From Chiropractic Classmates to Innovative POTS Treatment: A Reunion of Medical Minds

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In a special reunion episode, Dr. Joseph Schneider welcomes his former chiropractic classmate Dr. Mark Sanna to discuss their shared educational journey and the innovative approaches they've developed in their respective medical careers. As classmates at New York Chiropractic College in the late 1980s, both doctors received rigorous training in anatomy, neurology, and comprehensive medical sciences—a foundation that has served them well in their specialized practices. Dr. Sanna has gone on to become a known healthcare consultant through his Breakthrough Coaching program, helping practitioners develop efficient protocols and systems, while Dr. Schneider has established himself as a leading functional neurologist specializing in complex neurological conditions.

This episode focuses particularly on Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS), a condition that has seen a dramatic increase in cases following the COVID-19 pandemic. Dr. Schneider's Hope Brain and Body Recovery Center has become a destination for POTS patients who have been frustrated by lengthy waiting lists at major medical institutions and limited treatment approaches that fail to address the condition's whole-body impacts. Through their conversation, these two medical professionals explore how integrating functional neurology, regenerative medicine, and comprehensive patient communication creates better outcomes for patients with complex neurological conditions that traditional medicine often struggles to address effectively.

The POTS Crisis: Beyond Cardiovascular Symptoms  

POTS presents a unique challenge for both patients and healthcare providers because it affects multiple body systems simultaneously, creating a cascade of symptoms that can be difficult to trace back to a single cause. While cardiologists typically focus on the heart rate and blood pressure irregularities that give the syndrome its name, Dr. Schneider emphasizes that POTS patients experience much more than cardiovascular symptoms. They commonly suffer from chronic fatigue, digestive issues, nausea, breathing problems, widespread pain, migraines, and even eating disorders—all stemming from autonomic nervous system dysfunction.

This complexity explains why patients often feel misunderstood and frustrated after visiting major medical centers like the Mayo Clinic or Cleveland Clinic, where waiting lists can stretch to six months and treatment approaches may be narrowly focused on cardiovascular symptoms. Dr. Schneider shares how patients frequently call him after receiving limited help from these institutions, desperate for someone who understands the full scope of their condition. While he acknowledges the importance of cardiac clearance before beginning his treatment protocols, he recognizes that the true challenge lies in addressing the neurological origins of these diverse symptoms.

The multisystem nature of POTS creates significant "life impacts" that extend far beyond physical discomfort. Dr. Schneider describes how patients can't simply say "I'm in pain"—they need to articulate how nightly headaches prevent them from communicating with their spouse, how chronic fatigue makes holding a job impossible, or how syncope (fainting) leads to falls and potential concussions. These cascading effects can ultimately leave patients feeling as though they "don't have a life" at all, highlighting the urgent need for comprehensive treatment approaches that restore function across multiple systems simultaneously.

Advanced Diagnostics and the Inflammation Connection  

At the Hope Brain and Body Recovery Center, Dr. Schneider employs advanced diagnostic technologies to evaluate brain function in ways that traditional medical tests often miss. Two primary systems—Brain Core and BrainMaster—provide detailed analyses of brain activity, inflammation patterns, and connectivity issues. The Brain Core system offers insights into brain inflammation and mitochondrial function, while BrainMaster examines 6,900 points within the brain and their communication pathways, providing a comprehensive map of neural activity and potential dysfunction.

These diagnostic approaches have proven particularly valuable for post-COVID POTS patients, who represent a significant portion of Dr. Schneider's practice. He notes that both COVID-19 infection and, in some cases, COVID vaccination appear to trigger inflammatory processes that can lead to neurodegeneration and autonomic dysfunction. Without addressing this underlying inflammation, patients simply won't improve. The ability to measure and track inflammatory markers through brain scans allows Dr. Schneider to monitor treatment effectiveness and make necessary adjustments to reduce neuroinflammation over time.

Dr. Sanna reinforces this observation by discussing the role of chronic inflammation in multiple disease processes, from cardiovascular disease to diabetes. He notes that dietary factors, particularly the prevalence of processed and fast foods in American diets, contribute significantly to systemic inflammation that can exacerbate conditions like POTS. This multi-factorial approach to understanding inflammation—recognizing both pathogen-driven and lifestyle-related factors—illustrates why functional medicine approaches that address nutrition, gut health, and environmental triggers often succeed where more narrowly focused treatments fail.

The Communication Challenge: Informing Without Overwhelming  

One significant challenge for practitioners treating complex conditions like POTS is determining how much information to share with patients. Dr. Schneider and Dr. Sanna discuss the balance between providing comprehensive education and potentially overwhelming patients with technical details. While traditional medical advice often suggests simplifying information, both doctors advocate for giving patients thorough explanations of their condition and treatment options.

