Bendy Bodies with Dr. Linda Bluestein

In this episode, YOUR guest is gastroenterologist Leonard Weinstock, MD, author of over 150 peer-reviewed journal articles.  His extensive research on MCAS (Mast Cell Activation Syndrome) and diseases of the esophagus, stomach, small intestine, and colon has been presented at national and international conferences. He is actively researching the connection of the gut and small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) with several medical problems, including restless legs syndrome (RLS) and chronic pelvic pain syndromes. He presented several lectures in Oregon at the first SIBO symposium and in France at the international rosacea study group.YOUR host, as always, is Dr. Linda Bluestein, the Hypermobility MD. Explored in this episode:·  What can cause abdominal pain in those with EDS (Ehlers-Danlos Syndromes), MCAS (Mast Cell Activation Syndrome) and/or dysautonomia (syndromes like POTS - Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome) ·  How gastrointestinal tract symptoms and extraintestinal problems like RLS (restless leg syndrome), rosacea, and interstitial cystitis are related·  What unique treatments are available for restless leg syndrome, rosacea, and interstitial cystitis·  How Dr. Weinstock’s medical practice evolved after becoming “MCAS aware, POTS aware and EDS aware” ·  What correlations exist between Crohn's disease, irritable bowel disease and RLS·  Why it is so crucially important to listen to AND believe our patients·  How Mast Cell Activation Disease and MCAS differ from one another·  Why the term “syndrome” can be problematic·  What environmental factors can play a role in MCAS·  When to suspect a compression syndrome (like Median Arcuate Ligament Syndrome or MALS, Nutcracker Syndrome, or pelvic congestion syndrome), visceroptosis (drooping of the intestines) or gastroparesis·  What testing can be performed for MCAS and the significance of tryptase levels ·  How YOU can help support our nonprofit documentary film and free online educational library, Still Standing.   The goal of our documentary film and free online educational library is to promote wider awareness and physician education about three complex chronic conditions, MCAS, dysautonomia and hypermobility syndromes. Better recognition will help patients get treatment and hope for a better quality of life.This important conversation about extraintestinal manifestations of gastrointestinal diseases will leave you feeling more knowledgeable, better prepared to advocate for the care you need, and with a better understanding of the interaction of the gastrointestinal system with other bodily systems.  Connect with YOUR Bendy Specialist, Linda Bluestein, MD! Thank YOU so much for tuning in. We hope you found this episode informative, inspiring, useful, validating, and enjoyable. Join us on the next episode for YOUR time to level up your knowledge about hypermobility disorders and the people who have them. Join YOUR Bendy Bodies community at https://www.bendybodiespodcast.com/.      YOUR bendy body is our highest priority!Products, organizations, and services mentioned in this episode:https://www.gidoctor.net/provider/leonard-weinstock-mdhttps://www.bendybodiespodcast.com/34-highlighting-gi-disorders-with-leonard-weinstock-md/https://www.mcasfund.org/https://www.nowleap.com/leap/https://www.ifm.org/https://ldnresearchtrust.org/https://www.ldnscience.org/https://www.genebygene.com/ #BendyBuddy #HypermobilityMD #GITract #EDSInsights #EhlersDanlos #GastroHealth #ChronicIllness #MCAS #MCAD #PotsSyndrome  #RestlessLegSyndrome #LowDoseNaltrexone #MALS #CrohnsDisease #GutHealth #HypermobilityPodcast #PodcastDiscoveries #EDSdoctor #CompressionSyndrome Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, YOUR guest is Brianna Cardenas, DMSC, PA-C, ATC and the founder of Healed and Empowered.  Brianna courageously shares her own personal journey with Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS), cervical instability, spinal CSF leak, and dysautonomia, shedding light on the mistreatments she endured - both as a patient and a healthcare professional. YOUR host, as always, is Dr. Linda Bluestein, the Hypermobility MD. Explored in this episode:·  Inequality in healthcare and how we can best advocate for ourselves·  Why we should prioritize diversity, equity, and inclusion in medical spaces ·  The need for personal responsibility when learning about sensitive topics ·  Discrimination and power dynamics in the healthcare setting ·  Handling microaggressions·  Addressing internalized ableism  ·  The importance of outward visible signs of safety for marginalized groups such as LGBTQ plus and BIPOCThis important conversation about inequality in healthcare will leave you feeling more informed, better prepared to tackle that next step, and with a better understanding of the multitude of factors that can impact the healthcare you receive.  