Posted on30 October 2025,in

How to Resolve Dysautonomia: If you’ve ever felt like your body has its foot stuck on the gas pedal—heart racing for no reason, dizzy when you stand up, brain fog that steals your words, gut that never quite “settles”—you are not alone. People across Sarasota, Lakewood Ranch, Bradenton, and all around Manatee County search daily for “chiropractor near me,” “upper cervical chiropractor near me,” “Vertigo doctor near me,” or even “Migraine doctor near me,” because they’re desperate for a natural, root-cause solution to dysautonomia and POTS.

At Lavender Family Chiropractic in Sarasota, Dr. Rusty Lavender and Dr. Jacob Temple help patients every day who have been told to “just manage” their symptoms. Our approach is different: identify the neurological bottleneck—often a precise upper cervical misalignment at the top of the neck—and restore normal communication between your brain and body using gentle, exact, no-twist adjustments. When you correct the why, the what (your symptoms) can finally start to change.

Below, you’ll learn what dysautonomia really is, how it fuels POTS, migraines, vagus nerve problems, fibromyalgia-type pain, anxiety, and digestive issues like IBS, GERD, and constipation, and how upper cervical chiropractic at Lavender Family Chiropractic helps your nervous system rebalance—naturally.

How to Resolve Dysautonomia and What Is It?—and Why Is It So Confusing?

Dysautonomia is an umbrella term for disorders of the autonomic nervous system (ANS)—the part of your nervous system that runs everything you don’t consciously think about: heart rate, blood pressure, digestion, temperature regulation, pupil size, sweating, and the balance between “fight/flight” (sympathetic) and “rest/digest” (parasympathetic).

Because the ANS touches every organ system, dysautonomia rarely shows up as one symptom. Instead, it looks like a scattered puzzle:

Lightheadedness when you stand, racing heart, palpitations
Cold hands/feet, temperature dysregulation
Brain fog, fatigue, sleep issues, anxiety or panic feelings
Nausea, bloating, IBS, GERD, slow or irregular motility (constipation)
Head pressure, migraines, sensitivity to light/sound
Exercise intolerance or post-exertional malaise
“Random” symptom flares tied to stress, illness, or weather

Patients often see multiple specialists and still get told “Your labs are normal.” That’s because dysautonomia is about dysregulation, not always “damage” that shows up on routine labwork. The key question isn’t “What organ is broken?” but “Why is the control center misfiring?”

POTS, Orthostatic Intolerance, and the Autonomic “Tilt”

One of the most recognized forms of dysautonomia is POTS (Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome)—a dramatic rise in heart rate upon standing, often with dizziness, tunnel vision, or fatigue. Others experience neurocardiogenic syncope (fainting), or orthostatic hypotension (blood pressure drops when upright). These are not “in your head.” They’re signs that the autonomic circuits responsible for blood flow and vessel tone aren’t synchronizing as you change position.

So what causes the mismatch? For many, a hidden factor sits just millimeters away from the brainstem.

The Upper Cervical Link: Atlas (C1), Axis (C2), and Your Brainstem

At the very top of your spine are two uniquely shaped bones—the atlas (C1) and axis (C2). Together, they cradle and protect your brainstem and provide an exit corridor for critical nerves—especially the vagus nerve, the chief driver of parasympathetic (“rest/digest”) function. Think of the brainstem as your Autonomic Mission Control. Every breath, heartbeat, and blood vessel adjustment relies on clear signals flowing through this region.

Even a small atlas misalignment (often from old injuries, whiplash, sports impacts, dental work strain, tech neck, or birth/childhood trauma) can subtly alter:

Brainstem mechanics and fluid dynamics
Vagal tone (the ability to shift into calm/restorative states)
Baroreflex sensitivity (moment-to-moment blood pressure regulation)
Cervical proprioception (neck sensors that help your brain map posture and balance)

When that happens, your body can feel “stuck” in sympathetic overdrive—racing pulse, tight chest, trouble sleeping, poor gut motility, “always on edge,” and more. Correct the misalignment, and communication improves—your system finally gets permission to calm down and self-regulate.

