Why Do I Feel Dizzy When I Stand Up?! (And What the Vagus Nerve Has to Do With It)

Ever stand up and feel like the room suddenly starts spinning? Like your brain missed the memo that your body was moving? That dizzy, lightheaded feeling might seem harmless—or even kind of funny the first time—but when it keeps happening, it’s anything but. For a lot of people, this isn’t a one-off thing. It’s a daily reality. And no, it’s not just because you skipped lunch or didn’t drink enough water. What you’re dealing with might actually be something called POTS—Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome. (We know, it’s a mouthful. Let’s break it down.)

POTS is a condition where your heart starts racing and your head feels like it’s floating when you go from sitting or lying down to standing up. You might feel dizzy, faint, wobbly, or like your brain just stepped out for a coffee break. Some people even feel nauseous, mentally foggy, or like they’ve run a marathon even though they just got out of bed.

One of the major clues behind all this? A little-known—but very important—nerve called the vagus nerve. Think of it as your body’s behind-the-scenes boss. It helps manage heart rate, blood pressure, digestion—basically all the things your body’s doing while you’re not paying attention.

Here’s where it gets interesting: the vagus nerve runs right by the top bone in your neck, a small but powerful bone called the atlas. If that bone gets out of place—even just a little—it can press on or irritate the vagus nerve. That interference can lead to all kinds of weird body signals: dizziness, heart palpitations, fatigue, and that spaced-out feeling you just can’t shake.

At our clinic, we focus on exactly that problem. We use the Blair Upper Cervical Technique, a gentle and super-specific method to check the alignment of that top neck bone. We use detailed 3D imaging (not your standard X-rays) to see exactly what’s going on. And when we adjust it? There’s no cracking, twisting, or loud pops—just precise corrections tailored to your anatomy.

The goal? To take the pressure off your vagus nerve so your brain and body can start working together again. Many of our patients tell us their dizziness starts to improve, they feel steadier, and they finally feel like they’re back in control of their body.

If standing up feels like stepping onto a merry-go-round, it’s time to consider what’s happening at the top of your neck. You don’t have to live in a fog or worry every time you change positions. We’d love to help you feel balanced, clear, and steady again.

Call or text 801-477-7222 to schedule a free consultation. Let’s find out if your dizziness is coming from a place you’d never expect—your neck.

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