Feeling Dizzy or Tired When Standing? Acupuncture May Help with Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS)

Understanding POTS and How Acupuncture Can Help

If you’ve ever felt dizzy, lightheaded, or had your heart race when you stand up, you might be experiencing POTS. For many New Zealanders, these symptoms can make daily life tiring, stressful, and sometimes overwhelming.

How POTS is Seen in Western Medicine

Doctors in New Zealand follow international guidelines for diagnosing POTS. The primary sign is a rise in heart rate of more than 30 beats per minute (40 in teenagers) within 10 minutes of standing, accompanied by a moderate decrease in blood pressure.

Western medicine offers ways to diagnose POTS and manage its symptoms—things like staying hydrated, gentle exercise, wearing compression socks, and sometimes medication. But these approaches don’t always address the fatigue, “brain fog”, or stress that often come with POTS (1–3).

That’s where acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) can make a difference.

How TCM Sees POTS

In TCM, POTS is viewed as an imbalance in the body’s energy systems. Common signs include:

• Feeling weak, dizzy, or easily tired, sometimes with a racing heart.

• Trouble sleeping, anxiety, or palpitations.

• Stress, poor concentration, or digestive issues.

  
  

Acupuncture works to restore balance, support circulation, and calm the nervous system, helping you feel steadier, more energised, and better able to cope with everyday life.

How Acupuncture Supports You

Research shows that acupuncture can positively influence the autonomic nervous system, which controls heart rate and circulation:

• Ear (auricular) acupuncture can help regulate heart rate and promote calm (4,5).

• Body acupuncture improves circulation and encourages relaxation (6).

  
  

Many patients notice better sleep, reduced stress, and more energy after a course of acupuncture—benefits that complement advice and treatment from your GP or specialist.

Why Consider Acupuncture in New Zealand

Living with POTS or unexplained dizziness can feel isolating. Acupuncture offers a gentle, personalised, drug-free approach.

At my clinic, I tailor treatments to each person, supporting the body to regain balance, reduce stress, and feel stronger day to day.

You don’t have to let POTS control your life. With the right support, including acupuncture, it’s possible to feel steadier, calmer, and more energised.

Take care of yourself!

Violaine

References:

1. Raj SR, Guzman JC, Harvey P, et al. Diagnosis and management of postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome. CMAJ. 2022;194(9):E332–8.

2. Arnold AC, Raj SR, Sheldon RS, et al. Canadian Cardiovascular Society position statement on postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS) and related disorders of chronic orthostatic intolerance. Can J Cardiol. 2020;36(3):357–72.

3. Zhao M, Liu P, Chen H, et al. Randomised controlled trials for postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome: a systematic review (2000–2023). Front Neurol. 2025;16:1448628.

4. Wang J, Cui H, Wang X, et al. Effects of auricular acupressure on heart rate variability and autonomic balance in healthy adults: a randomised controlled trial. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2022;2022:8745632.

5. Chae Y, Lee IS, Jung WM, et al. Auricular acupuncture modulates autonomic activity: a randomised controlled trial. Front Neurosci. 2024;18:1453210.

6. Kim J, Lee H, Park HJ, et al. Acupuncture enhances parasympathetic activity: a systematic review and meta-analysis of heart rate variability studies. Auton Neurosci. 2021;235:102859.