Functional Medicine Support for POTS in San Diego
What is POTS? Understanding the Full Picture
Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS) is a condition that often goes undiagnosed or misdiagnosed, yet it affects thousands of individuals—predominantly women—in San Diego and around the world. At Integrated Medicine Ministries, I take a personalized, root-cause approach using functional medicine principles to support the autonomic nervous system and help my patients find relief from debilitating symptoms. POTS is far more than just an elevated heart rate—it's a systemic imbalance that touches nearly every major physiological system in the body. In this article, we’ll explore what POTS really is, the role of vagal tone and vasodilation, how functional medicine can help, and what services I offer right here in San Diego to support recovery.
POTS stands for Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome, a type of dysautonomia, or dysfunction of the autonomic nervous system. It is defined by a heart rate increase of 30 beats per minute (bpm) or more (or above 120 bpm total) within 10 minutes of standing upright, without a corresponding drop in blood pressure. This creates a mismatch in circulatory regulation and can result in symptoms such as:
Lightheadedness or dizziness upon standing
Fatigue, even after sleeping well
Palpitations or rapid heart rate
Shortness of breath or chest discomfort
Anxiety or panic-like symptoms
Digestive irregularities
Cognitive impairment (“brain fog”)
Cold hands and feet
Fainting or near-fainting episodes
While some cases of POTS are secondary to other conditions—like Lyme disease, Mast Cell Activation Syndrome (MCAS), Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS), or long COVID—others seem to arise following a viral infection, trauma, or chronic inflammation. Regardless of the cause, one thing is clear: the body is struggling to properly regulate blood flow, nervous system signaling, and cellular energy.
The Role of the Autonomic Nervous System and Vagal Tone
The autonomic nervous system (ANS) governs all unconscious bodily functions—heartbeat, digestion, blood vessel dilation, breathing rhythm, and more. It is divided into two branches:
The sympathetic nervous system, responsible for “fight or flight” responses
The parasympathetic nervous system, responsible for “rest and digest” healing states
In individuals with POTS, this delicate balance is disrupted. The vagus nerve, the major parasympathetic nerve that extends from the brainstem through the heart, lungs, and digestive tract, is often underactive or dysregulated. This results in an overcompensated sympathetic response, poor circulation, shallow breathing, and heightened anxiety.
At Integrated Medicine Ministries in San Diego, I use non-invasive vagal toning protocols to directly support this system. These include:
Craniosacral therapy to free fascial restrictions along the vagus nerve pathway
Cold plunging or cryotherapy to activate parasympathetic rebound
Breathwork and resonance frequency training to reestablish healthy heart rate variability
Auricular vagus stimulation using microcurrent to stimulate vagal tone
Neuro Emotional Technique (NET) to release unresolved trauma stored in the nervous system
Supporting vagal tone is foundational to helping the body return to a calm, regulated state—essential for POTS recovery.
Vasodilation, Blood Volume, and Electrolyte Imbalance
Another key piece of the POTS puzzle is vasodilation and venous pooling. When someone with POTS stands up, their blood vessels may not properly constrict, leading to blood pooling in the lower limbs. The heart compensates by racing to try to maintain adequate brain perfusion. Over time, this can lead to feelings of exhaustion, tachycardia, and frequent “crashes.”
Additionally, hypovolemia (low blood volume) is common in POTS, often due to poor aldosterone regulation or adrenal imbalances. Patients may also have trouble holding on to key electrolytes like sodium, potassium, and magnesium—further compromising vascular tone and neurological signaling.
I address these imbalances through comprehensive lab testing, including:
Electrolyte and mineral panels
Aldosterone-renin ratios
24-hour cortisol and adrenal hormone testing
Micronutrient testing
Comprehensive stool and GI panels (to assess nutrient absorption)
Based on findings, we build a customized hydration and nutrient repletion protocol—this may include:
Electrolyte-rich broths and drinks
Targeted minerals (e.g., magnesium glycinate, potassium bicarbonate)
High-quality sea salt or sodium loading (when appropriate)
B-complex and mitochondrial cofactors like CoQ10 and NAD+
Addressing Root Causes: Infections, Trauma, and Autoimmunity
Functional medicine looks beyond the label to ask: What is the body trying to adapt to? For many POTS patients, the answer lies in hidden stressors, including:
Post-viral syndromes (like Epstein-Barr, COVID-19, or CMV)
Chronic infections (e.g., Borrelia, Babesia, Candida)
Mold exposure and biotoxins
Histamine intolerance or MCAS
Past trauma or unresolved emotional stress
Using specialty labs, clinical history, and biofeedback tools, I work to uncover these layers. We may use protocols such as:
Low-histamine anti-inflammatory diets
Mold detoxification strategies
Herbal and homeopathic support for hidden infections
Somatic therapy or NET to release trauma stored in the body
This is where true transformation happens—not just masking symptoms, but peeling back the layers of dysfunction that keep the nervous system in survival mode.
Structural and Physical Medicine for Circulation and Stability
At my San Diego clinic, we don’t overlook the power of the physical body. POTS often involves connective tissue dysfunction, poor lymphatic return, and postural instability. That’s why I integrate:
Gentle chiropractic adjustments to realign the spine and free nerve pathways
Lymphatic therapy to reduce congestion and improve blood flow
Visceral manipulation to release tension in organs and fascia
Low-intensity strength and tilt-table training to retrain baroreceptors and autonomic reflexes
Many of my patients notice an improvement in circulation, energy, and stamina after just a few sessions of this structural work.
Why Functional Medicine is Different
In standard care, POTS is often treated with beta-blockers, SSRIs, or blood pressure medications—tools that may mask symptoms but don’t address root causes. Functional medicine asks deeper questions, uses integrative testing, and builds a strategy based on the whole person, not just a diagnosis code.
As a functional medicine practitioner in San Diego, I see patients as partners, not cases. Together, we build a healing strategy that is:
Bioindividual: Based on your body’s unique needs and genetic blueprint
Root-cause focused: We go beyond band-aids
Integrative: Combining clinical nutrition, naturopathy, chiropractic, mind-body work, and physical medicine
Trauma-informed: We support the nervous system, not override it
Evidence-based and spiritually aware: Bridging the science of physiology with the soul of healing
San Diego-Based Services to Support POTS Recovery
Whether you're newly diagnosed or have been struggling for years, I offer a suite of services right here in San Diego to help you heal from POTS naturally and comprehensively:
Functional blood chemistry analysis
Bioindividualized nutrition and detox plans
Vagus nerve support through craniosacral and NET
Mitochondrial and adrenal protocols
Structural therapies and lymphatic work
Specialized support for long COVID and post-viral POTS
Let’s Find Your Healing Path Together
You don’t have to live in survival mode. POTS is not “in your head,” and it is not your fault. If you're in San Diego and looking for answers beyond symptom suppression, I invite you to work with me at Integrated Medicine Ministries. Together, we’ll build a personalized roadmap that restores your autonomy, regulation, and vitality.
To schedule a consultation or learn more about my services for POTS and dysautonomia in San Diego, please visit www.IntegratedMedicineMinistries.com or call our office today!