Understanding Dysautonomia: A Root-Cause Approach to a Complex Nervous System Disorder

Introduction: Why Dysautonomia is Often Misunderstood

Dysautonomia is one of the most commonly missed and misunderstood conditions in modern medicine. Patients are often told it’s “just anxiety,” or worse, that their symptoms are all in their head. Yet behind the dizziness, racing heart, digestive problems, temperature dysregulation, and unexplained fatigue is a very real disorder affecting the autonomic nervous system (ANS). At Movability, we see a wide range of patients who have struggled for years with vague symptoms and incomplete answers. One of the biggest problems with conventional care is that it treats the symptoms without ever asking the most important question: Why is the autonomic system misfiring in the first place?

What is Dysautonomia? A Breakdown of the Autonomic Nervous System

The autonomic nervous system regulates all the automatic functions of the body: heart rate, blood pressure, breathing, digestion, bladder control, pupil dilation, and more. It operates through two main branches:

  • Sympathetic Nervous System (SNS): the “fight or flight” system

  • Parasympathetic Nervous System (PNS): the “rest and digest” system

Dysautonomia occurs when there is dysfunction or imbalance in these branches, leading to poor regulation of these essential functions. Conditions like Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS), Neurocardiogenic Syncope, and pure autonomic failure are all subtypes of dysautonomia.

Pathophysiology: Why the System Breaks Down

The causes of dysautonomia are vast and multifactorial. At Movability, we categorize root causes into several domains:

1. Nutritional Deficiencies

Chronic iron deficiency is one of the most overlooked drivers of dysautonomia. Iron is critical for oxygen delivery to the brainstem and heart—two areas that regulate autonomic balance. When these tissues are under-oxygenated, the body compensates with increased sympathetic drive, leading to palpitations, lightheadedness, and fatigue.

2. Autoimmune and Post-Viral Syndromes

Many patients develop dysautonomia after viral infections like Epstein-Barr or COVID-19. Autoimmune activity may target autonomic nerves or receptors, impairing their function.

3. Connective Tissue Disorders

Hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (hEDS) affects the structural integrity of blood vessels and nerves. This leads to excessive venous pooling, reduced blood return to the heart, and ultimately triggers the dysautonomia cascade.

4. Hormonal and Metabolic Imbalances

Thyroid dysfunction, PCOS, adrenal insufficiency, and insulin resistance can all impact autonomic tone.

5. Trauma and Concussion

Traumatic brain injuries, even mild ones, can disrupt brainstem and vagal tone. We’ve seen patients develop dysautonomia after car accidents, falls, or sports injuries.

Overlooked Clues: What Patients and Clinicians Often Miss

  • Symptoms that worsen with standing or after meals

  • Rapid heart rate but normal blood pressure

  • Heat intolerance, excessive sweating, or lack of sweating

  • Unexplained fatigue that worsens after minor exertion

  • Bloating, early satiety, or IBS-like symptoms

  • Misdiagnosis as anxiety or panic disorder

Patients often cycle through multiple specialists—cardiologists, gastroenterologists, neurologists—without ever receiving a unifying diagnosis. That’s where Movability’s model stands apart.

Why Conventional Treatment Often Falls Short

Standard care tends to focus on managing symptoms—beta-blockers for heart rate, anti-anxiety meds for nervousness, IV fluids for fatigue—but none of these address the root cause. Without investigating the underlying drivers, patients are left chasing symptoms that continue to evolve and multiply.

Movability’s Root-Cause Integrative Approach

At Movability, we take a comprehensive, system-based approach to dysautonomia. Here’s how we do it:

Step 1: Detailed Intake and Autonomic History

We look beyond surface symptoms and dig into the timeline, exposures, infections, stressors, diet, menstrual history, and injury history.

Step 2: Collaborative Diagnostic Testing

Our team may recommend bloodwork (ferritin, B12, thyroid, cortisol, autoantibodies), stool analysis, imaging, and sometimes tilt-table testing if appropriate. We also look for functional signs of vagal dysfunction and small fiber neuropathy.

Step 3: Collaborative Care Plan

Patients work with a combination of providers:

  • Chiropractors and physiotherapists to support structural and neurological function

  • Naturopaths to assess nutrient status, inflammation, and gut health

  • Acupuncturists and massage therapists to restore autonomic balance and improve circulation

  • Personal trainers and rehab specialists to rebuild capacity in a safe, graded way

Step 4: Correct the Root

Whether it’s rebuilding iron stores, treating an underlying infection, stabilizing joint hypermobility, or calming autoimmunity, our goal is to support the nervous system at the source—not mask the symptoms.

The Movability Difference

We don’t just ask what’s wrong—we ask why it’s wrong. Our team is trained to recognize patterns that others miss and to integrate care across disciplines in a way that supports the whole person. Dysautonomia is complex, but with the right approach, it’s manageable and, in many cases, reversible.

Contact Movability today to book a comprehensive assessment and experience our results-driven approach.

Sina Yeganeh