Symptoms We Commonly See with Dysautonomia (and Why They Connect)

1) Heart and Blood Vessel Symptoms

Rapid heart rate, palpitations, orthostatic intolerance, fainting episodes
Cold hands/feet from vasoconstriction, variable blood pressure
Why: Brainstem interference and lowered vagal tone push sympathetic dominance; baroreflex control gets noisy, so your cardiovascular system overshoots or undershoots.

2) Migraines, Head Pressure, Dizziness

Migraines with aura, light/sound sensitivity, tension at the skull base
Dizzy spells, feeling “boat-like,” visual vertigo, neck tightness
Why: Upper cervical misalignment can alter blood flow dynamics, pain processing, and cervical proprioception—fueling migraines and balance issues.

3) Anxiety, Panic Sensations, Brain Fog

Racing thoughts, startled easily, “wired but tired”
Memory lapses, word-finding struggles, slowed processing
Why: If sympathetic drive is chronically elevated, your brain reads it as threat. HRV (heart rate variability) drops; you feel anxious because your body is anxious.

4) Digestive Problems: IBS, GERD, Constipation

Alternating constipation/diarrhea, bloating, reflux, nausea
Why: The vagus nerve manages motility and digestive secretions. When vagal signaling is impaired, motility slows (constipation), coordination falters (IBS), and sphincter tone changes (GERD).

5) Fibromyalgia-Type Pain, Fatigue, Poor Recovery

Widespread tenderness, unrefreshing sleep, post-exertional crashes
Why: A dysregulated ANS amplifies pain signals, disrupts sleep stages, and impairs mitochondrial recovery. Rebalance the system and the body becomes more resilient.

Why “Managing Symptoms” Isn’t Enough (and What Gets Missed)

Medications, compression garments, hydration, salt loading, and graded activity often help—but they don’t always resolve the root circuitry problem. If the upper cervical complex is subtly misaligned, the autonomic system is constantly compensating. It’s like driving with the parking brake on: you can pump more gas (add supports), but you’ll never cruise smoothly until the brake is released.

That’s where upper cervical chiropractic is different. We don’t chase symptoms—we restore alignment and neurological clarity at the source.

Upper Cervical Care at Lavender Family Chiropractic (Sarasota, FL)

Dr. Rusty Lavender and Dr. Jacob Temple are dedicated upper cervical chiropractors serving Sarasota, Lakewood Ranch, Bradenton, Parrish, Ellenton, Venice, Osprey, Punta Gorda, St. Petersburg, Siesta Key, Longboat Key, Lido Key, and Myakka City. Our care is:

Gentle, precise, and personalized
No twisting, popping, or forceful manipulation
Guided by state-of-the-art 3D CBCT imaging and Tytron functional nervous system scans (paraspinal infrared thermography)
Focused on neurological outcomes—calmer ANS, better vagal tone, improved HRV, clearer headspace, steadier digestion
We are the only Upper Cervical Chiropractors in Sarasota that practice Knee Chest Upper Cervical chiropractic- A gentle but extremely efficient technique.

Your First Visits: What to Expect

In-Depth Consultation & Neuro-History
We map your symptom “constellation”: POTS episodes, migraine patterns, IBS/GERD triggers, sleep, anxiety flares, exercise tolerance, concussion/whiplash history, and more.
3D CBCT Imaging of C1/C2
We capture precise angles and ligament relationships in three dimensions. This reveals misalignments that standard x-rays can miss and lets us plan an individualized correction.
Tytron Functional Nervous System Scan
Non-invasive infrared thermography evaluates autonomic patterns along your spine—helpful for both baseline and progress checks.
Custom Upper Cervical Correction
Using a gentle, exact adjustment (no twisting or cracking), we restore the atlas/axis relationship so your brainstem and vagus nerve can do their jobs with less interference.
Post-Correction Checks
We re-scan, reassess posture and balance cues, and discuss next steps. Many patients report immediate changes: easier breathing, lighter head pressure, calmer heart rhythm, or a surprising sense of “internal quiet.”
Stabilization & Habits
As alignment holds longer, we space visits out and add supportive strategies (sleep, hydration/minerals, vagal toning drills, nasal breathing, gentle vestibular cues) so your improvements are durable.

