Article Categories
Chronic Pain
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).
Read moreApril 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.
Read moreApril 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).
Read moreApril 12th, 2024
What is coat hanger pain?
Estimated reading time: 5 minutesCoat hanger pain is a pain in the neck and upper back, specifically the suboccipital and paracervical regions. It has been described as a “charley horse” kind of sensation in the back of the neck and shoulders. This pattern mimics the shape of a coat hanger with the hook in the neck and the body spreading out across the upper trapezius muscles and shoulders.
Read moreApril 4th, 2024
What is Self-Compassion and why is it so important?
Estimated reading time: 6 minutesSelf-compassion has been studied in various contexts in a wide range of populations and is linked with positive mental health consistently.
Read moreMarch 28th, 2024
Headaches in Ehlers-Danlos Syndromes
Estimated reading time: 6 minutesDiscover the link between Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome and headaches. Learn about causes, such as upper cervical instability, and find effective treatment strategies.
Read moreOctober 16th, 2023
Managing Nociceptive and Neuropathic Pain with Dr. Leslie Russek
Estimated reading time: 2 minutesNociceptive and neuropathic pain are caused by mechanical factors, inflammation, or disease affecting the tissues
Read moreOctober 15th, 2023
The 3 Types of Hypermobility Pain by Dr. Leslie Russek
Estimated reading time: 2 minutesPain is a signal from your brain that it perceives danger. There are 3 types of pain: nociceptive, neuropathic, and neoplastic.
Read moreOctober 11th, 2022
Relationships and Chronic Pain
Estimated reading time: 4 minutesI recently did a post about pain management. Someone raised the question on the post of ‘how can I communicate my pain to my partner effectively?’
Read moreMay 19th, 2022
The Lonely Chronic Illness Life
Estimated reading time: 2 minutesLiving with a chronic illness can sometimes be lonely. It can be difficult for friends and family to really understand how we are feeling and why we don’t ‘get better’. It drives me crazy when people say ‘you just need a good night sleep’ – like it’s a miracle cure.
Read moreApril 18th, 2022
What people don’t see when you live with a chronic illness
Estimated reading time: 2 minutesWhat’s it like when you go out out – if you do go out out? Is there a lot of preparation and organisation involved?
Read moreMarch 21st, 2022
Raising EDS Awareness with Bob and Brad
Estimated reading time: < 1 minuteI am delighted to have teamed up with the most famous physical therapists on the internet (in their opinion of course) – Bob and Brad. If you know them, the theme tune to their famous YouTube channel is probably running through your head right now.
Read moreThe 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.
Learn more