Bendy Bodies with Dr. Linda Bluestein

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

Travel comes with a lot of uncertainty: flights get canceled, hotel reservations are lost, luggage never turns up. But add the complications of traveling with a chronic disorder like Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome, and voyaging becomes even more complicated.How can you plan for contingencies, guard yourself against flares, and still have a fantastic time while traveling? The Bendy Bodies team shares their favorite tips on traveling during this round table discussion. We share suggestions for actions to take leading up to the trip, reveal items we cannot live without on a trip, and look at ways to combat the effects of travel on a bendy body. Dr. Bluestein gives advice on preparing for traveling without your “pit crew”. Jennifer Milner addresses how to stay active on the trip without overdoing it, and Kristin Koskinen shares her top three tips for finding food to support your nutritional needs while away from your favorite grocery stores.The team offers their best all-around travel tips and advice for planning - as well as knowing that if things go awry, it will be ok!For anyone planning to travel soon, this episode is so packed with tips that you’ll find yourself taking notes while you listen!Learn more about Jennifer Milner, NCPT, Kristin Koskinen, RDN, and Linda Bluestein, MD.  PS:  Do not transport controlled substances across state (or country) lines outside of their original container, as that is illegal.  If you need a smaller container, ask your pharmacist.  --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/bendy-bodies/message Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Symptomatic joint hypermobility can be difficult to understand and can present in so many different ways. Recently, Victoria Daylor, Dr. Cortney Gensemer, Dr. Russell Norris, and Dr. Linda Bluestein published a CME two-part series titled “Hope for Hypermobility - An Integrative Approach to Treating Symptomatic Joint Hypermobility”. We were able to sit down with Dr. Gensemer, Ms. Daylor, and Dr. Bluestein to discuss their research and the results.They share how the collaboration came about and the developmental process they went through. The co-authors reveal their intentions behind the articles, and three things they want people to know about symptomatic joint hypermobility (SJH).The panel of guests discuss what they see for the future of joint hypermobility and related conditions, and stress the importance of properly done research. Written to be accessible both for people with SJH and medical professionals, these articles may well be a defining reference for many people in the future!With limited-time free access to Part 1 and Part 2 of this peer reviewed series, you will want to dive into these papers and share with others as soon as possible!.....#Hypermobility #ChronicPain #ConnectiveTissueDisorder #JointSupport #MedicalResearch #JointPain #SymptomManagement #Healthcare #PatientEducation #DoctorPatientRelationship #HopeForHypermobility #KnowledgeIsPower #Education #Scientist #WomenInStem #DisabledInStem --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/bendy-bodies/message Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Eating disorders are complicated and not uncommon in artistic athletes. Common comorbidities of symptomatic joint hypermobility (SJH), like mast cell activation disorder (MCAD) or gastroparesis, may contribute to disordered eating, which can spiral into an eating disorder. For years, eating disorders have been stigmatized and dismissed by many in the health community.To discuss this difficult topic, Bendy Bodies sat down with Dr. Jennifer Gaudiani, MD, CEDS-S, FAED, and founder of the Gaudiani Clinic for Eating Disorders.Dr. Gaudiani shares how she became so passionate about caring for this complex population and the importance of understanding her patient’s stories. She talks about why there’s such a stigma around eating disorders and how she’s working to change that.We discuss why this topic is so important for those with SJH and cover possible eating disorder mimickers. We break down definitions and explore possible predictors of eating disorders.Dr. Gaudiani shares the aspects of treatment that she has found vital, and offers tips on how to speak to someone you suspect may have an eating disorder. Finally, she reveals ways to find experts for getting the help needed for an eating disorder.  Learn more about the Gaudiani Clinic here.  For physicians, dance teachers, coaches, and anyone struggling with an eating disorder, this episode is a valuable look at a difficult topic.  .....#MentalHealth #BodyPositive #Nutritionist #DoctorsOfIG #IntuitiveEating #EDWarriors #Recovery #SportsNutrition #ChronicIllness #EatingDisorders #PlantBasedNutrition #MentalHealthMatters #NutritionMatters #InvisibleIllness #AntiDiet #AntiDietCulture --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/bendy-bodies/message Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Upper cervical instability (UCI) occurs quite commonly in the mild form and more rarely in the severe form in those with symptomatic generalized joint hypermobility (S-GJH).  Both can be impactful and are frequently missed.  An international team of physical / physiotherapy clinicians and a S-GJH expert rheumatologist recently published expert consensus recommendations for screening, assessing and managing patients with UCI associated with S-GJH.  Bendy Bodies sat down with first author, Leslie Russek, DPT, PhD, to discuss this important paper.  Hypermobility (too much range of motion) is different from instability (difficulty controlling motion at the joints).  UCI, upper cervical instability, means that the muscles and nerves lack the ability to appropriately control movement at the joint and sense where the joint is in space.  When UCI is severe it can be debilitating.  Except in the most extreme forms of UCI, conservative (ie: non-surgical) therapies are usually considered first.  Improving joint stability is the goal and Dr. Russek explains what patient factors are important to consider in determining treatment strategy.  Dr. Russek explains the difference between “highly suggestive” and “common” symptoms as well as musculoskeletal UCI vs neurological UCI.  She describes the three levels of irritability and how those should be approached in clinical practice.  Yellow and red flags in the history and the physical examination are addressed.Whether you are someone who suspects upper cervical instability or treats them, this is an episode you will not want to miss.  Learn more here. Hashtags: #CervicalSpineInstability #EhlersDanlosSyndrome #ChronicIllness #SpineInstability #ZebraSurvivor #ChronicPain #CervicalSpinalFusion #InvisibleIllness #Hypermobility #SpineHealth #hEDS #EDSawareness #ChronicPainWarrior #SpineFusion #ButYouDontLookSick #Instability #HSD --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/bendy-bodies/message Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices