Bendy Bodies with Dr. Linda Bluestein

Mast cells: interesting and mysterious. You can’t be born without them, but they don’t show up in blood tests. They’re found throughout the body and can affect multiple systems in vastly different ways. What makes them misbehave?We spoke with renowned Allergy and Immunology physician, Anne Maitland, MD, about the role of mast cells in the body, what happens when they go “off script”, and what we can do about it.Dr. Maitland explains that mast cells are necessary for recognizing and healing tissue injury, and make a decision on how to react. But what if your mast cells perceive the situation incorrectly? What if they perceive a five-alarm fire when it’s just an overcooked, smoky dinner? The mast cells react disproportionately to the perceived threat, and the over-reaction manifests itself throughout the body.She discusses how misbehaving mast cells manifest differently in different systems; she talks through examples of mast cell disorders; and she lists three questions to ask yourself as you try to figure out: are your mast cells misbehaving?Dr. Maitland describes the challenges people with mast cell disorders face in getting properly diagnosed and treated, and outlines her approach to treating mast cell disorders.  And finally, Dr. Maitland likens the hypermobile patient to a Maserati, and explains why proper maintenance is important sooner rather than later.A deep dive into all things mast cell-related, this episode is full of wisdom you won’t want to miss!Visit these links for more information about the books mentioned by Dr. Maitland.https://hiddenstripes.com/https://originwellnesscolorado.com/passport#Mastcellactivationsyndrome #Mastcellactivationdisorder #Mastcelldisease #MastCell #Hypermobilityspectrumdisorder #Hypermobilityspectrumdisorders #Ehlersdanlossyndromes #Doublejointed #heds  #ehlersdanlosawareness #BendyBodies  #hypermobilityMD #BendyBodiesPodcast #JenniferMilnerFor more information about Dr. Maitland, visit https://clinicalparadigms.com/ or https://chiarinsc.com/patient/For more information about Dr. Linda Bluestein, visit https://www.hypermobilitymd.com/For more information about Jennifer Milner, visit https://www.jennifer-milner.com/ --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/bendy-bodies/message Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Are you suffering from gastrointestinal distress? People with hypermobility disorders have a higher prevalence of GI problems than the general population. Dr. Leonard Weinstock, board-certified gastroenterologist with expertise in Ehlers-Danlos Syndromes (EDS) and related disorders, sits down with Bendy Bodies to discuss this very topic. Dr. Weinstock discusses the “unhappy triad" of EDS, postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS), and mast cell activation syndrome (MCAS) and how MCAS may actually be at the heart of EDS. He lists ways to be evaluated for GI disorders and speculates that 10-17% of the general population may have undiagnosed MCAS. He stresses the importance of a multi-disciplinary approach to treatment and thinking outside the box. We look at gastroparesis and small bowel intestinal overgrowth (SIBO) and their links to hEDS and hypermobility spectrum disorder (HSD), and Dr. Weinstock outlines the prevalence of median arcuate ligament syndrome (MALS) in people with MCAS or POTS. He elaborates on his prescribing practices with low-dose naltrexone (LDN) to help increase endorphin production and reduce inflammation, and lists vitamins and diet changes that can be effective in people with MCAS. As one of the authors of "Covid-19 hyperinflammation and post-Covid-19 illness may be rooted in mast cell activation syndrome", Dr. Weinstock discusses the possible link between long-COVID 19 illness and MCAS. And finally, he shares suggestions on what to do if you’re having difficulty finding a GI specialist who understands complicated disorders like EDS and MCAS. For anyone dealing with GI issues, as well as physicians looking to understand the connection between hypermobility and GI disorders, this is a timely and important podcast. https://www.gidoctor.net/provider/leonard-weinstock-md https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32328892/ https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32920235/ https://www.researchgate.net/publication/338327834_Perioperative_Care_in_Patients_with_Ehlers_Danlos_Syndromes #Podcast #LeonardWeinstockMD #GIdisorders #EDS #zebrastrong #MCAS #MALS #POTS #SIBO #hEDS #autoimmunedisorders #BendyBodies #BendyBodiespodcast #hypermobilitymd #lindabluesteinmd #jennifermilner #bodiesinmotion #balletwhisperer #hypermobility #mastcelldisease #mastcelldisorder #EhlersDanlos #EDSAwarenessMonth  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Do you live with a hypermobility disorder?Whether you have a connective tissue disorder like Ehlers-Danlos syndrome or Marfan syndrome, or a hypermobility spectrum disorder, you are not alone.  These conditions affect millions of people worldwide and disproportionately impact performing artists such as dancers, gymnasts, circus artists, and more.  What do these have in common?   