Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS) can make everyday life unpredictable. Simple actions like standing up, walking, or showering may trigger dizziness, fatigue, and rapid heartbeats. Many people are told there’s little that can be done beyond managing symptoms—but a growing number of clinicians now recognize that POTS begins with dysregulation in the autonomic nervous system.
At Omega Functional Health, a brain-based chiropractic and neurological rehabilitation clinic in Wheat Ridge, Colorado, we use an innovative approach called the Gravity Reset Method to help retrain the body’s response to gravity and restore autonomic balance.
What Is Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS)?
Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS) is a form of dysautonomia, meaning a dysfunction of the autonomic nervous system—the system that automatically regulates heart rate, blood pressure, and circulation.
When a healthy person stands, the brain quickly adjusts vessel tone and heart rate so blood continues flowing to the brain. In POTS, those adjustments don’t occur properly. Blood pools in the lower body, the brain receives less oxygen, and the heart compensates by beating faster.
Common POTS symptoms include:
• Rapid heartbeat when standing
• Dizziness or lightheadedness
• Fatigue and “brain fog”
• Headaches or migraines
• Nausea or digestive issues
• Shortness of breath or palpitations
• Anxiety-like sensations
• Exercise or heat intolerance
Is POTS Genetic?
People often ask, “Is POTS hereditary?” Research suggests that while a genetic predisposition may exist, POTS is not strictly inherited like eye color. Certain genetic traits—such as connective-tissue flexibility, immune reactivity, or hormone sensitivity—may increase risk.
However, POTS most commonly develops after environmental triggers that stress the nervous system, such as:
- Viral infections or post-viral fatigue
- Concussions or mild brain injury
- Autoimmunity
- Chronic stress or trauma
- Birth Interventions
In other words, genetics may “load the gun,” but environment and autonomic nervous system regulation determine whether symptoms appear.
Why Traditional Approaches Often Fall Short
Most conventional treatments for POTS aim to manage symptoms:
• Medications for heart rate or blood pressure
• Increased salt and fluid intake
• Compression garments
• Physical therapy or exercise tolerance training
While these methods can reduce symptom intensity, they rarely correct the root cause—a nervous system that struggles to adapt to gravity and stress.
The autonomic nervous system has two main branches:
• Sympathetic (“fight-or-flight”)—raises heart rate and blood pressure.
• Parasympathetic (“rest-and-digest”), largely controlled by the vagus nerve, calms and restores balance.
When this system is out of sync, the body can’t properly manage posture changes, leading to dizziness, rapid heart rate, and fatigue.
The Nervous System’s Role in POTS
Research on dysautonomia shows that POTS patients often have:
- Overactivation of the sympathetic system
- Underactivity of vagal (parasympathetic) pathways
- Vestibular dysfunction – in particular the otolithe, which measures gravity
- Brainstem and cerebellar miscommunication affecting cardiovascular reflexes
These imbalances explain why POTS can produce not only circulatory symptoms but also digestive issues, anxiety, and brain fog. Restoring neurological communication is essential for lasting recovery.
What Is the Gravity Reset Method?
The Gravity Reset Method is a neurological rehabilitation technique developed to retrain how the brain and body interpret gravity.
Every time you change posture, your vestibular system (inner ear), eyes, muscles, and cardiovascular sensors send information to the brain. The brain integrates those signals and tells your heart and blood vessels how to respond. When these pathways are mis-timed, the result can be dizziness, poor circulation, and fatigue—key features of POTS.
The Gravity Reset Method:
- Assesses how your nervous system handles gravitational load and posture changes.
- Uses gentle, targeted exercises that recalibrate vestibular, visual, and autonomic signals.
- Builds tolerance and resilience so the body can handle daily movement without symptoms.
How the Gravity Reset Method Helps People with POTS
By systematically re-training the brain’s control over circulation and posture, the Gravity Reset Method helps improve:
- Blood Flow Regulation – The brain can properly and quickly interpret postural changes allowing for timely constriction and relaxation of blood vessels appropriately when upright.
- Vagal Tone – Stimulating the vagus nerve strengthens parasympathetic control, reducing stress over-activation.
- Vestibular Function – Exercises that target balance centers improve orientation, stability, and confidence.
- Brainstem Integration – Enhances communication between the brain, heart, and baroreceptors that control blood pressure.
- Overall Stamina – Gradual exposure increases tolerance to standing, walking, and exercise without triggering crashes.
A Patient’s Story: Emily’s Recovery
When Emily first visited Omega Functional Health, she could barely stand in the shower without feeling faint. College classes left her exhausted, and even mild activity caused her heart rate to spike.
Through a personalized care plan combining Gravity Reset exercises, brain-based chiropractic care, and vagus nerve activation, Emily’s brain began to adapt. Within weeks she could stand longer without dizziness. Within months her heart rate steadied, brain fog lifted, and she resumed her normal routine.
Her experience reflects what we see often: when the nervous system relearns how to regulate under gravity, symptoms naturally diminish.
What to Expect from Care
Your journey begins with a comprehensive neurological evaluation, including:
• Balance and vestibular testing
• Heart-rate variability (HRV) analysis
• Reflex and eye-movement assessments
From there, your doctor designs an individualized Gravity Reset program that progresses gradually. Care may also include:
• Gentle chiropractic adjustments for improved brainstem communication
• Neurofeedback or sensory-motor training
• Functional nutrition to reduce inflammation and support circulation
Progress is monitored both objectively, Vestibular testing, HRV, and EEG and subjectively: energy, focus, recovery
Home Strategies to Support Autonomic Regulation
While in-office sessions accelerate results, you can reinforce progress daily by:
- Staying well hydrated and including electrolytes
- Practicing slow, diaphragmatic breathing
- Engaging in activity that builds core and neck flexor tone
- Prioritizing restorative sleep
- Eating an anti-inflammatory, whole-food diet rich in minerals and antioxidants
- Practicing home prescribed vestibular exercises
These habits nourish the same nervous system pathways that Gravity Reset strengthens.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can POTS improve without medication?
Yes. Many people see significant improvement when the nervous system is retrained through methods like Gravity Reset, autonomic rehab, and lifestyle changes.
How long does it take to see results?
Every case is unique. Most patients notice early improvements in energy and stability within a few weeks, with deeper recovery over several months.
What is the connection between POTS and the vagus nerve?
The vagus nerve regulates heart rate, digestion, and inflammation. When vagal tone is low, the body struggles to transition from stress to calm—making POTS symptoms more severe. Strengthening vagal tone is central to recovery.
Can teenagers or young adults with POTS benefit from this care?
Absolutely. The Gravity Reset Method is safe, non-invasive, and particularly effective for young patients whose nervous systems are still adaptable.
In Summary
Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS) is a form of dysautonomia that disrupts blood flow and heart rate regulation when standing. The Gravity Reset Method, available at Omega Functional Health in Wheat Ridge, Colorado, is a brain-based approach that retrains how the body responds to gravity.
By restoring vagal tone, improving vestibular integration, and balancing the autonomic nervous system, patients often experience steadier circulation, renewed energy, and improved quality of life.
Healing from POTS takes time, but with the right neurological support, recovery is not only possible—it’s expected.
If you or a loved one are struggling with POTS or chronic dizziness, schedule a complimentary consultation at Omega Functional Health to learn how the Gravity Reset Method can help your nervous system regain balance and strength.
Schedule a Complimentary Consultation here