Can Neck Problems Cause Autonomic Symptoms like POTS?

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About Dr Nathan Keiser:
Dr. Nathan Keiser DC, DACNB, FABBIR is a board certified chiropractic neurologist specializing in non-surgical, non-pharmaceutical treatment of dysautonomia, traumatic brain injury (concussion), and movement disorders.
Dr. Keiser was certified as a diplomate in chiropractic neurology by the American Board of Chiropractic Neurology (ACNB) in 2010
and has since served patients from across North America and around the globe in private practice.
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The information provided in this video is not medical advice, nor should it be taken or applied as a replacement for medical advice. Dr. Nathan Keiser, its employees, guests and affiliates assume no liability for the application of the information discussed.

[@sergiogomez6]

These symptoms are so exhausting, finding help is exhausting. Its either falling in the rabbit hole of Prolotherapy or Cranial cervical instability and then everyone saying don't go see chiros that crack because they cause more damage, go see an Atlas Orthogonal which that process and the NUCCA process feels like tons of hocus hocus , then the anxiety due to autonomic issues get so bad because of natural reasons and then gets worse from all the answer chasing. :-(

[@peterfranks7619]

Your not alone, to have your health stolen is a shot in the gutt.

[@soulpowerful]

I’m right there with you, my friend

[@lindatinucci5779]

Thanks for mapping this out in your experience. Your experience will help me.

[@churchofinfiniteknowledge1608]

did you ever find relief?

[@timewastifcation]

Thank you for your care and persistence to improve the quality of people’s lives with OI. I’m taking your insights to a specialist for hEDS+POTS treatments. Our lives are too precious to simply survive. we need hope that we can live better. Please keep up your work!

[@TheAriell427]

Completely brilliant. Please consider this: if there is a CSF leak, even if a very small diameter, brain buoyancy is reduced, putting pressure on the brain stem and thereby stressing the autonomic nervous system. The nervous system can become routinely dysregulated due to chronic stress and orthostatic pressure. This distresses the body and affects posture and neck, as well as systems you described. Such was my personal experience. Nervous system rehabilitation is an interesting process.

[@Hijadeeldiosvivo222]

How was the CSF leak diagnosed?

[@TheAriell427]

you can learn more about that from Stanford University's Dr Ian Carroll

[@donnaschow613]

How do I find a Dr that can do this? Where are you? I am desperate for help.

[@peterfranks7619]

Being in this rodeo for almost a decade. Your videos are very good. I’ve been working with Dr Robert Wilson main campus Cleveland Clinic who been by my side since day one. I have Pots, Lems, pure autonomic failure and a celphacele. My skull cracked that’s a mystery and part of my brain mushroomed out into my sinus cavity plus two c-spine fusions. Things can be hard. Is there anyway you could reach out to Dr Wilson in hopes of finding any kind of treatment for us patients. You have a very clear explanation when you communicate thru these videos.

[@AgentBooty]

I have been dealing with POTS like symptoms for almost a year now. A couple months ago I started going to the chiropractor to get a stiff neck adjusted, after about 4-5 weeks of neck adjusting my symptoms faded. I stopped getting adjusted, the neck pain returned and now I am completely miserable again. Until this video I did not even realize the correlation!!! Thank you so much for this video, you have earned a subscriber and I am truly extremely grateful!

[@BrainPlastic]

Wow! A great blend of chiropractic and neurology, great job describing the effects of neck positions on the nervous system. Thank you!!

[@dockeiser]

Thank you so much🙏 I really appreciate you saying that

[@latishawimmer4857]

This video was very informative thank you

[@mountainmolerat]

This is terrific. Are you familiar w/ Dr. Andrew J. Maxwell's theory of The Pentad Super Syndrome? One (of several) of the potential mechanisms he sees for folks who have a confluence of issues like dysautonomia, gut issues, EDS, autoimmune issues, high ICP, csf leaks, and many others is a compression at the cranio-cervical/Eagle space impacting the IJV, vagus nerve, probably baroreceptors, etc. It seems what you're talking about would fit in nicely as a piece of that.

[@majahorvat7294]

That sounds interesting. What type of treatment does it involve?

