The E3 Rehab Podcast

89. All Things Hypermobility and Upper Cervical Instability w/ Taylor Goldberg

Mar 28, 2023

Taylor Goldberg, a virtual hypermobility coach, shares her journey with hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome and upper cervical instability. They discuss the latest research on diagnosis and treatment, highlighting the importance of strength training and personalized care. Goldberg challenges misconceptions about hypermobility, like outdated terminology and medical gaslighting. They also emphasize innovative proprioception training and the need for tailored exercise interventions. Insights into genetic associations shed light on patient experiences, advocating for better communication in healthcare.

01:06:09

Creator website

Episode guests

Taylor Goldberg

AI Summary

AI Chapters

Episode notes

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

Hypermobility spectrum disorders, particularly hEDS, require specific criteria for diagnosis, highlighting the importance of early screening for effective interventions.

Upper cervical instability poses diagnostic challenges due to overlapping symptoms, necessitating thorough assessments and advanced imaging for accurate management.

Medical gaslighting and outdated practices hinder hEDS recognition, stressing the need for a balanced approach between acknowledgment and avoidance of over-diagnosis.

Deep dives

Overview of Hypermobility Spectrum Disorders

Hypermobility spectrum disorders, particularly hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (HEDS), are characterized by joint hypermobility and a variety of systemic complications. Diagnosing HEDS currently requires meeting specific criteria, including passing the Beighton scale and having a history of chronic pain. The lack of a genetic marker complicates the diagnosis since HEDS is currently differentiated from other EDS types through exclusion. An increasing focus on early diagnosis through screening in specific sports such as gymnastics and cheerleading is emphasized, as early intervention can significantly improve quality of life.

Intro

2min

Navigating Hypermobility and Upper Cervical Instability

20min

Navigating Hypermobility Management

12min

Evolving Proprioception in Training

5min

Guidelines for Exercise and Interventions in Upper Cervical Instability

4min

Navigating Hypermobile Health Challenges

18min

Exploring Genetics and Implications for Hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome

3min

Understanding Hypermobility: Insights for Clinicians

3min

Chris and Sam sat down with Taylor Goldberg to discuss hypermobility spectrum disorders, hyper-mobile Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (also known as hEDS), and upper cervical instability. We initially dive into an article published earlier this year by Leslie Russek and colleagues titled, “Presentation and physical therapy management of upper cervical instability in patients with symptomatic generalized joint hyper mobility: International Expert Consensus Recommendations.” Within the paper, we talk about diagnostic criteria, screening for red flags, the clinical examination, and recommended treatment interventions. Taylor discusses the outdated terms and beliefs that still occur in research and clinical practice surrounding things such as chiropractic subluxations vs true subluxations, posture, and alignment. We then discuss medical gaslighting for hEDS along with examples of both under and over-medicalization of this condition. We then discuss strength training for this population, and Taylor finishes the discussion by dispelling a few more myths surrounding those diagnosed with hEDS.

Russek et al, 2023 Paper

More about Taylor:

Taylor’s Website

Taylor’s IG

Taylor’s TikTok

---

Watch the full episode: https://youtu.be/N1tWV3VklHA

---

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/e3rehab

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/e3rehab/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/E3Rehab

---