dysautonomia NEURO REHAB CHIROPRACTOR MELBOURNE

Dysautonomia is an umbrella term covering a range of conditions involving autonomic nervous system dysfunction. Those seen and supported at this practice include:

• POTS — Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome
• Neurocardiogenic syncope (fainting driven by nervous system dysregulation)
• Orthostatic hypotension (blood pressure drops on standing)
• Autonomic dysfunction following concussion or whiplash
• Post-viral or post-illness autonomic dysregulation
• Chronic fatigue related autonomic imbalance
• Many patients arrive with a partial diagnosis or no diagnosis at all — having been told their tests are normal despite debilitating symptoms. A Functional Neurology assessment can identify autonomic dysregulation that standard testing does not capture.

This is one of the most distressing aspects of Dysautonomia for patients. Standard medical tests — blood work, ECGs, MRI scans — are designed to identify structural or biochemical pathology. They are not designed to assess how efficiently the brain and nervous system are regulating autonomic function in real time.

A Functional Neurology assessment evaluates the nervous system differently, looking at how the brainstem, vestibular system, visual pathways, upper cervical spine, and autonomic regulation are all functioning and communicating together. This reveals dysregulation that standard tests do not capture, and provides a clear picture of what is actually driving symptoms.

A Brain First Chiropractic Approach™ addresses the root cause. Care focuses on improving how the brain and nervous system regulate posture, balance, circulation and sensory input, which can support symptom stability and functional improvement.

The Brain First Approach™ starts with a thorough Functional Neurology assessment covering brainstem integration, vestibular pathways, upper cervical spine mechanics, visual system function, and autonomic regulation — all evaluated together to identify where the dysregulation is originating.

Treatment then addresses those findings directly through:

• Brain-based Chiropractic care — restoring accurate mechanical and neurological input from the upper cervical spine to the brainstem
• Functional Neurology Rehabilitation — retraining brainstem integration, sensory processing, and autonomic regulation pathways
• Balance and sensory integration input — improving how the nervous system processes and responds to positional and movement information
• Nervous system regulation strategies — gentle, graded input designed to build regulatory capacity without triggering flare-ups
• Lifestyle medicine strategies — supporting autonomic stability through evidence-based lifestyle guidance
• Medical Laser Therapy — reducing inflammation and supporting neurological tissue recovery
• All care is adapted to your tolerance. 

Dysautonomia does not require forcing the body to cope — it requires restoring regulation from within the nervous system.

Consider a Functional Neurology assessment if your symptoms are persistent, fluctuate, or worsen with stress, illness, or physical exertion. Particularly if you experience:

• Dizziness or light-headedness, palpitations, or blood pressure changes
• Ongoing fatigue, post-exertional exhaustion, brain fog, or poor concentration
• Temperature intolerance, digestive disturbances, or shortness of breath
• Anxiety, feeling unsettled, or difficulty regulating stress responses
• Symptoms that began or worsened after a head or neck injury or viral illness

No GP referral is required. If you have an existing diagnosis from a specialist, that information is welcomed and factored into the assessment.

Most standard dysautonomia management focuses on symptom control — medication to manage heart rate or blood pressure, compression garments, increased fluid and salt intake. These can provide partial relief but they do not address why the autonomic nervous system is dysregulating in the first place.

If the neurological drivers — disrupted brainstem input, vestibular dysfunction, poor upper cervical spine mechanics, inefficient sensory integration — are never identified and treated, the underlying dysregulation continues regardless of how well symptoms are managed day to day.

 Addressing the cause rather than compensating for it is what produces genuine and sustainable improvement.

Fluctuating symptoms are a hallmark of dysautonomia and reflect the nervous system's inconsistent ability to regulate. On days when additional demands are placed on the system — stress, illness, poor sleep, heat, physical exertion — the autonomic nervous system cannot compensate adequately, and symptoms worsen.

On better days, the system is just managing to cope. This variability is not imagined and it is not random — it directly reflects the state of autonomic regulation. Improving how the brain and nervous system regulate is what reduces both the frequency and severity of these fluctuations over time.

Yes. Post-viral autonomic dysregulation, including that associated with long COVID, is one of the presentations seen at this practice. Viral illness can trigger or worsen autonomic nervous system dysfunction, leaving patients with persistent fatigue, brain fog, heart rate instability, dizziness, and post-exertional exhaustion long after the acute illness has resolved.

The Brain First Approach™ assesses where the neurological dysregulation is occurring and supports recovery by restoring regulation within the nervous system, addressing the underlying neurological disruption rather than managing individual symptoms in isolation.

Yes. Care is carefully paced and adapted to individual tolerance. Sessions are designed to support regulation without pushing the system into overload or symptom flares.

No, but it is strongly advised to moderate your activities depending upon your individual experience. Care does not require stopping exercise unless medically indicated. The focus is on improving nervous system regulation so tolerance to movement, posture and activity can gradually improve.

When we start using the Brain First Approach, your brain changes within seconds.  The duration of these changes varies between individuals. Some people notice early changes in stability, clarity or tolerance, while others experience more gradual improvements as nervous system regulation and capacity build over time. You will receive specific and graduated take home movement patterns that will help you create positive change faster.

Yes. All care at this practice is carefully calibrated to your tolerance and adapted at every session based on how your nervous system is responding.

The goal is to introduce novel input that recalibrates your senses and builds regulatory capacity gradually and safely, without overwhelming a system that is already under stress. Avoiding symptom flare-ups is a core principle of the approach.

Yes. Chronic Fatigue Syndrome commonly overlaps with dysautonomia and balance disorders. A Brain First Approach™ is designed to support nervous system regulation across these interconnected conditions.

No. Care may be appropriate for people with a formal diagnosis or those experiencing symptoms consistent with autonomic nervous system dysregulation.

Yes, chiropractic care is covered by most extras policies including Medibank, BUPA, HCF, NIB and AHM. I process health fund claims on the spot. Rebate amounts vary by policy — worth checking with your fund before booking.