[@MayraGarcia-ct9dy]

I have a stiff neck from a car accident 3 years ago and have had POTS like symptoms since. What kind of dr would treat something like this?

[@vitalucas9452]

Excellent piece! But where do you start for a diagnosis?

[@garyglibbery5983]

Omg. This is eye opening. I have a bad neck bulged disks all the way up and bone spurs. All pain on the left side. I’ve Ben to drs for many years about dizzy spells. They always did EKGs check my blood sugar. Never found a problem for 20 years now. Just realized I have the symptoms of pots. Dizzy when I stand up my heart rate changes all the time, but never attributed that to lack of salt or anything else. I now realize I need to find a doctor that understand. What you study? Thank you so much.

[@wanyukpooh8337]

Thank you Dr. Keiser. This is very useful information. I may have this problem. I will ask my chiropractor. Please keep these kinds of high heart rate related issues to our attention. I value your videos.

[@dockeiser]

Thanks so much. I hope you find it helpful

[@ChrisGascoigne1]

Thanks again Nate for another really insightful video! Being able to assess the vestibular, visual and proprioceptive systems and seeing how they operate in relation to one another sounds really complex, but it's amazing just how much these 3 systems alone are driving our entire human experience. You can start to see how dysfunction in one or more of those systems could create multiple day-to-day symptoms for the afflicted individual; half of the problem is being able to identify these pathways being a potential issue (as the patient) and approaching the right practitioner to accurately assess and offer rehab solutions. Also I was looking for studies from those Doctors you recommended, Ogoh and Novak; but was struggling to find their exact names online. Did you mean Shigehiko Ogoh and Peter Novak? Cheers Nate!

[@dockeiser]

Well stated Chris. Those are the authors indeed! Happy reading

[@vynedvyne59]

Functional neurology ❤

[@zeek4749]

My son has been suffering from pots for two years and no doctor or hospital helps him 😢now start taking him to the chiropractor neurologist hopefully it will help him

[@ryanbrennan3908]

Great info! Thanks

[@dockeiser]

Thanks Ryan 😊

[@pammy_mac]

Wow, this video describes me to a tee. So insightful! Thank you. I had Vestibular testing done at John's Hopkins and it was clear. Did many weeks of Vestibular PT and it was not helpful at all. It only made my heart rate increase, and symptoms (dizziness, brain fog, blurred vision) worse. Neck pain is a constant. All of this has occurred after Covid infection sixteen months ago. Just curious if you do virtual appointments?

[@DollysParadise]

Hi Nathan, Thanks for making this video. I am suffering from the same thing you speak about in the video and get worse with movement and laying down….which is movement.😢

[@Imtheone84]

Awesome video thank you so much.

[@dockeiser]

Glad you liked it! Thanks for the comment

[@ssmith2222]

Hi, very interesting video, but what are some of your recommended therapeutic options?

[@willystilly]

I’ve mentioned this to my doctor and specialist several times, and they’re just dismissive and can’t see any connection between my neck, which is stiff, painful and unusually straight, and autonomic dysfunction.

[@zeek4749]

Of course not they don’t want people to get better 😢they are pushing pills

[@aggarwal545]

Thanks for uploading this sir, Regards Vaibhav

[@dockeiser]

Thanks for watching Vaibhav 😊💪

[@Ffrenchyyx]

I’m on a waiting list to see someone who does your kind of work, in the meantime while I wait, I see a chiro for my reverse neck curve and kinked back, if it is a neck or spine miss alignment, is it as simple as correcting those things to be cured or does it go deeper than that?

[@samhartford8677]

Of course it can. I have had a dislocation of my 1st or 2nd vertebrae since whenever, along others before and along the way. A chiropractor tried to put it back when I was 19, but given I have joint hypermobility (not EDS) none of it ever sticks. That is, there are plenty of avenues to go from there... Maybe if at 19 they had stabilised by neck... Now it's too late. I'm 50 and the condition is just systemic.

[@KaBrotherUsa]

Thank you for the very informative explanation. Sounds like what my wife has.

[@Maamrakshatupratighaatayantu]

Hi Dr. Keiser, thank you for the informative video -- I have a winged scapula apparently on my right side. Do you recommend any exercises/stretches to help "fix" it? I'm slowly recovering from POTS using your techniques from prior videos in parallel with other methods, but this piece of information would be helpful.

