The Zebrastrong Blog

Managing your pain starts with learning what works for you, your body and your lifestyle. That’s why my blog is about more than techniques for managing pain. Here you’ll also find strategies for coping with the emotional and social aspects too.

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The connection between hypermobility and “bad posture”
EDS, Hypermobility

November 13th, 2024 | Estimated reading time: 10 minutes

The connection between hypermobility and “bad posture”

Estimated reading time: 10 minutesI’ve told the story many times of my first visit with a physiotherapist after the birth of my second son. I was experiencing terrible shoulder pain and loss of power down my left arm. He took one look at me and told me I was hanging off my joints and had a terrible posture. 

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The link between Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS) and Osteoporosis
Associated Conditions, Chronic Pain, EDS

November 5th, 2024 | Estimated reading time: 7 minutes

The link between Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS) and Osteoporosis

Estimated reading time: 7 minutesI met my first osteoporosis client back when I first started teaching. As part of my initial Pilates training, I’d taken additional courses in how to work with osteoporosis so I was able to safely modify exercises for her during a Pilates mat class. Now it is something I regularly receive questions about.

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Understanding the impact of EDS on pregnancy
EDS, Hypermobility

October 22nd, 2024 | Estimated reading time: 8 minutes

Understanding the impact of EDS on pregnancy

Estimated reading time: 8 minutesIt is important to remember that whilst pregnancy can be challenging for some people with hEDS, many people have healthy pregnancies. If you have an hEDS diagnosis, it can help ensure you receive extra attention and individualized care.

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Understanding hypermobility in children and young adults 
Chronic Pain, EDS, Hypermobility

October 14th, 2024 | Estimated reading time: 9 minutes

Understanding hypermobility in children and young adults 

Estimated reading time: 9 minutesIt is important to remember that most children are hypermobile – this does not mean they have a syndrome or connective tissue disorder. Hypermobility can be asymptomatic, and does not mean joints are unstable. Children under the age of six will not be assessed for any hypermobility syndrome as it is a normal part of life and hypermobility can decrease as they age. If however, after this age problems persist, it is worth investigating further. 

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Understanding ankle hypermobility
Chronic Pain, EDS, Hypermobility

October 2nd, 2024 | Estimated reading time: 8 minutes

Understanding ankle hypermobility

Estimated reading time: 8 minutesLateral ankle sprains are one of the most common injuries that occur with activities and recreation in the general population (not considering hypermobility). Up to 70% of people that sprain their ankle have recurring ankle sprains and chronic symptoms (1). I find this is a common issue in the hypermobile population and something I often address with my clients.

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Understanding dysautonomia
Associated Conditions, EDS, Hypermobility

September 25th, 2024 | Estimated reading time: 8 minutes

Understanding dysautonomia

Estimated reading time: 8 minutesMy first real client introduction to dysautonomia and in this case Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS) was back in 2013 when I had a lady join one of my group classes. She told me she would not be able to do any exercises that involved raising her arms above her head as she would faint. She could mitigate this if she was holding a weight in her hands – that would stop the fainting. This makes sense – the autonomic nervous system (ANS) affects blood pressure regulation and blood flow. 

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Understanding Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome and Its Connection to Scoliosis
Associated Conditions, Chronic Pain, EDS, Hypermobility

September 18th, 2024 | Estimated reading time: 6 minutes

Understanding Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome and Its Connection to Scoliosis

Estimated reading time: 6 minutesWhen I started teaching Pilates mat classes back in 2008, one of the very first clients who joined my classes had scoliosis. I learnt from day one how to work with scoliosis and what was best for this condition (she is still my client today 16 years later, so hopefully I did OK!).

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Nociplastic pain, hypermobility, and a sensitized nervous system
Associated Conditions, Chronic Pain, EDS, Hypermobility

September 11th, 2024 | Estimated reading time: 6 minutes

Nociplastic pain, hypermobility, and a sensitized nervous system

Estimated reading time: 6 minutesI’ve asked Dr. Leslie Russek, scientific advisor to The Zebra Club, to collaborate to learn about nociplastic pain and how to regulate a sensitized nervous system.

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7 Essential Morning Stretches for a Great Start to Your Day
EDS, Hypermobility, Movement & Exercise

September 3rd, 2024 | Estimated reading time: 6 minutes

7 Essential Morning Stretches for a Great Start to Your Day

Estimated reading time: 6 minutesDo you wake up stiff, tight, and maybe even in pain in the morning? I hear this so often from the hypermobile community. Often during the night, the lack of movement can lead to some tight fascia. If we can get the fascia hydrated with some gentle movement or dynamic stretching we can free up that stiffness and get things gliding.

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The Zebra Club APP

Hypermobility safe, affordable and effective movement, education and community in the comfort of your own home.

The Zebra Club app is a programme based on the Integral Movement Method. In this programme I will carefully guide you through safe exercises to manage your pain.

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