Dysautonomia, POTS & Autonomic Dysfunction

Dizziness, racing heart and fatigue that don't add up?

Living with dysautonomia, POTS or autonomic symptoms can affect every part of daily life — from standing up and staying steady to energy, focus, sleep and everyday function. Cocoon offers guided, at-home hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) that some people choose to explore as part of their wider recovery and wellbeing plan.

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A person resting comfortably in a Cocoon at-home hyperbaric chamber

Does this sound familiar?

Why you still don't feel like yourself

Many people live with symptoms that come and go, don't show up clearly on routine tests, and leave them feeling unwell with no clear answer. If several of these feel familiar, you're not alone.

Dizziness or lightheadedness Racing or pounding heart Lightheaded on standing Fatigue Brain fog Temperature sensitivity Exercise intolerance Poor sleep Digestive issues Headaches Balance problems

These are common experiences with dysautonomia (including POTS) and other forms of autonomic dysfunction. If they sound familiar, it may be worth exploring additional support options as part of your wider care.

Understanding autonomic dysfunction

Why autonomic dysfunction can affect your whole body

Many of the body's essential functions happen automatically — heart rate, blood pressure, digestion, breathing and temperature are all managed by the autonomic nervous system. When that system isn't regulating the way it should — which is what dysautonomia, including POTS, describes — symptoms can appear all over the body and change from day to day.

That overlap is part of why autonomic dysfunction can take so long to recognise, and why people often see several clinicians before getting answers.

Related conditions

Common conditions associated with autonomic dysfunction

Dysautonomia POTS Long COVID Chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) Post-viral syndromes Functional neurological symptoms

These conditions can share overlapping symptoms and experiences. Every person's situation is unique, which is why individual assessment is important.

About the therapy

Why some people explore HBOT for dysautonomia and autonomic symptoms

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy isn't a cure for dysautonomia or autonomic dysfunction. But when symptoms persist and answers are hard to find, some people choose to explore HBOT as part of their wider recovery plan. Here's what it actually involves.

01

Oxygen under gentle pressure

During a session you breathe oxygen-enriched air while the chamber is gently pressurised, allowing more oxygen than usual to dissolve into your bloodstream.

02

Dissolved oxygen circulates through the body

That dissolved oxygen circulates in the blood throughout the time you spend in the chamber, reaching tissues around the body.

03

Part of a wider recovery

People generally use HBOT as one part of a broader routine — alongside rest, rehabilitation and the advice of their own health professionals.

Whether HBOT is a sensible fit depends entirely on your situation, and it isn't right for everyone. Our team will talk it through with you honestly before you decide anything.

The Cocoon difference

Why at-home HBOT is different

Most hyperbaric therapy means travelling to a clinic for short, scheduled appointments. Cocoon brings the chamber to you — which changes how easily it fits into your life.

Traditional clinic-based HBOT

  • Travelling to and from each appointment
  • Fixed, limited session times
  • Fitting around the clinic's availability
  • Waiting rooms and parking

At home with Cocoon

  • Your chamber is installed in your own home
  • Unlimited sessions across your programme
  • Use it at the times that suit your day
  • No travel, no waiting rooms

Consistency is often one of the biggest challenges in any recovery programme. Having your chamber available at home can make it easier to build therapy into everyday life.

Dr Gary Dennis, founder of Cocoon Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy

Meet your guide

Guidance from Dr Gary Dennis

DC (USA) · MMC (AUS) · Dip HBOT (USA) · NZCA

Dr Gary Dennis has spent much of his career supporting people with complex and chronic health challenges, with a special interest in neurological recovery and dysautonomia. His own experience recovering from a serious brain injury led him to explore hyperbaric oxygen therapy and the role that consistent access can play within a broader recovery programme.

Every Cocoon programme begins with a personal conversation with Gary to understand your situation, answer your questions and determine whether at-home HBOT may be appropriate for your goals. From installation through to ongoing support, you'll have direct access to guidance throughout your programme.

