Chronic Fatigue and Autonomic Health
From POTS to flare-driven crashes, we uncover how dysautonomia and fatigue are connected. At Conrad Spine and Sport, our goal isn’t just to give you more energy. It’s to restore the stability your nervous system needs to recover and thrive.
POTS & Circulation
We address the dizziness, racing heart, and instability that come from poor autonomic regulation, helping you trust your body again.
Energy Crashes
Chronic fatigue isn’t about willpower. We map the real drivers behind your energy crashes, from mitochondrial dysfunction to nervous system overload.
Sleep & Recovery
Poor sleep and circadian rhythm disruption keep the body stuck in flare mode. We build regulation strategies that reset your recovery cycles.
Flare Connection
Autonomic dysregulation links directly to pain flares. We reduce triggers, improve tolerance, and help your system handle stress without crashing.
Whole-Body Strategy
This isn’t about pacing alone. It’s a targeted plan combining breathwork, movement, and functional insights so your energy is stable and sustainable.
Dysautonomia
From heart rate variability to nervous system instability, we uncover and address the full spectrum of dysautonomia giving you clarity on what’s really driving your fatigue.
How We Help:
Stabilize → Build → Stay Better
We don’t chase symptoms. We calm the system driving your crashes, then build capacity in short, smart steps so your energy becomes reliable again.
Regulation First
- Breath pacing & HRV practice (simple 60-second drills)
- Orthostatic strategy: positions, transitions, hydration/salt
- Sleep & circadian tune-ups (wind-down, wake timing, light cues)
Early wins (Weeks 0–2): fewer “stand wobbles,” steadier mornings, clearer head.
Controlled Loading
- Positional strength & carries (low volume, high control)
- Progression you can trust: time/effort before intensity
- Post-meal tweaks to blunt dips and smooth afternoons
Typical gains (Weeks 3–6): fewer crashes, better heat tolerance, more good days.
Resilience & Maintenance
- “High-output day” plan (work, travel, heat) you can rely on
- Flare insurance: what to do today so you don’t lose the week
- Targeted testing only if flags suggest deeper drivers
Outcomes (Weeks 7–12+): longer activity blocks, fewer flare spikes, confidence you can trust.
Is This a Fit?
Who We Help Best
We’re a great match if you want a clear plan, measurable wins, and energy you can trust, not another generic routine.
These sound like you
You’re ready to stabilize your system and build capacity in short, smart steps.
- ✓You crash after standing, heat, or meals. Even when you “take it easy.”
- ✓You’ll work a regulation-first plan (breath pacing, positions, hydration/salt).
- ✓You want controlled loading to expand activity windows — NOT a one-size-fits-all plan.
- ✓You value measurable progress: fewer crashes, steadier mornings, more good days.
It’s probably not for you
We won’t be a match if you’re looking for quick fixes or passive care.
- —You want to “do less” without building tolerance or autonomy.
- —You prefer symptom-chasing over a systems approach (autonomic, sleep, post-meal strategy).
- —You’re unwilling to track a few simple signals for 1–2 weeks.
- —You need urgent/emergency care (we’ll refer you to appropriate medical services).
Not sure? That’s normal. A Discovery Visit gives you clarity and an actionable plan - no pressure.
Outcomes & Timeline:
Calm → Capacity → Tolerance → Ownership
Progress is staged—not magic. Here’s how wins typically stack when we focus on regulation first and build capacity you can trust.
Calm the Chaos
Breath pacing, orthostatic strategy (positions, transitions, hydration/salt), and sleep rhythm tune-ups reduce system overload.
Short Bouts, Better Recovery
Controlled loading (positional strength & carries), HRV practice, and simple post-meal tweaks expand your activity window without crashes.
Stability in Real Life
Longer work blocks, steadier energy, and confident movement patterns. Targeted testing only if flags suggest deeper drivers.
Durability & Maintenance
A routine that fits your life. High-output day plan (work, travel, heat), flare insurance steps, and maintenance you can run yourself.
Case Snapshot: After 10 weeks—stand tolerance +90s, good days 2→5/week, post-meal crashes −60%.