Dr. Sanna emphasizes that patients want to be fully informed, even if they don't understand all the medical terminology. He believes that detailed information helps patients feel confident they're making the right decisions about their health and increases their motivation to actively participate in the recovery process. Rather than simplifying information too much, he encourages practitioners to give patients the complete picture, treating them as partners in the healing journey rather than passive recipients of care.

This communication approach reflects a departure from traditional medical models that position doctors as authorities who dispense treatments to passive patients. Instead, both doctors view the patient-practitioner relationship as a collaborative partnership. Since healing complex conditions like POTS requires active patient participation through lifestyle changes, dietary modifications, and consistent exercise protocols, comprehensive communication creates the foundation for this partnership. When patients understand the "why" behind treatment recommendations, they're more likely to maintain the daily discipline required for recovery.

Regenerative Medicine: The Future of Neurological Treatment  

Perhaps the most exciting development discussed in the episode is Dr. Schneider's upcoming launch of the Hope Regenerative Medicine Center, which will integrate multiple medical disciplines to address complex neurological conditions. Opening in June, this center will bring together functional neurology, physical therapy, and regenerative medicine approaches under the guidance of a nurse practitioner and two collaborating physicians. This multidisciplinary approach reflects Dr. Schneider's belief that effective treatment must address all factors simultaneously rather than taking a piecemeal approach.

The center will incorporate cutting-edge peptide therapies—signaling molecules that help the body heal itself. Dr. Sanna describes how these medical-grade peptides support mitochondrial health, which is crucial for energy production at the cellular level. Since mitochondrial dysfunction plays a significant role in neurological conditions, these peptides can help restore the energy production needed for healing and proper function. The regenerative approach focuses on enhancing the body's own healing mechanisms rather than simply managing symptoms with medications.

The effectiveness of this comprehensive approach is illustrated through Dr. Schneider's work with an 11-year-old boy with cerebral palsy. After just five weeks of treatment, this non-ambulatory child who had limited arm function and significant fear responses began showing notable improvements. While his physical limitations remain a work in progress, his personality has blossomed, his fear has diminished significantly, and he has become more socially engaged—enjoying his visits to the center and interacting more comfortably with others. This case demonstrates how functional neurology approaches can improve quality of life even for conditions traditionally considered permanent, providing hope for patients with a wide range of neurological challenges.

Key Components of Dr. Schneider's Approach to POTS and Neurological Conditions:  

1. Comprehensive testing - Using advanced brain imaging and functional assessments to identify inflammation, connectivity issues, and mitochondrial dysfunction

2. Multi-system treatment - Addressing cardiovascular, neurological, digestive, and other affected systems simultaneously

3. Inflammation reduction - Targeting neuroinflammation through both medical interventions and lifestyle modifications

4. Mitochondrial support - Enhancing cellular energy production through peptides and other regenerative therapies

5. Patient education - Providing detailed information about the condition and treatment process

6. Collaborative approach - Working with other medical disciplines to create integrated treatment plans

7. Personalized protocols - Tailoring interventions to each patient's specific symptoms and needs

8. Consistent follow-up - Monitoring progress and adjusting treatments based on objective measurements

Finding Hope for Complex Neurological Conditions  

Dr. Schneider's journey from stroke survivor to innovative neurological practitioner offers hope for patients suffering from conditions like POTS, dysautonomia, and even cerebral palsy. His personal experience with neurological damage gives him unique insight into the challenges his patients face and the determination needed to overcome them. As he explains in the episode, he believes his life was saved for a purpose—to help others navigate their own neurological recovery journeys.

If you or someone you love is struggling with POTS, dysautonomia, or another complex neurological condition, consider seeking out practitioners who take a functional medicine approach. Look for those who understand the interconnectedness of body systems and who use advanced diagnostics to identify underlying inflammation, mitochondrial dysfunction, and connectivity issues. The most effective treatments will likely address multiple factors simultaneously rather than focusing narrowly on individual symptoms.

Remember that healing complex conditions requires your active participation. You'll need to commit fully to the process rather than selectively choosing individual treatments from a menu of options. While this all-inclusive approach demands more effort, it also offers the greatest potential for restoring not just physical function but complete quality of life. As both Dr. Schneider and Dr. Sanna emphasize throughout their conversation, the goal isn't simply managing symptoms but reclaiming the full life that has been disrupted by illness—and with the right approach, that goal is achievable.

Connect with Dr. Joseph Schneider:
Website: Hope Brain and Body Recovery Center

LinkedIn: Joseph Schneider

YouTube: @hopebrainbodyrecoverycenter

Instagram: @hopebraincenter_

Facebook: Hope Brain and Body Recovery Center