How Autonomic Dysautonomia Affects CO₂, Breathing, and How EWOT Can Help
Blog post description.
7/8/20252 min read
How Autonomic Dysautonomia Affects CO₂, Breathing, and How EWOT Can Help
Many concussion patients in Kansas City experience strange symptoms long after the initial injury: lightheadedness, shortness of breath, chest tightness, fatigue, or brain fog. These can be signs of autonomic dysautonomia — a disruption in the part of your nervous system that controls involuntary body functions like heart rate, breathing, and blood pressure.
Autonomic Dysregulation and Breathing Patterns
The autonomic nervous system (ANS) is divided into the sympathetic (“fight or flight”) and parasympathetic (“rest and digest”) branches. After a concussion or traumatic brain injury, this balance can be disturbed. Many patients become stuck in sympathetic overdrive, which affects how the body breathes and regulates gases like CO₂.
Here’s what happens:
Increased respiratory rate (hyperventilation): Sympathetic dominance can cause shallow, rapid breathing—even at rest.
Low CO₂ levels (hypocapnia): Overbreathing removes too much carbon dioxide from the bloodstream.
Reduced cerebral blood flow: CO₂ is a vasodilator in the brain. When levels drop too low, blood vessels constrict, decreasing oxygen and nutrient delivery to brain tissue.
Brain fog, dizziness, anxiety, and fatigue: These symptoms are worsened by both low CO₂ and impaired cerebral perfusion.
Even if your oxygen saturation (SpO₂) looks normal on a pulse oximeter, you may still have poor cellular oxygen utilization due to low CO₂ and poor circulation.
How EWOT (Exercise With Oxygen Therapy) Can Help
EWOT combines light to moderate exercise with high-flow oxygen delivery. This technique can support concussion recovery by improving autonomic regulation, gas exchange, and tissue oxygenation.
Benefits of EWOT for Dysautonomia:
✅ Trains proper respiration rate: Guided movement and breathing retrain your nervous system to shift out of hyperventilation patterns.
✅ Improves CO₂ tolerance: With consistent practice, your body learns to maintain healthier CO₂ levels during activity and rest.
✅ Increases cerebral blood flow: By improving vascular tone and oxygen delivery, EWOT can restore perfusion to sensitive brain regions.
✅ Supports parasympathetic activation: Over time, EWOT may help calm the sympathetic nervous system and promote balance.
When to Use EWOT in Concussion Recovery
For concussion patients in Kansas City experiencing dysautonomia, EWOT can be introduced as part of a graded exercise protocol—especially once the patient is past the acute rest phase and tolerating light activity. It should always be used under supervision to avoid symptom flare-ups and ensure proper breathing mechanics.
Final Thoughts
If you’re dealing with post-concussion symptoms like dizziness, anxiety, shortness of breath, or exercise intolerance, your autonomic system may be out of balance—and your breathing pattern could be part of the problem.
At our Kansas City office, Dr. Lance Stevenson provides targeted rehabilitation for patients recovering from car accidents and concussions. We focus on functional recovery, including autonomic regulation and neurovascular support.
Call 816-226-7476 to schedule your consultation and learn if EWOT and concussion rehabilitation are right for you.
Been in an Accident? Schedule Your Free Consultation
Auto Accident Injury Specialists - Call Now!
Expert Personal Injury Care
Whiplash Chiropractor in Kansas City
Lance@ChiroKC.com
816-226-7476
© 2026 Lance Stevenson, DC, LLC. All rights reserved.
Disclaimer: The content provided on this page is for informational and educational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for professional medical, legal, or insurance advice. While every effort is made to provide accurate and up-to-date information, it should not be relied upon as the sole basis for decisions regarding your health, legal matters, or insurance claims. Please consult with your healthcare provider, attorney, insurance company, or other relevant professionals for personalized guidance tailored to your specific situation.
1010 Carondelet Dr., Suite 416
Kansas City, MO 64114