Connect with YOUR Bendy Specialist, Linda Bluestein, MD! Thank YOU so much for tuning in. We hope you found this episode informative, inspiring, useful, validating, and enjoyable. Join us on the next episode for YOUR time to level up your knowledge about hypermobility disorders and the people who have them. Join YOUR Bendy Bodies community at https://www.bendybodiespodcast.com/.      YOUR bendy body is our highest priority!Products, organizations, and services mentioned in this episode:https://www.healedandempowered.com/ #Podcast #EDSPodcast #HealthcareInequality #LGBTQ #BIPOC #Hypermobility #HypermobilityPodcast #HypermobilityMD #BendyBuddy  #ChronicIllness #ChronicPain #InvisibleIllness #HypermobileHacks #EhlersDanlosSyndrome #EhlersDanlos #PainManagementJourney #EDSdoctor Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, YOUR guest is neurosurgeon, Paolo Bolognese, MD, founder of the Chiari Neurosurgical Center in New York.  Dr. Bolognese is also on the Board of Directors of the American Syringomyelia & Chiari Alliance Project, Inc. (ASAP), on the Scientific Education and Advisory Board of the Chiari Syringomyelia Foundation (CSF), and is a member of the International Consortium on EDS, HSD, and Related Disorders. The Chiari EDS Center is focused on the diagnosis and treatment of Chiari I Malformation, Syringomyelia, Craniocervical Instability, Tethered Cord, Eagle Syndrome, Idiopathic Intracranial Hypertension, and Intracranial Hypotension.  Dr Bolognese’s surgical experience includes more than 1,600 Chiari Decompressions and 900 Craniocervical Fusions, 300 of which with condylar screws.  He is on the Board of the main national and international organizations focused on Chiari and Syringomyelia and has also made contributions in the field of Intraoperative Ultrasound and Laser Doppler Flowmetry.YOUR guest co-host is Pradeep Chopra, MD, Harvard-trained anesthesiologist double Board Certified in Pain Management and Anesthesiology, Director of the Center for Complex Conditions and Assistant Professor, Brown Medical School with a special interest in chronic complex pain conditions and their associated co-existing conditions. YOUR host, as always, is Dr. Linda Bluestein, the Hypermobility MD. Explored in this episode:·   How Dr Bolognese discovered the link between Ehlers-Danlos Syndromes (EDS) and Chiari I malformation ·   Why people with EDS are at increased risk of craniocervical instability·   What type of imaging he prefers for the evaluation of Chiari I malformation and/or cervical instability ·   Why he started performing surgery for Eagle’s Syndrome ·   Why he feels invasive cervical traction is an essential part of the neurosurgical evaluation for upper cervical spine problems·   Causes of elevated intracranial pressure This episode is really special as it is rare to get a neurosurgeon's point of view outside of a medical appointment.  It may be easier for you to have the transcript in front of you while you are watching this episode of the Bendy Bodies Podcast on our YouTube channel or listening to this episode on your favorite podcast player.  Dr. Bolognese uses his hands a lot for demonstration so you may find watching this episode on YouTube beneficial.This important conversation about neurosurgical problems will leave you feeling hopeful, prepared to tackle that next step, with a better understanding of the multitude of factors that can impact symptoms.  Connect with YOUR Bendy Specialist, Linda Bluestein, MD! Thank YOU so much for tuning in. We hope you found this episode informative, inspiring, useful, validating, and enjoyable. Join us on the next episode for YOUR time to level up your knowledge about hypermobility disorders and the people who have them. Join YOUR Bendy Bodies community at https://www.bendybodiespodcast.com/.       YOUR bendy body is our highest priority!Products, organizations, and services mentioned in this episode:https://chiariedscenter.com/Access Dr. Bolognese's intake forms here.https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/2vrapu5w2b0ara2pyke8l/h?rlkey=06e9q7pjhwhyypo0xjhn0jkgy&dl=0 #Hypermobility #EDSpodcast #JawPain #TMD #TMJ #HypermobilityPodcast #HypermobilityMD #BendyBuddy  #ChronicIllness #ChronicPain #InvisibleIllness #HypermobileHacks #EhlersDanlosSyndrome #PainManagementJourney #PhysicalTherapy #EDSdoctor Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, YOUR guest is Julie Robinson-Smith, DDS, diplomate of the American Board of Oral Medicine, a diplomate of the American Board of Orofacial Pain and an instructor of Orofacial Pain at the University of Colorado Anschutz School of Dental Medicine.  