November 5th, 2024

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.

October 14th, 2024

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. 

October 2nd, 2024

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.

September 18th, 2024

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!).

September 11th, 2024

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.

August 12th, 2024

Understanding Hip Hypermobility and Its Effects on Joint Pain

Estimated reading time: 6 minutesThe hip joint is one of my favourite joints – although it can be a cause of many problems in hypermobility. It is such a key joint in the body – it is one of the largest and most important joints for several reasons.

August 5th, 2024

How does hypermobility impact your Knees?

Estimated reading time: 5 minutesHyperextension of the knees in hypermobility is common. I used the adopt the strangest of standing postures, from simple knee locking to crossing one leg over the other, or actually wrapping one leg around the other one.

June 24th, 2024

What is chronic pain?

Estimated reading time: 6 minutesThe International Association for the Study of Pain defines pain as “an unpleasant sensory and emotional experience associated with, or resembling that associated with, actual or potential tissue damage”. Pain is considered chronic if it lasts for longer than 3 months (1).

May 10th, 2024

Sleeping with hypermobility: A comprehensive guide

Estimated reading time: 7 minutesWhilst much of the discussion around hypermobility and EDS focuses on movement, a common source of anxiety, frustration and stress for those living with such conditions comes from the other half of our lives – sleep.

May 1st, 2024

Understanding shoulder hypermobility

Estimated reading time: 7 minutesAlmost every client I’ve worked with has problems with their shoulders. 4 in 5 people with symptomatic hypermobility have shoulder problems (1). Even in the general (not necessarily hypermobile) population, it is the most commonly dislocated joint in the body (2).

April 24th, 2024

Understanding flare-ups in EDS

Estimated reading time: 9 minutesCan we ever really be prepared for a flare-up? And when they arrive, how do we manage them? They can be as unpredictable as the rain. You dress for the sun and a sudden downpour arrives. Sometimes we definitely know rain is coming and we can pack an umbrella but sometimes rain, like a flare-up, can appear when the sky seemed so blue. We just weren’t expecting it.

April 17th, 2024

Understanding Hypermobility Foot Mechanics and Pain Management

Estimated reading time: 8 minutesI always start at the feet.

The foot needs to be stable and mobile at the same time for good foot mechanics. It is super important to understand the relationship between the foot and the rest of the body. The foot will impact the knee, hip, lower back, and upwards from there. Even asymptomatic hypermobile feet and ankles can contribute to pain all the way up the body (1).