many parents recognize.
⭐ Did You Know? POTS primarily affects teenagers and young adults, with symptoms often appearing during adolescence when the nervous system is still developing and maturing.
Signs and Symptoms of POTS in Children
Recognizing POTS in your child can be challenging because symptoms often overlap with other conditions. Here are the key signs that many parents notice:
- Rapid heart rate or heart palpitations, especially when standing up from sitting or lying down
- Dizziness, lightheadedness, or feeling faint when changing positions
- Chronic fatigue that doesn’t improve with rest, making it hard to keep up with school or activities
- Brain fog, difficulty concentrating, or memory problems that affect academic performance
- Nausea, stomach pain, or digestive issues that seem to come and go
- Sleep disturbances, including trouble falling asleep or staying asleep
- Exercise intolerance or feeling worse after physical activity rather than energized
- Temperature regulation problems, such as feeling too hot or too cold frequently
✅ What You Can Do: Keep a symptom diary noting when your child experiences these signs, especially in relation to position changes, to help healthcare providers understand their patterns.
If you’re reading this list and thinking “that sounds like my child,” you’re likely on the right track in seeking answers for their health challenges.
What Causes POTS?
Understanding what causes POTS requires looking beyond just the symptoms to the root of the problem – your child’s nervous system. At Alive & Free Chiropractic, we often see POTS as the result of what we call “The Perfect Storm” – a combination of factors that create ongoing stress and dysfunction in the nervous system.
As a parent, it’s heartbreaking to see your child’s daily activities limited by these unpredictable symptoms.
This perfect storm often begins early in life. Birth interventions such as C-sections, forceps, vacuum extraction, or even prolonged labor can create physical stress on a newborn’s delicate spine and nervous system. These early traumas can lead to subluxations – misalignments in the spine that interfere with proper nervous system function.
As children grow, additional stressors compound the problem. Physical stresses like falls, sports injuries, or poor posture from heavy backpacks add to the burden. Emotional stresses from school pressure, social challenges, or family changes activate the body’s fight-or-flight response. Chemical stresses from processed foods, environmental toxins, or medications further overwhelm the system.
❤️ You’re Not Alone: Many parents feel guilty wondering if something they did caused their child’s POTS, but this condition results from accumulated stresses over time, not any single event or parenting decision.
Over time, this accumulation of stress keeps your child’s nervous system stuck in a state of dysfunction. The autonomic nervous system, which should seamlessly control heart rate, blood pressure, and circulation, becomes dysregulated (Cleveland Clinic). The vagus nerve, a crucial component that helps the body rest and digest, may not function properly. When the nervous system can’t effectively coordinate these automatic functions, POTS symptoms emerge as the body’s way of signaling that something isn’t working correctly.
How Neurologically-Focused Chiropractic Helps with POTS
At Alive & Free Chiropractic, our approach to helping children with POTS focuses on addressing the root cause – nervous system dysfunction – rather than simply managing symptoms. We use advanced INSiGHT scanning technology to get an objective picture of how your child’s nervous system is functioning.
These scans measure three key areas: how well the nervous system controls automatic functions like heart rate and digestion, how stress is affecting spinal muscles, and how efficiently the brain and body are communicating. This technology allows us to see exactly where subluxations are creating interference and how they’re impacting your child’s overall health.
Once we understand your child’s unique nervous system patterns, we provide gentle, specific chiropractic adjustments designed to remove subluxations and restore proper nervous system function. These adjustments help activate the parasympathetic nervous system – the “rest and digest” mode that allows the body to heal and function optimally.
Many families notice improvements in their child’s ability to regulate heart rate and blood pressure as the nervous system begins to function more efficiently. Research suggests that when subluxations are corrected, the body’s natural healing ability can be restored, allowing the nervous system to coordinate the complex processes that control circulation and cardiovascular function (Mayo Clinic).
Children with POTS often experience related challenges such as anxiety, headaches, and sleep issues. Our neurologically-focused approach addresses these interconnected symptoms by supporting the nervous system’s ability to regulate multiple body functions simultaneously. The brain’s remarkable capacity for neuroplasticity means that with proper care, new, healthier patterns can be established.
Wondering if chiropractic care could help your child with pots?
Call us at (754) 203-5907 or schedule your child’s assessment online.
What to Expect at Your Child’s First Visit
We understand that bringing your child to a new healthcare provider can feel overwhelming, especially when they’re already struggling with POTS symptoms. Our Cooper City office is designed to be a welcoming, comfortable environment where both you and your child can feel at ease.
Your child’s first visit begins with a comprehensive consultation where we’ll discuss their health history, current symptoms, and any previous treatments they’ve tried. We take time to listen to your concerns and understand how POTS is affecting your family’s daily life. This conversation helps us develop a complete picture of your child’s unique situation.
Next, we’ll perform the INSiGHT scans, which are completely painless and non-invasive – no needles, no radiation, and no discomfort. These scans take just a few minutes and provide valuable information about your child’s nervous system function. Many children find the process interesting and are amazed to see how their body works.
✅ Action Step: Bring any previous test results, symptom journals, or medical records to your first visit to help us understand your child’s complete health picture.
After reviewing the scan results, we’ll explain our findings in simple terms and discuss how a neurologically-focused care plan might help your child. We serve families from throughout Pembroke Pines, Weston, Southwest Ranches, and Davie, and we’re committed to making care convenient and accessible for your family.
Frequently Asked Questions About POTS
Is chiropractic safe for children with POTS?
Yes, neurologically-focused chiropractic care is very safe for children with POTS. Our gentle adjustments are specifically designed for pediatric patients and focus on removing nervous system interference rather than forcing movement in the spine. We use precise, low-force techniques that are comfortable for children of all ages. The INSiGHT scanning technology we use is also completely safe, with no radiation or invasive procedures.
How long does it take to see improvements with POTS?
Every child responds differently to care, and the timeline for improvement depends on factors like how long they’ve had symptoms, their overall health, and the severity of nervous system dysfunction. Some families notice changes in their child’s energy levels or sleep patterns within the first few weeks, while improvements in heart rate regulation may take longer. We monitor progress through regular re-examinations and scan updates to track how your child’s nervous system is responding to care.
Can my child continue other treatments while receiving chiropractic care?
Absolutely. Neurologically-focused chiropractic care works well alongside other treatments your child may be receiving for POTS. We believe in a collaborative approach to healthcare and encourage open communication with your child’s other healthcare providers. Our goal is to support your child’s nervous system function, which can enhance the effectiveness of other therapies they may be using.
Will my child need chiropractic care forever?
Our goal is to help your child’s nervous system function as optimally as possible. The length of care varies for each child, and we’ll regularly assess their progress to determine the most appropriate care plan. As your child’s nervous system heals and strengthens, the frequency of visits typically decreases. Many families choose to continue with periodic wellness visits to maintain their child’s nervous system health, similar to regular dental cleanings or eye exams.
What if my child is afraid of going to the chiropractor?
It’s completely normal for children to feel nervous about trying something new, especially when they’re not feeling well. Our team is experienced in working with children of all ages and temperaments. We take time to explain everything we’re doing in age-appropriate terms and never force any child into treatment. Many children are fascinated by the scans and enjoy seeing the colorful reports that show how their nervous system is working. We create a positive, encouraging environment where children feel safe and comfortable.
Does insurance cover neurologically-focused chiropractic care?
Because we are neurologically-focused rather than a typical back-pain chiropractor, most major medical insurance plans do not cover what we do. Our approach is more specialized and more intensive than what insurance was designed for. However, we accept HSA and FSA — which many families have and don’t realize they can use for this. We also offer family discounts and flexible options to make care affordable. We always find a way for families who are committed to their child’s health.
Take the Next Step for Your Child
Watching your child struggle with POTS can feel overwhelming, but you don’t have to navigate this journey alone. At Alive & Free Chiropractic, we’re here to support your family with gentle, effective care that addresses the root cause of your child’s symptoms.
Our neurologically-focused approach has helped many children in Cooper City and surrounding communities find relief from POTS symptoms and regain their ability to participate fully in life. Every child deserves the chance to thrive, and we’re committed to helping your child reach their full potential.
Ready to learn more about how we can help your child? Call us at (754) 203-5907 to speak with our team, or use our convenient online booking system to schedule your child’s initial assessment. Take the first step toward giving your child the healthy, vibrant life they deserve.
Your child deserves to thrive.
Call Alive & Free Chiropractic at (754) 203-5907 or book your visit online today.