Following dental school, she served in the US Air Force for five years as a general dentist. After her time in the Air Force, she completed a two-year residency in Orofacial Pain and Oral Medicine at the University of Southern California. Dr Smith is also Dr. Bluestein’s amazing TMD (jaw and facial pain) doctor!  YOUR host, as always, is Dr. Linda Bluestein, the Hypermobility MD. Explored in this episode:·  Why the jaw is problematic so frequently in those with joint hypermobility·  How ligamentous laxity contributes to jaw dysfunction ·  The influence of hormones and puberty on jaw pain and function ·  Open locking - what is it and how can you reduce the risk?·  How you can make dental visits less traumatic This important conversation about orofacial pain will leave you feeling hopeful, prepared to tackle that next step, with a better understanding of the multitude of factors that can impact pain in the teeth, jaw pain, and open and closed locking.   Connect with YOUR Bendy Specialist, Linda Bluestein, MD! Thank YOU so much for tuning in. We hope you found this episode informative, inspiring, useful, validating, and enjoyable. Join us on the next episode for YOUR time to level up your knowledge about hypermobility disorders and the people who have them. Join YOUR Bendy Bodies community at https://www.bendybodiespodcast.com/.      YOUR bendy body is our highest priority!Products, organizations, and services mentioned in this episode:https://www.ofpcos.com/ #Hypermobility #EDSpodcast #JawPain #TMD #TMJ #HypermobilityPodcast #HypermobilityMD #BendyBuddy  #ChronicIllness #ChronicPain #InvisibleIllness #HypermobileHacks #EhlersDanlosSyndrome #PainManagementJourney #PhysicalTherapy #EDSdoctor Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, YOUR guest is Patricia Stott, DPT, physical therapist with expertise in Ehlers-Danlos Syndromes and related conditions.  Dr Stott and Dr Bluestein presented together on integrative approaches to pain management at the EDS Society Global Learning Conference in August 2023 in Dublin, Ireland.  Dr Stott is the founder of Elevation Wellness, and is also trained in visceral manipulation, neural manipulation, fascial Counterstrain, Craniosacral Therapy, and is certified in Reiki.  She frequently addresses instability and neck pain in her patients and is currently enrolled in a PhD program for integrative medicine.  YOUR host, as always, is Dr. Linda Bluestein, the Hypermobility MD. Explored in this episode:·  Whether or not hypermobility spectrum disorder (HSD) and Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS) have different clinical presentations·  Severity of presentation versus the severity of instability·  How inflammation impacts cervical instability·  How dysfunction in other bodily systems can impact cervical instability ·  Treatment options beyond “usual” physical therapy and surgery  This important conversation about causes of cervical instability beyond the neck will leave you feeling hopeful, prepared to tackle that next step, with a better understanding of the multitude of factors that can impact instability of the neck.   Connect with YOUR Bendy Specialist, Linda Bluestein, MD! Thank YOU so much for tuning in. We hope you found this episode informative, inspiring, useful, validating, and enjoyable. Join us on the next episode for YOUR time to level up your knowledge about hypermobility disorders and the people who have them. Join YOUR Bendy Bodies community at https://www.bendybodiespodcast.com/.      YOUR bendy body is our highest priority!Products, organizations, and services mentioned in this episode:https://chalelapti.com/about-us/https://peterattiamd.com/outlive/https://www.posturalrestoration.com/https://www.uprightmrico.com/https://www.asha.org/practice-portal/clinical-topics/orofacial-myofunctional-disorders/https://www.tarlovcystfoundation.org/https://www.elevationwellness.co/https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmed.2022.1072764/full #Hypermobility #EDSpodcast #HypermobilityPodcast #HypermobilityMD #BendyBuddy  #ChronicIllness #ChronicPain #InvisibleIllness #HypermobileHacks #EhlersDanlosSyndrome #PainManagementJourney #PhysicalTherapy #PhysicalTherapists #EDSdoctor Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, where we close out Season 3 of the podcast and kick off Season 4, YOUR guest (and host!) is Bendy Bodies founder, Dr. Linda Bluestein, the Hypermobility MD. YOUR guest co-host – serving up questions to Dr. Bluestein – is Kate Colbert, outspoken EDS advocate, world-renowned marketer, and award-winning healthcare and higher-education writer.  Explored in this episode: How the Bendy Bodies Podcast has evolved since its founding in 2020 from a resource for hypermobile dancers to a resource for EVERYONE with hypermobility (and their medical providers too!).  What it’s like for Dr. Bluestein to be a physician who treats hypermobile patients AND a podcaster and social media icon in the hypermobility community. Learn the truth about the challenge of educating hundreds of thousands of people vs. working one-on-one with someone in the clinic setting.  