Bodies that rely on aesthetics as well as maintaining peak performance. So how do you continue forward as your condition poses challenges to what you want to do?And when your health derails your career plans, how do you recover from that?We sat down with several athletic artists living with EDS, to hear their stories. We chatted with Marimba Gold-Watts, a former dancer and now Pilates trainer and teacher at Alvin Ailey; Mariana J. Plick, a circus artist; Kyle Thompson, a former elite baseball player and competitive cheerleader; and Cailey Brandon, a former dancer and now Pilates trainer.Our panelists discuss the early days, when things were “easy”, and the point at which it became difficult. They share how their hypermobility disorders may have gone undiagnosed for a long time, lending itself to seemingly random and frustrating multiple injuries. Many identified with “hitting the EDS wall”, and the sharp turn their health seemed to take at that point.We hear emotional stories, and lots of wisdom for other people also struggling with hypermobility disorders. The panelists also shared their hope, reflecting on ways that their disorders have made them even stronger right now, and revealed what advice they would offer to their younger selves if they had the chance.Filled with “Oh my goodness, me too!” moments, as well as words of gut-level truth, this is an episode filled with bravery. You won’t want to miss it.#hypermobility #heds #zebrastrong #hypermobilitydisorders #ehlersdanlossyndrome #hypermobileathletes #hypermobileartists #hypermobiledancers #hypermobilitymd #bendybodies #bendybodiespodcast #bodiesinmotion #jennifermilner  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Neurodivergency occurs at a much higher rate amongst people with hypermobility disorders like Ehlers-Danlos Syndromes and hypermobility spectrum disorders. What’s the connection? Jessica Eccles, MD, senior clinical academic psychiatrist at Brighton and Sussex Medical School, and specialist in brain-body neuroscience, recently spoke with Bendy Bodies about these neurological conditions that include dyslexia, autism, ADHD, dyspraxia, and dyscalculia. Dr. Eccles led the first neuroimaging study of hypermobility and her work has focused on neuropsychiatric manifestations of connective tissue disorders. Dr. Eccles stresses that neurodivergency isn’t a disability or disorder, but a different way of neurological processing. She explains surprising findings of her research including possible explanations for the link between hypermobility and anxiety. Dr. Eccles reveals that people with EDS (Ehlers-Danlos Syndromes) are seven times more likely to be autistic, and six times more likely to have ADHD, compared to the general population. She stresses the importance of recognizing the link between hypermobility and neurodivergency and dives into proprioceptive issues and dyspraxia. Dr. Eccles offers suggestions for seeking help if you suspect you are neurodivergent. She also provides advice for teachers and parents to be more effective in their roles with neurdivergent artists. As Dr. Eccles states, “Neurodivergency shouldn’t be thought of as something to hold you back, but something to embrace.” If you or someone you know may be neurodivergent, this is an episode not to be missed. Find Dr. Eccles: https://www.bsms.ac.uk/about/contact-us/staff/dr-jessica-eccles.aspx @BendyBrain https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Jessica_Eccles Suggested reading: "The Relationship between Autism and Ehlers-Danlos Syndromes/Hypermobility Spectrum Disorders" https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7711487/ #autismacceptence #autismawareness #neurodivergent #autisticadults #neurodiversity #autistic #autimstruth #redinstead #bendybodies #bendybodiespodcast #lindabluesteinmd #jennifermilner #zebrastrong #hypermobility #hypermobilitydisorders  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A very high percentage of dancers and athletic artists struggle with perfectionism: it’s what makes us so good at what we do, while at the same time can be unhealthy for us as individuals.Bonnie Robson, world-renowned psychiatrist and dance medicine specialist, is back to talk to us about perfectionism in the arts world. She defines perfectionism, and explores the duality of perfectionism and anxiety. Bonnie discusses the difference between positive and negative perfectionism, and warns of the danger of the “I should” syndrome.Bonnie shares techniques to get rid of negative thoughts and looks at performance STRIVINGS versus performance CONCERNS. She discusses the variables that differentiate between adaptive and maladaptive perfectionism, and how unhealthy competition actually decreases creativity.We look at how the pursuit of perfection can increase stress, which contributes to social anxiety, eating disorder, and suicidal thoughts. Bonnie offers tips for training and setting reasonable goals, and shares tools for parents to recognize stress and anxiety in their young artists. As Bonnie reminds everyone who strives for perfection, “It’s ok to say that’s good enough”.This episode is a must-listen for parents, artists, studio owners, and dance medicine professionals working with artists on a regular basis.Link to "Brain structure and joint hypermobility: relevance to the expression of psychiatric symptoms" article mentioned in the episode:https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3365276/#anxiety #mentalhealth #selflove #bodypositivity #mentalhealthawareness #disorderedeating #perfectionism #depression #perfectionist #ehlersdanlossyndromes #selfcare #mcas #healthcoach #movementismedicine #healthyliving #pots #inspiration #motivation #perfection #berealnotperfect #certifiedhealthcoach #IADMS #danceanxiety #mentalhealthfordancers #BendyBodies #BendyBodiesPodcast #jennifermilner #bodiesinmotion #balletwhisperer #hypermobilitymd  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jill Miller’s life was upended with shocking news of end-stage osteoarthritis in her early forties. This led to her exploration of healthy ways of releasing and restoring her hypermobile body. Her study of the body led her to fascia and its importance in healthy motion. As she began applying fascial  work to her own body practice, she realized she wanted to share her own journey and what she’d learned in the process.So what exactly is fascia? Fascia is the structural web in the body that connects all the parts together: organs, muscles, tendons, and nerves are all surrounded by it. Fascia is richly innervated by sensory nerves, and plays an important role in proprioception and interoception.In this episode, Jill discusses why stretching feels so good, and suggests healthier ways to achieve that feeling. She touches on why tears in connective tissue, especially tendons and ligaments, are particularly challenging to repair, and thus why it’s important for bendy bodies to understand fascia. Jill believes that understanding fascia gives us insight into more effective and efficient ways to alter perceived tightness and transform your embodied sense of the musculoskeletal system, and wants to help people define longevity strategies for healthy movement patterns. Finally, Jill speaks about her book “The Roll Model” and how she developed her own fascial mobilization system - and wants to share it with everyone! Whether you’re new to the fascial world  or wanting a deeper look, there’s something for everyone in this episode.  For the Anatomy Trains program,visit: https://tuneup.fit/6DVqIz Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Photography encapsulates a moment in time like no other art form, and every artist walks into the studio wanting to capture their best selves. Some walk away ecstatic, while others leave unsatisfied or even injured. Dancers and photographers alike may feel pressure for photos that continue to push the body - and safety - to its limits, to capture the next “WOW!” shot.How do you get pictures that reflect your fullest, most amazing self, without pushing your body too far? How do you find a photographer who understands dancers and will make you feel safe?Bendy Bodies asked renowned dance photographer Rachel Neville these very questions.Rachel’s passion for dancers is evident as she discusses the ways she helps dancers get the perfect arabesque or action shot. But she also understands the tension a  photographer wrestles with, of wanting to push boundaries in art while at the same time protecting the dancer and creating a safe space. What is the photographer’s responsibility in making sure a dancer stays physically and emotionally safe?Rachel offers practical tips on developing a session organically, finding your “best self” and working into it. She reveals why she treats a shoot like a ballet class, shares the reason photography shoots take patience and practice from both the photographer and the dancer, and explains why the foundational elements of how the shoot is built are just as important as using the right muscles in a movement.Rachel discusses how she makes dancers feel confident and safe in a shoot, and find their emotional expression through their movements. She emphasizes the importance of letting dancers know that the photographer “has your back”, and opens up about what she wishes all dancers could know before a photo shoot, offering questions to ask photographers beforehand.And for all artists, Rachel asks the question:How do we find our authentic self, and truly show what we have to offer?If you’re a photographer, artist, or simply a fan, you’ll love the wisdom in this episode. Link is in bio, or listen on your favorite streaming platform!#rachelneville #rachelnevillestudios #dancephotography #dance #bendybodies #bendybodiespodcast #hypermobility #hypermobilitymd #lindabluesteinmd #jennifermilner #bodiesinmotion  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What support does a hypermobile young artist need?Hint: a lot.Hypermobile dancers, gymnasts, skaters, circus artists: the same hypermobility that gives them extraordinary lines and range of motion, also makes them vulnerable to injury, mental health issues, and more. They have unique needs and susceptibilities - so how do we help them?For this episode, several members of Team Bendy Bodies sit down to discuss a whole-body (and mind) approach to caring for adolescent artists. Specialist Linda Bluestein MD, trainer and ballet coach Jennifer Milner, nutritionist Kristin Koskinen, and EDS Wellness ambassador Aidan Leslie speak frankly about the requirements in working with adolescent bendy bodies, from their “superpowers” to their “kryptonite”.We discuss how parents can find help for their adolescent artist, and when to start putting together a “pit crew” to have on hand. Aidan shares her own story and offers suggestions on how to advocate for yourself as a teen artist looking to stay healthy in classes that don’t allow for modifications for hypermobility dancers. Kristin describes signs of disordered eating, and how to get help with fueling. Dr. Bluestein looks at symptoms of hypermobility that go beyond “flexibility” and discusses how “hypermobile” doesn’t always equal “flexible”. Jennifer shares her experiences training hypermobile dancers and mentoring them down that narrow path of working hard to be strong while knowing when to pull back to avoid injury.And finally, we discuss the importance of mental health in the adolescent artist and why it’s always better to address something when it’s “little” than wait until it’s “big”. As Kristin points out, “Emotional owies have a harder time healing.”Are you a pre-professional artist? This episode can give you guidance on how and when to ask for help as well as how to advocate for yourself. If you’re a parent, teacher, coach, or mentor, this is a must-listen as we discuss how it really takes a village to raise a hypermobile artist.#traininghypermobiledancers #hypermobileathletes #mentalhealthfordancers #disorderedeating #mentalhealthfordancers #hypermobility #dancerlife #hypermobiledancer #hypermobileballet #hyperextensiondance #BendyBodies #BendyBodiespodcast #TeamBendyBodies #HypermobilityMD #LindaBluesteinMD #JenniferMilner #BodiesInMotion #balletwhisperer #KristinKoskinenRDN #eatwellpros #atypicalAidan  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What the heck is a pelvic floor and why should you care?The pelvic floor is a collection of muscle and connective tissue forming a hammock at the bottom of your pelvis. Hypermobile people should be especially aware of their pelvic floor, as connective tissue disorders can cause ligaments and tendons to stretch and weaken, creating problems in this crucial area of the body.Jeanice Mitchell, a pelvic floor physical therapist and worldwide educator on the topic, joins Bendy Bodies to share her wisdom on common pelvic floor issues with hypermobility. She takes us through ways to recognize pelvic floor issues and warning signs of pelvic floor dysfunction. She also touches on pelvic organ prolapse and why this is relevant in hypermobile folks.Jeanice discusses when someone might seek out a pelvic floor PT, how hormones can affect pelvic floor tissue, and how pelvic floor health is important for all ages, and for men as well as women. We touch on common dysfunctions in the hypermobile population such as constipation, pelvic pain, and sexual dysfunction, as well as dysfunction of the pupic symphysis and sacroiliac joints.This episode is packed with tips for improving your own pelvic floor health, and Jeanice’s passion and enthusiasm for pelvic floor health shines throughout the interview. As she said, Jeanice is “happy to connect people with hope and help.”For more information about Jeanice follow her on Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/mypelvicfloormuscles/For multi-lingual information:https://www.instagram.com/mypfm/Healthcare professionals, follow her here:https://www.instagram.com/mypfm.ambassadors/Check out Jeanice's website:https://www.mypfm.com/#mypfm #pelvicfloorPT #pelvicfloorsolutions #mypelvicfloormuscles #JeaniceMitchell #JenniferMilner #balletwhisperer #BodiesinMotion #HypermobilityMD #LindaBluesteinMD #HypermobilityDance #HypermobilityBallet #HypermobileDancers #Hypermobility #BendyBodies #BendyBodiesPodcast #HypermobilitySpectrumDisorders #HSD #EhlersDanlosSyndromes #EDS #zebrastrong  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Do you love a fresh start? Have you ever made a new year's resolution and then dreaded it? It’s common for people to look at eating habits, make bold, sweeping commitments, and vow to be perfect this month/year/lifetime. But that’s not realistic, or healthy - physically or emotionally. And since people with hypermobility disorders are statistically more likely to display obsessive behaviors like disordered eating, it's something we need to talk about. Kristin Koskinen, RDN is back with Bendy Bodies to talk about this potential minefield of a season. She reminds us that self-improvement is different from self-abuse, and that “being good” does NOT equal “restrictive”. Kristin points out that fear can be a significant driver and that each person’s fear, guilt, or insecurity must be acknowledged. She encourages people to look at the “why” behind wanting to make behavior changes and promotes moving forward with small baby steps. Kristin discusses how extrinsic devices aren’t necessarily helpful or accurate, how labels might box us in, and reminds us of the importance of not trying to “undo” what we’ve already done, but to simply try to move forward. This episode is for anyone struggling physically or emotionally with food patterns, or even for the healthy dancer looking to be more mindful of her nourishment.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices