Ep 217 - POTS for PTs: Subtypes, Vagus Nerve & Exercise with Dr. Jessica Workman

💡 In this episode of PT Pro Talk, host Mariana Parks speaks with Dr. Jessica Workman, PT, DPT, FAAOMPT, FFMT, Partner and Clinical Director at IPA Physio Long Beach. This interview breaks down the physical therapy evaluation and treatment of Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS) and dysautonomia - ranging from identifying clinical subtypes and post-viral vagus nerve entrapment to integrating targeted manual therapy and progressive exercise protocols for complex, unresolved cases. Download our Free Tendinopathy Clinical Cheat Sheet! 1-page quick-reference guide summarizing diagnostic tests, differential diagnosis, and exercise suggestions for your daily practice. Get your copy here: http://tendinopathy-clinical.subscribepage.io 💭 "If we only do exercises, we're missing a piece of the puzzle." - Dr. Jessica Workman 👉🏻 Dr. Jessica Workman, PT, DPT, FAAOMPT, FFMT, is a Partner and Clinical Director at IPA Physio Long Beach with over a decade of clinical expertise in treating complex, unresolved conditions. Holding degrees in Physiology and Neuroscience from UC San Diego and a Doctorate in Physical Therapy from the University of St. Augustine, she completed elite advanced fellowships in orthopedic manual therapy and functional manual therapy. Jessica specializes in complex orthopedic, neurological, and vestibular cases, alongside airway disorders, connective tissue conditions, postpartum recovery, concussion management, and performance optimization. Integrating techniques such as Functional Manual Therapy, Craniosacral Therapy, and Visceral Manipulation, she delivers a compassionate, whole-body approach designed to help patients who feel they have "tried everything" regain their confidence, function, and quality of life. 📚In this episode, you'll learn: • How to spot POTS in your caseload, and the key questions to ask • The main POTS subtypes and how treatment changes for each • Hands-on vagus nerve and fascial work, and what the research shows • Building a POTS exercise plan, from lying down to upright 🔎Dr. Jessica's Resource of Information: • CHUNG, C.; RAJ, S. R. Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS): A Review. JAMA. https://bit.ly/480Spd6 • DIEDRICH, A. et al. Transdermal Auricular Vagus Stimulation for the Treatment of POTS. https://bit.ly/4sKDi0Q • INSTITUTE OF PHYSICAL ART. Find a Therapist: CFMTS and IPA Clinics. https://bit.ly/4zzntNg • INSTITUTE OF PHYSICAL ART. Schedule of Courses. https://bit.ly/4iJoDyy • IPA PHYSIO LONG BEACH. Clinic Overview and Specialized Services. https://ipa.physio/lbc/ • KWON, H. et al. Vestibular syncope: clinical characteristics and mechanism. https://bit.ly/3WLo4N5 • PATEL, R.; LELE, P. Anterior Canal BPPV- A Rare Form of Vertical Canalithiasis: Series of 11 Cases. https://bit.ly/4838Buf • PURTILL, C. Long COVID leaves thousands of L.A. https://lat.ms/4iDIvmD • SEKHON, R. et al. Dizziness in postural tachycardia syndrome and its link to vestibular migraine. https://bit.ly/4jTDmci • STAVRAKIS, S. et al. Noninvasive Vagus Nerve Stimulation in POTS: A Randomized Clinical Trial. https://bit.ly/4C32Drh • THE CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL OF PHILADELPHIA. CHOP Modified Dallas POTS Exercise Program: Patient Handout. https://bit.ly/4iDIEGH • WANG, L. et al. Tragus Nerve Stimulation Attenuates POTS in Post-COVID-19 Infection. https://bit.ly/4BHmiwF 📲 Dr. Jessica's contact information: https://www.instagram.com/ipaphysio/ https://www.instagram.com/ipafmt/ https://www.facebook.com/IPAPhysio/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/ipaphysio/ 🚨Try Hanna Health free for 30 days - a customizable HEP platform where you can use your own videos, edit quickly, and track patient access. Start your trial here: https://bit.ly/4pSkYjP 📩 Don't miss out on podcast updates!📬: https://www.ptprotalk.com/ 👉 Share Your Feedback: https://forms.gle/YspLGAzHph2fVord8 🎙Listen on all platforms: https://bit.ly/45rzffO 🍁 𝗔𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝐏𝐓 𝐏𝐫𝐨 𝐓𝐚𝐥𝐤 𝐏𝐨𝐝𝐜𝐚𝐬𝐭 🍁 In this channel, you will find Physical Therapy-related content, like interviews with experts that share their views and experiences, providing relevant information to help Physical Therapists to improve their practice and patient care! 📩 Don't miss out on podcast updates!📬: https://www.ptprotalk.com/ 🌐𝐅𝐨𝐥𝐥𝐨𝐰 𝐌𝐞 𝐎𝐧 𝐒𝐨𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐥𝐬 https://www.instagram.com/ptprotalk/ https://www.facebook.com/ptprotalkpodcast https://www.linkedin.com/company/pt-pro-talk/ https://twitter.com/MariHannaParks Spotify: http://bit.ly/3HFJcNQ ✅𝐆𝐄𝐓 𝐈𝐍 𝐓𝐎𝐔𝐂𝐇 📧 📩Email: mariana@ptprotalk.com Support 💁‍♂️ PT Pro Talk Podcast is only possible with the support of forward-looking and innovative companies like: Hanna Health: https://hannahealthhub.com/hep.