How it works

Your Cocoon programme

Recovery takes time, and everyone's path is different. Here's how a Cocoon programme works — from the first conversation through to ongoing support.

1

Consultation

We start with a conversation about your symptoms, history and goals, to understand whether HBOT is a sensible fit for you.

2

Personalised HBOT programme

If it's appropriate, we map out a programme — session length, frequency, and how it fits around your routine.

3

At-home therapy

Your chamber is installed in your home, giving you convenient access to HBOT without travelling to appointments or fitting sessions around clinic schedules.

4

Ongoing support

We stay in touch throughout your programme, checking in and adjusting your plan as you go.

A person resting calmly inside a Cocoon at-home hyperbaric chamber

What you can count on

Why people choose Cocoon

Guided by Dr Gary Dennis

Every programme is personally guided from your first conversation through to ongoing support.

Consistent access at home

Daily access makes it easier to stay consistent with your programme and fit sessions around your life.

Delivery & setup included

Your chamber is delivered, installed and explained by our team so you can get started with confidence.

Ongoing support

Regular check-ins throughout your programme mean you're never left to navigate the process alone.

Common questions

Dysautonomia, POTS & HBOT, answered

What is the autonomic nervous system?
The autonomic nervous system controls many of the functions your body performs automatically, including heart rate, blood pressure, digestion, breathing and temperature regulation. When it isn't functioning normally, a wide range of symptoms can occur throughout the body.
What is dysautonomia?
Dysautonomia is an umbrella term for conditions where the autonomic nervous system doesn't regulate the way it should. It can take many forms and vary a lot between people. A diagnosis is something to work through with your GP or a specialist.
What is POTS?
POTS (postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome) is one form of dysautonomia, where the heart rate rises sharply on standing, often with dizziness, fatigue and palpitations. It's diagnosed and managed by clinicians — your doctor is the right person to confirm whether it applies to you.
What causes dysautonomia?
The causes aren't fully understood and differ between people. It can appear on its own or alongside other conditions, and can sometimes follow an illness, injury or period of significant stress. Your healthcare team is best placed to investigate the cause in your situation.
Why do I feel dizzy or lightheaded when I stand up?
Feeling dizzy or lightheaded on standing can happen when the body doesn't adjust blood pressure and heart rate quickly enough — something often seen in dysautonomia. It's worth discussing with a doctor, who can check what's behind it for you.
Can dysautonomia cause fatigue and brain fog?
Yes — fatigue and difficulty with focus or memory ("brain fog") are very common with dysautonomia. The effort of managing fluctuating symptoms, alongside poor sleep, can leave people feeling drained even after rest.
Can dysautonomia symptoms come and go?
For many people, yes. Symptoms often fluctuate and can flare with things like heat, standing for long periods, illness, stress or overactivity. A steady routine and pacing are things many people find help.
What therapies do people explore for dysautonomia?
Management is usually tailored to the person and led by their healthcare team — it can involve fluids and salt, movement, medications, pacing and lifestyle adjustments. Some people also explore additional options such as hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT). HBOT isn't a cure and isn't right for everyone; it's something some people choose to add to a wider plan after talking it through.
What does a typical HBOT programme at Cocoon involve?
A typical Cocoon programme runs over about six weeks using a chamber installed in your home. Session length and frequency are mapped out with you based on your situation, so the routine fits around everyday life.
Is HBOT safe, and is it covered by ACC or insurance?
HBOT is generally well tolerated, but it isn't suitable for everyone and there are some conditions where it isn't recommended — which is why every programme starts with a conversation to check it's appropriate. On cost, coverage varies and isn't guaranteed; some people check with ACC or their insurer, and we're happy to provide information you can pass on.

Talk to us

Find out whether HBOT could support your recovery

Have a conversation with our team about your symptoms, and we'll help you work out whether an at-home HBOT programme is a sensible fit. No pressure, no obligation.

Talk to our team

Call 022 067 2277  ·  info@cocoon.net.nz

“The cocoon hyperbaric oxygen chamber is sensational. I don't know, but feel sure, that it has been a life saver.”

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- Anne