Article Categories
EDS
November 19th, 2024
Understanding Spinal Instability
Estimated reading time: 8 minutesI am often astounded by the choice of words and language that is used with patients about their spines. As therapists and clinicians, we need to be mindful of how we explain things to patients and clients so that we do not create fear, misunderstandings, or a sense of vulnerability.
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November 13th, 2024
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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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.
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October 22nd, 2024
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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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.
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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.
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September 25th, 2024
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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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!).
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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.
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September 3rd, 2024
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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August 19th, 2024
Pelvic Floor Health in Hypermobility
Estimated reading time: 7 minutesPelvic floor dysfunction is something I am familiar with in my own experience and something experienced by many of my clients. Let’s dive deep and learn more about the role of this structure.
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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.
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