How Correcting C1/C2 Can Change Daily Life with Dysautonomia

POTS & Orthostatic Intolerance: Standing becomes less dramatic; heart rate spikes soften; you can think and talk while upright.
Migraines & Head Pressure: Fewer flares, less light/sound sensitivity, faster recovery; neck feels freer.
Anxiety & Sleep: A calmer baseline, easier transitions into rest, improved HRV; fewer “panic-like” surges triggered by postural shifts.
IBS/GERD/Constipation: Motility steadies, reflux episodes decrease, bloating settles; bathroom habits become more predictable.
Fibromyalgia-Type Pain & Fatigue: Lower pain “volume,” better sleep quality, and improved exercise tolerance.

Important note: We don’t treat conditions—we correct misalignment and restore neurological clarity. Your body does the healing. As the nervous system recalibrates, symptoms often diminish across multiple systems at once. That’s the hallmark of a root-cause intervention.

Vagus Nerve 101: The “Brake Pedal” Your Body Has Been Missing

The vagus nerve signals safety. It slows heart rate, coordinates digestion, supports immune balance, and fosters a sense of calm. With upper cervical interference, vagal tone drops and sympathetic tone rises—your physiology lives on high alert. Many patients try vagus nerve exercises (humming, gargling, cold exposure) and get limited results. Once atlas alignment is restored, those same exercises often become powerful, because the pathway is clear.

Why Our Imaging Matters: 3D CBCT + Tytron Scans

3D CBCT shows the exact spatial orientation of C1/C2, joints, and surrounding structures. That precision lets us tailor your correction to your unique anatomy.
Tytron thermography helps us measure autonomic patterns in real time, so we’re not guessing whether your nervous system is changing—we’re tracking it.

This data-driven process is why our corrections are light yet effective and why patients describe our approach as gentle, specific, and lasting.

Care You Can Feel—Stories from Our Community

“I used to plan my day around my POTS. After care with Dr. Lavender and Dr. Temple, I can stand and move without feeling like I’ll pass out. My digestion is finally normal.”
“My migraines were weekly, and my anxiety was through the roof. Within weeks of upper cervical care, I’m sleeping through the night and the headaches are rare—and milder.”
“I thought I had just ‘become’ an anxious person. Turns out my body was stuck in fight-or-flight. Getting my neck corrected gave me my calm back.”

While every body heals at its own pace, these stories share a pattern: when the nervous system is free to regulate, life opens up.

Lifestyle Support That Amplifies Your Results

We’ll tailor suggestions to your history and goals, but common themes include:

Hydration + Minerals: Especially with orthostatic symptoms.
Consistent Sleep Window: Stabilizes autonomic rhythms.
Nasal Breathing & Light Mobility: Encourages vagal tone, improves CO₂ balance.
Gentle Vestibular/Balance Re-training: Recalibrates head-neck-eye coordination.
Trigger Awareness Without Fear: As your baseline calms, triggers lose power.

These are not band-aids—they’re amplifiers. With the atlas corrected, these habits help your nervous system consolidate a healthier pattern.

Who We Serve (and Where We Serve)

We care for teens, adults, athletes, parents, busy professionals—anyone ready to pursue a root-cause approach. Many drive from across the Suncoast to work with us, including Sarasota, Bradenton, Lakewood Ranch, Parrish, Ellenton, Venice, Osprey, Punta Gorda, St. Petersburg, Siesta Key, Longboat Key, Lido Key, and Myakka City. If you’ve been searching “upper cervical chiropractor near me” or “chiropractor Sarasota Florida,” we’re honored to be your next step.