The perfect Bendy Bodies episodes for “newbies” – where to start listening and why – if you’re new to a hypermobility disorder diagnosis or suspicion. Run-away BEST episodes in terms of listenership and the “buzz.” Dr. Bluestein’s favorite part of working with other professionals who care so much about hypermobile patients. What excitement YOU can look forward to in Season 4 of the Bendy Bodies Podcast! Chapters00:00 Introduction and Background03:01 Career Trajectory and Transition08:37 Specializing in Symptomatic Joint Hypermobility10:24 Challenges in Healthcare System20:33 Starting the Bendy Bodies Podcast30:59 Recommended Episodes for New Listeners35:33 Balancing Expectations and Realities39:35 The Importance of Patient-Provider Collaboration40:18 Teaching Healthcare Providers about Hypermobile Conditions41:37 The Role of Patients in Educating Doctors42:53 Continual Learning and Growth in Medical Practice45:08 Practical Tips for Living with Hypermobility48:28 Hypermobility Hacks and Their Importance55:41 Working with Professionals in Hypermobility Medicine01:00:39 The Evolution of the Bendy Bodies Podcast01:06:23 The Impact of the Bendy Bodies Podcast03:00 Benefits of Yoga for Flexibility and Strength09:30 Yoga for Stress Relief and Mental Health15:45 Yoga for Injury Prevention and Rehabilitation22:10 Yoga for Overall Well-being28:20 Different Types of Yoga and Finding the Right Practice34:50 Yoga for Different Age Groups40:15 Yoga for Pregnancy and Postpartum46:40 Yoga for Seniors52:55 Yoga for Children and Teens59:20 Yoga for Athletes01:05:10 Yoga for Chronic Pain Management01:11:25 Yoga for Specific Health Conditions01:16:17 Conclusion This important conversation about the beginnings (and the future) of the Bendy Bodies Podcast featuring the Hypermobility MD will leave you feeling inspired, prepared to get more from this community, and with a better understanding of how to use this platform to improve your health.  Connect with YOUR Bendy Specialist, Linda Bluestein, MD! Thank YOU so much for tuning in. We hope you found this episode informative, inspiring, useful, validating, and enjoyable. Join us on the next episode for YOUR time to level up your knowledge about hypermobility disorders and the people who have them. Join YOUR Bendy Bodies community at https://www.bendybodiespodcast.com/.      YOUR bendy body is our highest priority!  #EDSdoctor #DrBluestein #KateColbert #Hypermobility #EDSpodcast #HypermobilityPodcast #Podcast #HypermobilityMD #Bendy #BendyBuddy #EhlersDanlosSyndrome #EDS #EhlersDanlos  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The lower extremities must bear the weight of our whole bodies. Problems in the hip may cause a chain reaction of aches, imbalances, or chronic issues that could manifest in the knee, ankle, or somewhere else along the kinetic chain.Continuing our series on pain with Dr. Pradeep Chopra, we explore the hips, knees, ankles and feet, diving into multiple possible causes of issues in these joints.Dr. Chopra discusses why rolling of the ankles is unhealthy, even if it’s asymptomatic, explains how pain in one part of the leg may be due to an issue in a different joint, and explores why and how you might correct knee hyperextension.Dr. Chopra dives into the hip joint structure, outlining possible reasons for hip subluxation. He shares different ways to treat SI joint pain, and offers practical suggestions for dealing with multiple lower extremity pain issues.Filled with detailed information, accessible medical explanations, and Dr. Chopra’s popular “hack” tips, this episode belongs on your must-listen list!Learn more about Dr. Chopra here.Check out the products discussed during this episode:https://pedagusa.com/https://medspec.com/product-category/knee/patellofemoral/https://www.bauerfeind.com/https://www.drmartens.com/us/en/https://www.converse.com/#Podcast #HypermobilityHacks #HypermobilitySyndrome #HypermobilitySpectrumDisorder #EhlersDanlos #Hypermobility #Hyperextension #HipPain #Subluxation #PainManagementStrategies #JointPainRelief #LowerBodyPain #MobilityIssues #HipProblems #JointHealth #ChronicPainSupport #LowerBackPain #KneePain #BendyBuddy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Joints of the upper extremity (eg: shoulders, elbows, fingers, etc) can be prone to subluxation and dislocation in those with joint hypermobility and/or joint instability. As we continue our discussions on common causes of pain throughout the body with Pradeep Chopra, MD, we focus on an often-overloaded area of the body: the upper extremities.Dr. Chopra breaks down the shoulder joint and its inherent instability. He gives advice on how to have hard conversations about sports that push an excessive range of motion in the upper extremities, and addresses noisy joints (eg: cavitation) in the hypermobile person.Dr. Chopra shares his experience with muscle relaxants, and why releasing tight muscles is not always helpful with joint pain. He also explains thoracic outlet syndrome and how it can mimic cervical disc issues, making it difficult to find effective treatments.  