POTS Management Program In Knoxville
Dysautonomia is a dysfunction of the Autonomic Nervous System – the part of your nervous system that is responsible for everything that happens “automatically” – such as heart rate, blood pressure, digestion, temperature, and breathing.
Symptoms Of POTS
POTS can manifest as lightheadedness, fainting, and rapid heartbeat. Because of this dysfunction in the autonomic nervous systems, people with POTS may have trouble staying active. Physical deconditioning can also cause symptoms to worsen. People with POTS can be helped by physical therapy and endurance training.
Our Program In Knoxville
We recognize that each person is an individual and has different symptoms, responding to treatment differently. Using a team approach, we feel it is extremely important to “meet you where you are at”. Listening to your journey and finding out what the biggest areas of challenge are and developing a program that works for you. In our sessions, we address the following pillars:
Movement/Exercise: Exercise training has been proven to expand blood volume as well as increase cardiac muscle mass and heart size. These in turn have been associated with improvement of symptoms.
Hydration and Nutrition: Increased fluid intake and a salty diet are a very important area of focus and can help with decreasing lightheadedness and dizziness. But, it doesn’t end there. We POTS (Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome) is a form of Dysautonomia that causes rapid heart rate and an inability to tolerate being uprightwill discuss general nutrition and possible use of supplements.
Lifestyle: Here we discuss various strategies, education and emotional
support to help manage your daily activities and routines.
Sleep: Poor sleep quality can be a huge contributing factor to increased symptoms. We will talk about different options such as sleep postures, bed positioning, and relaxation techniques.
What To Expect From Physical Therapy In Knoxville?
For people with POTS, physical therapists can use different levels of exercise. For those with severe disabilities, such as bedridden patients, level one would be the best. These activities include stretching, squeezing pillows between your legs, arms, and feet, writing the alphabet with your toes, and leg lifts on your side or back. Although many of these exercises are difficult to do at first, it is worth doing some each day.
People with POTS can likely begin with level 2 exercises. Levels two and three should be preceded by a warm-up of yoga or stretching for five to ten minutes. Level two includes rowing, weight training, strength training, swimming and recumbent biking. Some of these exercises may seem difficult at first, but they will become easier as you do them more often.
Level two exercisers with POTS can increase their exercise tolerance and move on to level three. They should be able to exercise for 45 minutes at most three times per week. These sessions should focus on cardiovascular exercise and leg strength. Examples of level three exercises include the elliptical and treadmill, stair stepper, jump rope, arm bike, and stair stepper.
Different Treatments Used At Marino Physiotherapy
The effectiveness of physical therapy for POTS has been proven to be significant in improving symptoms. Our physical therapists will help you identify endurance and strengthening exercises that can improve blood flow and reduce fatigue.
Our physical therapists might use the following treatments:
Manual therapy techniques.
Manual therapy techniques like joint mobilization or massage will be performed by your physical therapist to reduce pain, increase blood flow and improve range of motion.
Ultrasound.
This treatment stimulates blood circulation and heals by heating tissues, tendons and muscles.
Functional strengthening.
Exercises for strength and endurance in the lower limbs will reduce fatigue, heaviness, blood flow, and other symptoms.
Stretching exercises.
Stretching can increase flexibility and blood flow, which can help reduce inflammation and pain.
Our physical therapists can help you feel great again if you have POTS or any symptoms related to it. Call us today to get started!
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Amy McGhee
Marino physiotherapy is a lifesaver! My daughter suffers from a vast array of medical conditions including POTS. We searched all over Knoxville for a therapy center that could help her manage her POTS with aquatic therapy. We choose Marino because they were the only center with a pool and knowledge about how to treat a patient with POTS and hyper mobility. My daughter has been attending therapy since the summer and the progress she has made is incredible! The amount of flare days has significantly decreased and her quality of life has greatly improved. Thanks to Alaina and the rest of the Marino Physical Therapy team! You all are helping to improve lives!!!
Jaleh Rogers
I have been treated by many physiotherapist past 30 years, this place and people are completely at much higher level of excellence .I had an incident last September and had many issue related to the knee, couldn’t get any relief until 3 weeks go that I started at Marino physiotherapy. I already feeling much improvement and able to walk without stopping every 15 minutes. Thank you so much to everyone you all are amazing and I feel lucky to be treated by you all.