[@nithinv48]

Wat are the techniques 😢

[@lovewenwin]

POTS has me ready conclude my existence

[@MarSarFishin-ws7qk]

I have been there many times, and there's always another answer. I have come to relate to my symptoms differently, with curiosity, courage, compassion, and welcoming.. The fear, sometimes is the worst part. Fear of the pain, fear of not knowing. Stress because I know what I want to do, need to do, but having to realize what I can't do. My symptoms over the last few years have diminished a great deal. I try to let go/surrender my resistance/need to control, allow life to tell me the next right thing to do, because my head goes to the dark places, I ask life(which loves all experience), what the next right/obvious thing to do, then I do it to the best of my ability. I don't have all answers, just experience.. and I know I was where you are just a few short years ago. I'm not 100%, but have had major improvements, and I will keep going until I find the answers beyond that, and one day I hope to be able to articulate and help anyone suffering the same torment that was thrust upon me. I love you. Take care. And be kind & gentle with yourself, because you deserve love, compassion and understanding. I didn't start getting better, until I realized this, and also realized that I am the only one that can give that to myself. ❤

[@dawnpage11]

C2 compression fracture age 23 - age 58 - gone through so much , I done all this . Now , I’m just stuck .

[@eannemarieweber5285]

I have had ebrs palsy from birth ( my right arm was affected). i am now 38 and have been a cna most of my working life. Most people dont even realize i have erbs palsy( i am very blessed). For the past 4 years, i have been having POTs symptoms, and it was confirmed last year that it was POTs. I can't help but think it is linked to the ebrs palsy and my neck slowing shifting out of place agien. Would this be possible?

[@MarSarFishin-ws7qk]

I was hit head on on the hwy back in 03, and have neck problems, along with all sorts of crazy symptoms.

[@stephanieburt1662]

I was wondering if this was linked to my neck today . Then i found this ! Very early in terms of pots symptoms neck problem comes and gos. But my neck and shoulders and jaw (tmj) came first. Then the pots symptoms and today ive had terrible neck tightness and shoulders due to stress and anxiety. And the pots symptoms ive had today were also awful. I am going to discuss this with my doctor the possible link . I already said this made sense due to nerves in this area. For me the root cause is my anxiety and ptsd as they were what caused me to over tense my muscles and clenching my jaw. Mines much worse after standing and doing housework for some time. Much better when im lying down. Hopefully my gp refers me for a scan bevause firstly they have sent me to a physio which should be done of course . However I think I need a scan . Also having tingling around my mouth. My blood pressure checks arent convincing them but its catching it when it happens.

[@user-cl2vi3iy4r]

Very interesting information. I had suspicion it is part of my problems. But I don't know how to work on this without a doctor versed in this art :(

[@dockeiser]

I’m glad to hear this is information that helps you. This is a situation where it might be best to use someone who is trained rather than a diy approach. Obviously I don’t know your circumstances, but moving quickly and putting it in the rear view mirror may be worth considering. Good luck and keep us posted!!

[@kitrinanapier4788]

How much is your program for someone from out of state and how long does it take for initial program? Can you do virtual visits after the first few weeks when you visit more frequently?

[@dockeiser]

Hi there! We would be happy to have you give our office a call. Claire would be happy to answer all of your questions about treatment costs and duration. (734)-707-5105

[@stargazer1359]

Could this possibly cause Central Apnea?

[@tobieyoung8307]

Wow! Using a family account but I have severe neck issues and lordosis problems and also pots syndrome that affects so much is this possibly due to my neck issues?

[@zakyvids6566]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/o5LLZn-vZcd9j7s this person recovered from pots

[@dockeiser]

It’s hard to say for sure, but it might be worth looking into!

[@debbiecampbell2224]

where are you located?

[@sharonschauer3257]

I have been 24/7365 dizzy for 12 years. I had all the vestibular testing (horrible btw) that didn't show a problem yet they still sent me to vestibular rehab twice. I have blood pooling inn my feet and hands and my neck always is stiff and I have a headache every morning all these years. My left ring and pinky swell as well as my right ankle every day. Gut issues too. I am wondering if my neck is the problem even though I have never had an injury? I always fail the romberg test also.

[@dockeiser]

I would be really interested in learning more about your case if you can

[@sharonschauer3257]

@@dockeiser Sure. Like what? I did lyme treatment, mold treatment, hormone replacement, chiro, PEMF, essential oils, suppplements and probably more I can't remember over the years.

[@dockeiser]

@@sharonschauer3257 I’d actually like to know more about your history. Probably more than we can do in this format. If you’d like, email me at [e-mail]

[@olivialawrence2707]

What are the treatments?? And what type of doctor do you go to

[@zeek4749]

Functional neurologist

[@karenmorgan5517]

Do you have any videos on hypotension only when supine (ie 96/58)? I can’t find any info on google other than hypotension during pregnancy. It’s sounds like the opposite of orthostatic hypotension. And, no major changes in heart rate.

[@dockeiser]

Hi there! Is it normal when seated or upright and then drops?

[@sgal4293]

My 20 year old son’s symptoms. Hyper mobile/ Severe brain fog/ severe Weakness in arms and legs upon awakening lasting two hours to return to normal/ POTS/ both ears closed off. Any thoughts? HELP!

[@dockeiser]

Give us a call to discuss or email [e-mail] Good luck 🙏

[@stephaniew4168]

What if you have TOS? My 11 yo has severe POTS and I've been trying to get to the bottom of it for years. She has evidence of an unstable cervical spine in her MRIs, has a syrinx and 1 low tonsil as well as compression of the subclavian vein when she lifts her arm a little bit and huge collatoral veins down her arm. What is causing what and can we fix this without surgery?!

[@stephaniew4168]

EDS of course....

[@dockeiser]

This answer would probably require more info than you can give me in a text box. Would you like to give a call or email and we can have a look at the problem better?

[@becky6598]

Hi Dr Keizer, have you seen cases where the tachycardia reduces greatly but the Vestibular problems get worse? That seem to be the case for me.

[@dockeiser]

Hi there, when you say vestibular problems what do you mean in particular?

[@becky6598]

​@@dockeiser well I sought treatment for POTS as my main problem, though I have dysautonomia with balance problems and other symptoms. After 8 weeks of therapy and then a month of vacation with LOTS of sleep, my POTS symptoms are reduced quite a bit but I’m feeling significantly more off balance. My latest tilt table test shows improvement to almost normal HR and BP, and my CAPS test got better in 4 directions but worse in 4 other directions, and on my VHIT test the LARP and RALP gains all decreased.

[@becky6598]

And in the last week, I’ve felt much more off balance, while my heart rate has gone up a bit, but not to previously high levels.

[@Mah_Roshi]

I have a neck hump and bad posture so I started doing exercises to fix that but my POTS asymptoms got worse so maybe that’s why 😮 another think I found out there is a link between pots , adhd , hyper mobility, fibromyalgia and I have all of em ,

[@loanadooty]

Same girl sameee !!! Did you find something that works

[@832Pokemom]

Can reverse neck cause POTS if there is some compression? Would symptoms such as feeling extra pressure in the head and face and fullness in the ears and hearing blood rushing in the ears upon laying down be related? Or for example when I stand up I feel a little extra pressure build in my head for a short while until my heart rate gets up? I am really kind of lost in this search for what is causing my POTS. I have a cardiologist, seen a neurosurgeon and have a chiro i see 4 days a week and I still have the very tight burning upper back and neck muscles plus the POTS. I see you in late July but was hoping for some answers or relief sooner. What direction can I go from here locally? Who can find the root cause if the lack of blood supply to my brain?

[@dockeiser]

This is a great question. With all of those pieces in motion, I’d have to examine the problem to give a responsible answer. Is it possible? Yes. But to give more depth I need to collect more data. I understand how bad you just want to be done with this. I would feel the same. I don’t want to point you in the wrong direction. I am very much looking forward to seeing you in July. Feel free to keep supplying us information via the email. See you soon!

[@saughatumadhusa8557]

@832Pokemom I feel the pressure in the head and I also have a loss of curve it seems like there is some correlation with the neck but not 100% sure They say it can kzbin.info/www/bejne/jKSQhHuNgdKYrZo

[@MsThriftygirl]

@@dockeiser 12:37

[@keyylarr66]

Helo im male 28. Last year i injured my left neck in a excercisse, its pained very hard. After this i get heart palpilations, and pain always on the left side. After i got this pain from the excercisse i can‘t sleep for 3 days, because of heart palpilations and massive neck pain, the Doktor says its all good, but the pain don‘t go. Cardiologist said all ok. But the neck hurts. When i sleep without a pillow, my neck dont hurts, and i can sleep again.. Now when i doing some excercisse, i got panic, and scary feelings.. and pots when i do special excersise, what can i do, im feeling like i am in a horror movie since 1 year..

[@stephanieburt1662]

That's so strange about the pillow because I'm the same I need like a flat pillow and never have I felt comfortable with that .

[@keyylarr66]

@@stephanieburt1662 yes really it is, now i put something on under my neck a hand towel, or something soft, and i didnt feel pain anymore…

[@chzfootball3578]

​@@keyylarr66update

[@BHLPhilly]

You keep talking about pots caused by an injury. What about those of us who have it for genetic reasons? I'm pretty sure my mom had it, I have it, and my sons both have it. It's very possibly from EDS, but I haven't gotten the test results back yet.

[@lourdafinn6528]

But what doctor treats your neck issues. ???

[@aaronm51921]

Hi Dr, I think I know where my pots symptoms have come from but I'm struggling to even get an help from my GP over the last year with it. I think it all started when I crashed a jet ski, I went in a sort of horizontal position and smacked my face in the jet ski. Since a few weeks after that I started get stomach issues, then the feeling that someone had filled my head with hot water and the worst continuous headache for 3 days. The headaches went over the course of a month. I'm now left with eye issues, new high BP and the tachycardia that goes along with pots. What I did notice is that I get pain in what I believe is the atlas/c1 part of my neck so I don't know if that is causing the issues

[@aaronm51921]

@@compscif5032 hi thanks for the reply. I've not really had any help to be honest, had some blood tests that were clear. No sort of scans or anything as my doctor just keeps telling me that it's anxiety so I've stopped having much faith in them to be honest. I saw a physiotherapist for a session and they identified an issue in the lower back that they believe is causing the pain in one of my legs so I think I'll go back to them and see if they can refer me further to my GP to get a scan of some sort. I just feel twisted all the time too, like I'm misaligned. I managed to get an ECG too which came back as sinus tachycardia, once again just brushed off as anxiety which is annoying

[@poisonpalette4663]

I have been poorly for almost 5yrs Pots symptoms Chronic fatigue my neck hurts everyday the muscles are tight I have hemplegic migraine with aura, but even without a migraine attack I have headaches everyday, blood pooling in my legs Pins and needles all the time in different parts of my body, I literally want to give up as I can’t work I don’t go out much anymore I suffer anxeity the past two years since my life became housebound. I’ve seen nuro cardiology endocrinologist chest an pain clinic physio chiropractor osteopath acupuncture the list goes on what I have tried. I had a traumatic event to my neck when I was in my teens I fell backwards of a wall an hit my head in concrete but I recovered well, just before I got sick five years ago I was physically assaulted, my neck was compressed an a few days later my face started having electric shock type spasms that would shoot up my neck an into my face, this happened often turned my head a certain way an it would trigger it and then a headache lasting days, The mri was normal It progressed which is why I went down chiropractor then a few months later the pots symptoms and digestive issues happened I’ve not been able to get to the root cause of everything or help I’m on tramadol an codeine but that isn’t helping anymore, It almost feels like my head is too heavy for my body if that makes sense I have to lie down a lot as I can support my head for long periods of time as the pain is to much I don’t know what or where to go next apart from surrender

[@madmezra]

Have you had your blood checked and have you been tested for autoimmune disorder or connective tissue disorders

[@Mari-dl5wt]

It sounds like CCI-craniocervical instability

[@poisonpalette4663]

@@Mari-dl5wt they said the mri with contrast didn’t find it and now just left again :(

[@Mari-dl5wt]

@@poisonpalette4663 You need an upright MRI or DMX (digital motion x ray).