We cover complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) and how this extremely painful condition may influence treatment choices. Pain and hypermobility in the wrists and hands are covered, and Dr. Chopra shares how your writing style might be influenced by joint hypermobility. He offers hacks to increase proprioception in fine motor skills, and explains the downside to wearing a full hand brace.With an incredible body of knowledge to share, Dr. Chopra continues to help us examine complicated issues in a methodical way.For doctors, therapists, patients, and anyone associated with connective tissue disorders, this is another episode to add to your must-listen list.Learn more about Dr. Chopra here.Check out the products discussed during this episode:https://www.oxo.com/https://www.ancient-minerals.com/https://www.zebrasplints.com/https://www.etsy.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Connective tissue runs throughout your body, surrounding and connecting every system. This is what makes treating issues that arise from connective tissue disorders so difficult: when everything is connected, it’s hard to find the root cause of something.We’re in the midst of our summer series with Dr. Pradeep Chopra, renowned expert on connective tissue disorders such as Ehlers-Danlos Syndromes. In this discussion, Dr. Chopra talks through several common causes of head, neck, and chest pain in people with connective tissue disorders or symptomatic joint hypermobility.Dr. Chopra discusses his approach to exploring a patient’s signs and symptoms, and dives into common causes of headaches in this population and how to seek treatment. He shares headache hacks for different types of head pain and explains Chiari malformation and various problems that may arise from it.Dr. Chopra also offers hacks for TMD head pain, and touches briefly on craniocervical instability. He shares why he looks for cranial settling, looks at rib subluxations, and offers hacks for them as well. Finally, Dr. Chopra discusses chronic pain and the loneliness it may cause, emphasizing the benefits that may come from having an understanding support group.Another episode full of wisdom and encouragement from one of the world’s top experts in his field, you will find yourself listening, saving and sharing it with everyone!.....#RootCauseAnalysis #PatientCare #HeadAndSpineHealth #ChiariAwareness #UprightMRIAdvantage #SpinalConditions #ChiariWarrior #MRIInnovation #NeurologicalDisorders #SpineHealthMatters #ChiariJourney #AdvancedImaging #HSD  #JointHyermobility  #ChronicIllness  #ChronicPain  #EhlersDanlos --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/bendy-bodies/message Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Abdominal pain is an extremely common finding in people with connective tissue disorders, like Ehlers-Danlos Syndromes (EDS).  Similar to other issues patients face with EDS or Hypermobility Spectrum Disorders (HSD), getting answers can be challenging. Often, people go from specialist to specialist, trying to get help. Gastroenterologists, allergists, nutritionists, and pain specialists may look at abdominal pain from very different points of view. So getting complete information can be elusive and frustrating. That’s why Bendy Bodies took this opportunity to talk about abdominal pain with Dr. Pradeep Chopra, a pain management physician who works with complex chronic pain conditions.  Dr. Chopra lists many possible causes of abdominal pain, and talks through different diagnoses and how they might be interrelated.Dr. Chopra looks at over two dozen different diagnoses, from gastroparesis to small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) to postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS) to endometriosis. He shares his approach to uncovering abdominal pain sources, as well as the question he asks himself with every patient.Finally, Dr. Chopra offers some concrete tips for people suffering with abdominal pain. He suggests solutions for people who have trouble absorbing medication, and reveals his hacks for people working to sort out the source of their abdominal pain.For doctors looking to deepen their understanding of abdominal pain, as well as people trying to figure their own issues out, this deep dive of a podcast is not to be missed.Learn more about Dr. Chopra here.  --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/bendy-bodies/message Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices