Bendy Bodies with Dr. Linda Bluestein

Artistic athletes often push their flexibility to the limit, both for competitive and aesthetic reasons.   Nowhere are limits tested more than in rhythmic gymnastics where hypermobility tends to be the norm.Vita Bachman, former international Ukrainian rhythmic gymnast and now a highly respected coach, speaks openly with Bendy Bodies about her experience in the world of rhythmic gymnastics, both as an athlete and as a coach.Vita discusses how the sport has changed since she competed, and what factors influence how she coaches today.  She discusses the pitfall in “chasing the points” of competitive rhythmic gymnastics, and why she continually seeks out the best methods for training her students even when these methods differ from what she was taught as a competitor.Living with her own career-related medical problems, Vita strives to be a coach that trains competitive but healthy athletes, both physically and mentally. She shares the hopes she has for the future of rhythmic gymnastics, as well as the hurdles she finds in trying to change certain aspects. She discusses her concerns with social media, confides what she’d like parents to know when shepherding their children through extreme stretching, and shares her own approach to training flexibility in a long-term, healthier wayA rare, inside look at one of the most demanding sports for bendy bodies out there!#rhythmicgymnastics #rhythmicgymnasts #vitabachman #beyondlimitsrg #hypermobility #overstretching #bodiesinmotion #hypermobilitymd #jennifermilner #oversplits #safestretching #bendybodies #bendybodiespodcast #hypermobileHer website is www.beyondlimitsrg.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

Chronic illness can make your life feel filled with insurmountable obstacles. Pursuing your dreams, even in the face of health issues, may feel hopeless. But moving forward, even in small increments, you can accomplish great things.Just ask gold medalist Allysa Seely.Allysa grew up as a dancer and competitive athlete before health issues tried to sideline her. She spent three years advocating for herself as a teen and young adult, fighting to be listened to, before finally being diagnosed with Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS), Chiari Malformation, Basilar Invagination, Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS), and more.Allysa refused to let her diagnoses define her, and has become a two-time gold-medal winning paratriathlete at the 2016 and 2020 Paralympics. She shares how she’s been able to compete at such a high level with multiple chronic illnesses, and opens up about her hard journey in college to get a diagnosis.Allysa confides that she used all her “you can’t”s as fuel to move her forward in pursuit of her dream. She discusses her difficult decision about her amputation, and shares her tips for getting through hard days.Allysa’s story, and how she turned challenge into triumph in her life, is inspiring and encouraging for everyone living with chronic illness. As Allysa shows, there really are no limits. An inspiring and encouraging interview for anyone struggling with limitations or hardship.#TriAllysa #paraolympics #USAparatriathalon #triathalon #paratriathlete #amputation #EhlersDanlossyndromes #EhlersDanlos #ChiariMalformation #Chiari #POTS  #bendybodies #bendybodiespodcast #hypermobilitymd #JenniferMilner --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/bendy-bodies/message Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Navigating medical care can be a daunting task at the best of times, but when you have a chronic disorder that is largely an invisible illness, you may find yourself bewildered and frustrated trying to get the care you need. Often, a diagnosis like Hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos syndrome or hypermobility spectrum disorder can come with co-morbidities such as POTS (Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia syndrome), MALS (Median Arcuate Ligament syndrome), MCAS (Mast Cell Activation syndrome), and more.And with multiple diagnoses comes multiple doctors’ visits.Bendy Bodies chats with our own wellness ambassador, Aidan Leslie, a retired dancer who has been living with an hEDS diagnosis for the past five years and spending her fair share of time in doctors’ offices.Aidan opens up about the bumpy road of her own health journey. She talks about hitting the “EDS wall” and fighting to take control of her life back. Aidan speaks frankly about her experience navigating the medical world, both as a minor and as someone with an invisible illness.  Aidan offers tips on how to prepare for medical appointments and suggestions for “how to push back against the push-back”.And just as Aidan is willing to share her side of the medical experience, Bendy Bodies founder Dr. Linda Bluestein joins in to give advice from her side of the stethoscope.Dr. Bluestein describes a medical one-sheet and how to build one for your medical care, and shares what she wants teen patients specifically to know about advocating for your own health. Dr. Bluestein discusses options you might have if you feel unseen or unheard in an appointment, and suggests ways to connect with a doctor during an appointment.Filled with excellent insight from both sides of the prescription pad, this episode is one you’ll want to listen to with a notepad handy.#spoonie #chronicillness #ehlersdanlossyndrome #ehlersdanlos #hypermobility #chronicpain #pots #heds #ehlersdanlossyndromes #mcas #invisibleillness #hypermobilitysyndrome  #hypermobilityspectrumdisorders  #zebrastrong  #bendybodies #BendyBodiesPodcast #JenniferMilner #balletwhisperer #hypermobilitymd --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/bendy-bodies/message Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What exactly is dry needling? How is it different from acupuncture? What sort of issues might it be used for?Dry needling can be a vital part of an artistic athlete’s healthcare, but sometimes can be misunderstood. Mandy Blackmon, DPT, head physical therapist for Atlanta Ballet's company dancers also serves as an instructor in the Dry Needling Series for Myopain Seminars since 2014.Mandy explains why she considers dry needling to be a highly effective tool for treating the hypermobile population, and how people with hypermobility can react differently to dry needling. She offers advice on where to start when faced with people with multi-systemic issues, and reveals why dry needling is like rebooting a computer!Mandy tells us how to find a dry-needling practitioner, and what information to share with that professional, as well as outlining situations where dry needling might not be appropriate.Whether you’re new to dry needling or use it as a regular part of your health maintenance toolbox, there’s a lot to learn from this excellent discussion.To learn more about Dr. Blackmon and Myopain Seminars:https://www.mandydancept.com/https://www.atlantadancemedicine.com/https://www.myopainseminars.com/resources/blog/••••#dryneedling #dancemedicine #hypermobility #hypermobile #dancephysicaltherapy #chronicpain #ehlersdanlossyndrome #fibromyalgia #ehlersdanlos  #heds #hypermobility #zebrastrong #BendyBodies #zebra #chronicpainwarrior #JenniferMilner #balletwhisperer  #hypermobilityMD #BendyBodiesPodcast --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/bendy-bodies/message Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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