Why Most Fatigue Plans Fail... and What Works
If your “plan” was just rest, random supplements, or slowing down, it wasn’t a plan. Here’s how our approach actually stabilizes **autonomic health** and restores **real energy**.
Why It Misses the Mark
Symptom-chasing, siloed advice, and no way to measure progress.
- —“Rest more, do less” without building tolerance or nervous system flexibility.
- —Generic rehab that ignores POTS, HRV, and circadian rhythm.
- —Supplements thrown at fatigue without a model for flares or crashes.
- —No tracking of what actually improves capacity week to week.
Result: short-term relief (maybe), long-term plateaus, unpredictable crashes.
What Actually Works
A targeted plan that regulates, builds, and measures—so you can trust your energy again.
- ✓Regulation-first: breath pacing, orthostatic awareness, hydration/salt strategy.
- ✓Short, controlled loading (carries, positional work) that expands activity windows.
- ✓Sleep/circadian tuning and post-meal tweaks to reduce energy dips.
- ✓Progress you can see: fewer flares, steadier mornings, longer good days.
Outcome: calmer nervous system, fewer crashes, durable capacity.
Assessment Essentials: Quick Self-Checks
Use this fast checklist to connect fatigue, dizziness, and flares to autonomic patterns. Bring what you notice to your visit — we’ll map it to your drivers and build your plan.
Stand Test Awareness
From sitting to standing: lightheadedness, racing heart, or “vision fuzz”? Note time of day and context (after shower, after meal, during flare).
Breath & HRV Cue
60 seconds of slow breath (in 4, out 6). Do you calm or get jittery? This hints at autonomic flexibility vs. overload.
Post-Meal Energy Crash
Energy dip 30–90 minutes after eating? Note the meal (carb-heavy, histamine-dense). Connects gut-brain signaling to autonomic swings.
Sleep & Wake Rhythm
Time to fall asleep, awakenings, morning grogginess — irregular rhythms often ride with dysautonomia and higher flare risk.
Heat & Position Tolerance
Showers, warm rooms, or long standing make symptoms worse? Track how quickly it starts and how long recovery takes.
Recovery From Activity
After a short walk or light carry, do you rebound or crash later in the day? Delayed crashes inform pacing & progression.
FAQs:
What Most Patients Ask
Quick answers to the most common questions about chronic fatigue, POTS/dysautonomia, and how we work at Conrad Spine and Sport.
Do I need a formal POTS or EDS/HSD diagnosis to start?
No. We treat patterns and drivers (orthostatic intolerance, sleep/circadian issues, post-meal dips) whether or not you have a formal diagnosis. If we believe testing or referrals would help, we’ll guide you.
How soon might I feel a difference?
Many notice early wins in the first 2–3 weeks of the Foundation phase—fewer stand wobbles, steadier mornings, clearer plan. Deeper stability typically builds across 3–12 weeks, depending on your drivers and consistency.
Can I keep my current medications and providers?
Yes. We coordinate with your current care. Our focus is regulation-first and capacity building; nothing here requires stopping medications prescribed by your physician.
Is this just exercise? I crash after trying to “work out.”
It’s not a generic workout. We use short, controlled loading and positional work, layered on top of autonomic regulation and pacing. The goal is to expand your activity window without triggering crashes.
Do you offer remote options?
Yes. Many elements—assessment questions, breath/HRV practice, pacing strategy, and progression—work well via telehealth. If we need in-person sessions for specific drills, we’ll outline that clearly.
Do you do testing (e.g., MTHFR, methylation, labs)?
Only when the scorecard flags deeper drivers. Testing is targeted—not a fishing expedition—and used to personalize recovery when it will change care decisions.
How will we measure progress?
Simple, visible signals: stand tolerance, morning steadiness, number of “good days,” post-meal crashes, and ability to extend activity without payback. We adjust your plan based on these real-world metrics.
What if I have MCAS or flare cycles that spike randomly?
We plan for flares. Your roadmap includes “flare insurance” steps (regulation, pacing pivots, exposures) so you can stabilize faster and avoid losing the whole week.
Is this a replacement for medical care?
No. We complement your medical care. If we suspect red-flags or the need for specialty evaluation, we’ll refer promptly. This page is educational and not medical advice.