Top 15 FAQs About Dysautonomia, POTS, and Upper Cervical Care

1) What exactly is dysautonomia?
Dysautonomia is a dysfunction of the autonomic nervous system that disrupts heart rate, blood pressure, temperature control, digestion, and stress responses—all the “automatic” functions that keep you stable.

2) How can my neck affect my heart rate or digestion?
The upper cervical spine protects the brainstem and surrounds the vagus nerve. Even small misalignments can alter brainstem signaling and vagal tone, changing cardiovascular reflexes and gut motility.

3) I have POTS—can upper cervical care help?
Many POTS patients experience improved orthostatic tolerance as the nervous system rebalances following atlas correction. Results vary, but we routinely see meaningful changes in day-to-day function.

4) I get chronic migraines—what’s the connection?
Upper cervical misalignment can influence blood flow, pain processing, and head/neck proprioception. Correcting C1/C2 often reduces migraine frequency and intensity over time.

5) Can this help IBS, GERD, or constipation?
Yes. By improving vagal signaling and autonomic coordination, many patients notice steadier motility, less reflux, and reduced bloating.

6) Are the adjustments safe? Will you twist my neck?
Our corrections are gentle and precise—no twisting, yanking, or forceful popping. We use imaging and neurology-guided protocols to deliver the least amount of force for the greatest neurological impact.

7) What technologies do you use?
We utilize 3D CBCT imaging for exact structural analysis and Tytron functional nervous system scans to track autonomic patterns and progress.

8) How soon will I notice changes?
Some people feel shifts immediately—calmer heartbeat, clearer head, easier breathing. Others change more gradually as the nervous system unwinds. Our scans and check-ins help us adapt your plan.

9) Will I need lifelong adjustments?
Our goal is stability. As your correction “holds” longer, we lengthen visit intervals. We’ll also coach you on the lifestyle details that help you hold alignment.

10) Can you help if I’ve had symptoms for years?
Chronic cases can still improve. The timeline may be longer, but the nervous system is adaptable at every age.

11) What if I’ve tried “everything”?
Upper cervical care is often the missing piece because it targets the control center rather than chasing symptoms. Many of our patients come to us last—and wish they’d come first.

12) Do you work with other providers?
Yes. We’re collaborative and will gladly coordinate with your primary care doctor, cardiology, neurology, gastroenterology, physical therapy, or psychotherapy team.

13) Can kids and teens receive care?
Absolutely. Our methods are gentle and tailored to each patient’s size and needs.

14) Do I need a referral?
No referral is necessary. You can call or schedule directly.

15) Do you accept insurance?
Our office is out of network with insurance. Many of our patients receive a superbill to submit to their insurance for reimbursement based on their coverage. We offer many different payment options as well as finance options.

Why Choose Lavender Family Chiropractic

Specialized Expertise: We focus on upper cervical chiropractic, day in and day out.
Advanced Imaging: 3D CBCT + Tytron means precision and measurable progress.
Gentle, No-Twist Corrections: Comfortable, effective, and custom to your anatomy.
Root-Cause Philosophy: We don’t chase symptoms—we restore regulation.
Community Trust: Known by many as the best upper cervical chiropractors in Sarasota and Manatee County for complex cases like dysautonomia, POTS, migraines, vertigo, and digestive dysautonomia.

Your Next Step: Clarity, Calm, and Real Hope

If you’re living with dysautonomia, you’ve likely been incredibly strong for a very long time. But you don’t have to keep “pushing through” without answers. When the upper cervical spine is corrected and the brainstem-vagus axis is free to work, your body can finally shift out of survival and into healing.

Schedule your consultation with Dr. Rusty Lavender or Dr. Jacob Temple today. Let’s map your story, measure your autonomic patterns, and begin a plan that helps your body to heal naturally and rebalance itself so you start to feel and live better!