Bendy Bodies with Dr. Linda Bluestein

Human Content
Human Content
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Whether you’re bendy with all the benefits or hurting in all the wrong places, you’ve come to the right place for all things hypermobility. Connective tissue disorders like Ehlers-Danlos Syndromes (EDS) are often dismissed or overlooked by healthcare providers as a cause of chronic pain. But if you or someone you care about struggles with the life-altering symptoms of hypermobility, you should know YOU ARE NOT ALONE! At the Bendy Bodies Podcast, we understand. Each week, join Dr. Linda Bluestein (The Hypermobility MD) as she pulls back the curtain on how to prevent injury and unnecessary suffering in “double-jointed” individuals seeking a more comfortable life in their unique, complex “bendy bodies.” When you tune in, you’re engaging in more than a podcast. Both on-air and online, you’re joining a supportive community where patients, caregivers, and healthcare professionals trade insights, life hacks, and inspiring stories to embrace our Bendy Bodies journey together!

  1. 1d ago

    Is the Ehlers-Danlos Umbrella Helping... or Hurting? with Abbey Phillipson (Ep 208)

    Could lumping every type of Ehlers-Danlos syndrome under one umbrella actually be doing more harm than good? In this thought-provoking episode, host Dr. Linda Bluestein, the Hypermobility MD, is joined by Abbey Phillipson, who was born with COL5A1 classical Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, survived the first recorded non-traumatic pediatric spondyloptosis, and now serves as Head Strength Coach for Paralympic and Adaptive Sports at the University of Michigan and founder of the Collagen Advocacy Network. Inspired by Abbey's powerful presentation at the UVA Research Symposium, this conversation challenges long-held assumptions about how we define, discuss, and advocate for Ehlers-Danlos syndrome. Although hypermobile EDS has dramatically increased public awareness, Abbey argues that people living with rare and ultra-rare EDS types, representing just 1 to 3 percent of the community, are too often overlooked in research, funding, clinical care, and even public conversations. Together, Dr. Bluestein and Abbey explore whether the different EDS types should continue to share a single name, why distinguishing hypermobile EDS from the genetically defined types could ultimately benefit everyone, and how naming disorders by their underlying gene and predominant manifestation might improve diagnosis, research, and patient care. Abbey also shares deeply personal stories that illustrate what's at stake, including a friend who spent 35 years carrying the wrong diagnosis before genetic testing revealed kyphoscoliotic EDS. Their conversation highlights why genetic counseling matters, the limitations of direct-to-consumer testing, and how assumptions in medicine can unintentionally delay appropriate care. The episode closes on a message of hope and empowerment. After her neurosurgeon prescribed strength training, Abbey transformed from experiencing monthly full-joint dislocations to having none. Today, she helps athletes and people of all abilities discover that movement can be adapted, strength can be built, and disability does not define potential. She also shares why advocacy is most effective when it channels frustration into meaningful, solution-focused action, plus one of her favorite protein-packed hypermobility hacks. Takeaways: People with rare and ultra-rare EDS types make up only about 1 to 3 percent of the community and are frequently left out of decisions about research, funding, and care. Clearly distinguishing hypermobile EDS from the genetically defined types benefits everyone; naming a condition by its gene and predominant manifestation could improve medical clarity and care. The "invisible illness" framing can cause genuinely visible rare types to be overlooked, and comfort with a clinical diagnosis can lead to decades-long misdiagnoses that genetic testing would catch. Genetic testing and counseling are essential, especially before starting a family; direct-to-consumer testing carries real limitations and should be interpreted cautiously. Strength training can be transformative: after her neurosurgeon prescribed it, Abbey went from frequent full dislocations to none, and movement can be tailored to activities people love rather than being purely prescriptive. Go to AirDoctorPro.com and use promo code BENDY_ to get UP TO $300 off today! Want more Abbey Phillipson? Instagram: @abbeyphillipson @definedbycollagen Website: collagenadvocacynetwork.org Want more Dr. Linda Bluestein, MD?Website:  https://www.hypermobilitymd.com/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@bendybodiespodcastInstagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/hypermobilitymd/⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/BendyBodiesPodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠X: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://twitter.com/BluesteinLinda⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/hypermobilitymd/⁠⁠⁠⁠Newsletter: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://hypermobilitymd.substack.com/Shop my Amazon store ⁠⁠⁠ https://www.amazon.com/shop/hypermobilitymdDr. Bluestein's Recommended Herbs, Supplements and Care Necessities: https://us.fullscript.com/welcome/hypermobilitymd/store-start Want to learn more about the UVA EDS Center? For Appointments and Questions: RUVAEDSCenter@uvahealth.orgUVA EDS: https://www.uvahealth.com/healthy-practice/advancing-care-through-ehlers-danlos-clinicUVA EDS FAQ: https://www.uvahealth.com/support/eds/faq UVA Pediatric Integrative Medicine: https://childrens.uvahealth.com/specialties/integrative-health 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. YOUR bendy body is our highest priority!⁠⁠ Learn more about Human Content at ⁠⁠⁠http://www\.human-content\.com⁠⁠⁠ Podcast Advertising/Business Inquiries: ⁠⁠⁠sales@human-content.com⁠⁠⁠ Part of the Human Content Podcast Network FTC: This video is not sponsored. Links are commissionable, meaning I may earn commission from purchases made through links Join YOUR Bendy Bodies community at ⁠⁠https://www\.bendybodiespodcast\.com/⁠⁠. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

  2. Jul 30

    Are EDS Treatments Moving Faster Than the Evidence? with Dr. Dacre Knight (Ep 207)

    Are surgical risks in EDS exaggerated, underestimated, or simply misunderstood? And how can patients tell the difference between a promising treatment and an expensive procedure being marketed ahead of the evidence? In this listener Q&A episode, host Dr. Linda Bluestein, the Hypermobility MD, is joined by recurring co-host Dr. Dacre Knight, Medical Director of the UVA Health EDS and Hypermobility Disorders Center, to tackle some of the most difficult questions submitted by the Bendy Bodies community. They begin with a candid discussion about surgery in EDS: why most patients do well, which complications are genuinely more likely, and why a surgeon’s technical experience and procedural volume may matter just as much as their understanding of EDS (Ehlers-Danlos Syndromes) and HSD (Hypermobility Spectrum Disorders). They also explain how poorly controlled mast cell activation can derail recovery and why preparation before surgery may be more important than simply being reassured that everything will be fine. The conversation then turns to the striking mental health burden within the EDS and hypermobility population, including self-harm and cutting behaviors. Dr. Bluestein and Dr. Knight discuss why anxiety, depression, insomnia, and pain may sometimes reflect shared underlying biological drivers, and how treatments such as low dose naltrexone (LDN) may improve multiple symptoms at once when used thoughtfully. Listener questions lead them into the increasingly controversial world of cervical instability treatment, including PRP, the PICL procedure, and cervical fusion. What evidence actually exists? Who may benefit? What are the risks? And could treating mast cell activation and other contributors first reduce symptoms enough to avoid an invasive procedure altogether? They also take a critical look at IV infusion therapy, explaining when infusions may be medically appropriate, when they may cause more harm than benefit, and why clinics offering the same expensive infusion to nearly every patient before reviewing labs should immediately raise concern. The episode closes with an honest assessment of what is currently known about the cause of hypermobile EDS (hEDS), whether epigenetics may play a role, and why patients should pause whenever a clinician recommends a highly prescriptive treatment before completing a proper diagnostic evaluation. Takeaways: EDS surgery risks are real, but fear-based messaging can be harmful too. Most patients do well, especially when they choose an experienced, high-volume surgeon and address factors such as mast cell activation syndrome (MCAS) before the procedure. A kind surgeon is not necessarily a skilled surgeon. Bedside manner matters, but technical expertise, procedural volume, complication rates, and careful postoperative planning may matter even more. Mental health symptoms in EDS should not automatically be dismissed as “just anxiety.” Pain, poor sleep, mast cell activation, autonomic dysfunction, inflammation, and other biological drivers can profoundly affect emotional health and may need to be treated alongside psychological support. One treatment can sometimes improve far more than one symptom. When appropriately prescribed, low dose naltrexone (LDN) may improve pain, sleep, mood, anxiety, GI symptoms, and overall function by addressing shared underlying mechanisms. PRP and the PICL procedure are promising options for carefully selected patients, particularly given the significant risks and irreversible nature of cervical fusion. While early experience is encouraging, we still need higher-quality studies to better define who benefits most, what the long-term outcomes are, and how these procedures compare with other treatment options. Go http://www.AquaTru.com now for 20% off (your purifier) using promo code BENDY. Want to learn more about the UVA EDS Center? For Appointments and Questions: RUVAEDSCenter@uvahealth.org UVA EDS: https://www.uvahealth.com/healthy-practice/advancing-care-through-ehlers-danlos-clinic UVA EDS FAQ: https://www.uvahealth.com/support/eds/faq UVA Pediatric Integrative Medicine: https://childrens.uvahealth.com/specialties/integrative-health Want more Dr. Linda Bluestein, MD? Website: https://www.hypermobilitymd.com/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@bendybodiespodcast Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/hypermobilitymd/⁠⁠⁠⁠ Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/BendyBodiesPodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠ X: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://twitter.com/BluesteinLinda⁠⁠⁠⁠ LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/hypermobilitymd/⁠⁠⁠⁠ Newsletter: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://hypermobilitymd.substack.com/ Shop my Amazon store ⁠⁠⁠ https://www.amazon.com/shop/hypermobilitymd Dr. Bluestein's Recommended Herbs, Supplements and Care Necessities: https://us.fullscript.com/welcome/hypermobilitymd/store-start 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!⁠⁠ Learn more about Human Content at ⁠⁠⁠http://www\.human-content\.com⁠⁠⁠ Podcast Advertising/Business Inquiries: ⁠⁠⁠sales@human-content.com⁠⁠⁠ Part of the Human Content Podcast Network FTC: This video is not sponsored. Links are commissionable, meaning I may earn commission from purchases made through links Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

  3. Jul 23

    Medical Cannabis, hEDS, and the Sensitized Nervous System with Professor Dave Nutt & Lucy Stafford (Ep 206)

    Why do some people with hEDS or HSD report meaningful relief with medical cannabis, while others feel worse, notice no benefit, or experience side effects? And what might these varied responses teach us about pain, the autonomic nervous system, gut function, and nervous system sensitization? In this episode, host Dr. Linda Bluestein, the Hypermobility MD, is joined by Professor David Nutt, a neuropsychopharmacologist at Imperial College London, and Lucy Stafford, a PhD researcher in clinical neuroscience with lived experience of hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos syndrome. This is not a hype episode, a recommendation to use cannabis, or medical advice. Instead, it is a careful, curiosity-driven conversation about what is known, what is still emerging, and what remains uncertain about medical cannabis in hEDS and HSD. Lucy shares her experience of severe illness, high-dose opioid treatment, a feeding tube, repeated ICU stays, and eventually coming off opioids, an experience that helped shape her path into cannabinoid research. Professor Nutt explains the discovery of the endocannabinoid system and why this system may be relevant to pain processing, stress responses, autonomic regulation, immune signaling, and gut function. Together, they explore how cannabinoids may influence a sensitized nervous system, why responses vary so widely, and why medically complex patients need individualized guidance rather than shame, dismissal, or unsupported promises. The conversation covers many of the practical questions patients often ask, including the difference between CBD and THC, full-spectrum products, terpenes and the entourage effect, routes of administration, absorption differences, and the importance of a cautious “start low, go slow” approach when cannabis is being considered under appropriate medical supervision. They also address important safety considerations, including contraindications, drug interactions, psychiatric risk, impairment, dependence, and why cannabis is not appropriate for everyone. The episode closes with a broader discussion of stigma, the emerging science of psychedelics for chronic pain, and the human and financial costs of undertreated complex illness. The Bendy Bodies podcast is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for personalized medical advice. Laws, product quality, dosing, and individual risks vary, so patients should consult a qualified healthcare professional before using cannabis or changing any treatment plan. Takeaways: The endocannabinoid system is an important regulatory system involved in pain processing, stress responses, immune signaling, gut function, and nervous system homeostasis, yet it receives relatively little attention in medical and neuroscience training. Cannabinoids do not work like opioids. Rather than simply “blocking” pain, they may influence pain modulation, nervous system sensitization, autonomic tone, and gut motility, though much remains to be studied specifically in hEDS and HSD. CBD and THC have different effects, benefits, and risks. CBD may reduce some unwanted THC effects for certain people, but responses vary, and dosing should be individualized. A cautious “start low, go slow” approach is especially important for medically complex patients, particularly those with dysautonomia, medication sensitivity, MCAS-like symptoms, anxiety, or multiple medications. Individual responses to cannabis vary widely. Differences in absorption, metabolism, product composition, route of administration, and underlying physiology may help explain why one person improves while another worsens or notices no effect. Cannabis is not right for everyone. Extra caution is warranted for people with a history of psychosis, paranoia, substance use disorder, significant cognitive impairment, fall risk, pregnancy, or medications metabolized through overlapping liver pathways. Patients deserve balanced information: neither stigma and dismissal nor exaggerated promises. The goal is thoughtful, evidence-informed, individualized decision-making. Go http://www.AquaTru.com now for 20% off (your purifier) using promo code BENDY. Head to http://www.cozyearth.com and use my code BENDY for an exclusive 20% off. Want more Professor Dave Nutt & Lucy Stafford? X / Twitter link. Profdavidnutt@twitter.com & @lucystaffie BleuSky:profdavidnutt@bluesky.com Instagram: @lustaffordphd, @drugscienceuk, @Drug_Science & @EmbodiedNeuro Want more Dr. Linda Bluestein, MD? Website: https://www.hypermobilitymd.com/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@bendybodiespodcast Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/hypermobilitymd/⁠⁠⁠⁠ Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/BendyBodiesPodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠ X: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://twitter.com/BluesteinLinda⁠⁠⁠⁠ LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/hypermobilitymd/⁠⁠⁠⁠ Newsletter: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://hypermobilitymd.substack.com/ Shop my Amazon store ⁠⁠⁠ https://www.amazon.com/shop/hypermobilitymd Dr. Bluestein's Recommended Herbs, Supplements and Care Necessities: https://us.fullscript.com/welcome/hypermobilitymd/store-start Want to learn more about the UVA EDS Center? For Appointments and Questions: RUVAEDSCenter@uvahealth.org UVA EDS: https://www.uvahealth.com/healthy-practice/advancing-care-through-ehlers-danlos-clinic UVA EDS FAQ: https://www.uvahealth.com/support/eds/faq UVA Pediatric Integrative Medicine: https://childrens.uvahealth.com/specialties/integrative-health 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!⁠⁠ Learn more about Human Content at ⁠⁠⁠http://www\.human-content\.com⁠⁠⁠ Podcast Advertising/Business Inquiries: ⁠⁠⁠sales@human-content.com⁠⁠⁠ Part of the Human Content Podcast Network FTC: This video is not sponsored. Links are commissionable, meaning I may earn commission from purchases made through links Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

  4. Jul 16

    The Hidden Link Between Long COVID, Lyme Disease & Hypermobility with Dr. Ina Stephens (Ep 205)

    Can a single infection permanently change your health, or does it simply reveal something that was already there? In this episode, host Dr. Linda Bluestein, the Hypermobility MD, welcomes back Dr. Ina Stephens, Associate Director of the UVA Health EDS & Hypermobility Disorders Center, for an in-depth discussion about Long COVID, post-infectious syndromes, and their connection to Ehlers-Danlos syndromes (EDS), hypermobility spectrum disorders (HSD), and immune dysfunction. Dr. Stephens explains why post-infectious illnesses are real and have been recognized for more than a century, tracing the pattern from the 1917 influenza pandemic and encephalitis lethargica to modern conditions including Long COVID, reactivated Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), Lyme disease, Babesia and other tick-borne infections, and myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS). She shares the detective work behind her Diagnostic Dilemma Clinic, how a comprehensive history and targeted evaluation uncover hidden diagnoses, and why so many patients with complex chronic illness also have hypermobility. The conversation explores emerging research showing that people with hypermobility are approximately four times more likely to develop Long COVID, with an even greater risk in those with postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS) and mast cell activation syndrome (MCAS). Dr. Stephens and Dr. Bluestein discuss the underlying biology, including immune dysregulation, autonomic nervous system dysfunction, vagus nerve dysfunction, mitochondrial dysfunction, and the ways connective tissue disorders may influence recovery after infection. They also review evidence-informed treatment strategies, including supporting mitochondrial health with coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10), glutathione, and N-acetylcysteine (NAC); the role of low-dose naltrexone (LDN); optimizing iron and vitamin C status; when antiviral medications may be appropriate; intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG); and glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists. Finally, they explain why gradually increasing muscle mass and strength may have a greater long-term impact than any single supplement and share practical strategies for supporting recovery and strengthening your regimen at the first sign of illness. Whether you're living with EDS, HSD, Long COVID, POTS, MCAS, ME/CFS, Lyme disease, or another post-infectious condition, this episode offers practical, science-based insights into why these conditions overlap and what you can do to support healing. Takeaways: • Can a virus, Lyme disease, or another infection permanently change your health? Learn why post-infectious syndromes have been documented for more than a century and how infections can trigger chronic illness through immune dysregulation and autoimmunity. • Why are people with Ehlers-Danlos syndromes (EDS) and hypermobility spectrum disorders (HSD) so much more likely to develop Long COVID? Discover the research linking hypermobility, POTS, mast cell activation syndrome (MCAS), and prolonged recovery after infection. • What do Long COVID, Lyme disease, ME/CFS, POTS, and other post-infectious conditions have in common? Explore the shared biology of immune dysfunction, autonomic and vagus nerve dysfunction, and mitochondrial dysfunction that may explain multisystem symptoms. • Which treatments actually help? Hear the evidence behind coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10), glutathione, N-acetylcysteine (NAC), low-dose naltrexone (LDN), iron and vitamin C, antiviral medications, intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG), and glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists. • Could building muscle be one of the most powerful treatments for chronic illness? Learn why increasing muscle mass and strength may have a greater long-term impact than any single supplement, plus Dr. Stephens' practical strategy for boosting your regimen at the first sign of infection. Go http://www.AquaTru.com now for 20% off (your purifier) using promo code BENDY. Want to learn more about the UVA EDS Center? For Appointments and Questions: RUVAEDSCenter@uvahealth.org UVA EDS: https://www.uvahealth.com/healthy-practice/advancing-care-through-ehlers-danlos-clinic UVA EDS FAQ: https://www.uvahealth.com/support/eds/faq UVA Pediatric Integrative Medicine: https://childrens.uvahealth.com/specialties/integrative-health Want more Dr. Linda Bluestein, MD? Website: https://www.hypermobilitymd.com/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@bendybodiespodcast Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/hypermobilitymd/⁠⁠⁠⁠ Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/BendyBodiesPodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠ X: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://twitter.com/BluesteinLinda⁠⁠⁠⁠ LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/hypermobilitymd/⁠⁠⁠⁠ Newsletter: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://hypermobilitymd.substack.com/ Shop my Amazon store ⁠⁠⁠ https://www.amazon.com/shop/hypermobilitymd Dr. Bluestein's Recommended Herbs, Supplements and Care Necessities: https://us.fullscript.com/welcome/hypermobilitymd/store-start 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!⁠⁠ Learn more about Human Content at ⁠⁠⁠http://www\.human-content\.com⁠⁠⁠ Podcast Advertising/Business Inquiries: ⁠⁠⁠sales@human-content.com⁠⁠⁠ Part of the Human Content Podcast Network FTC: This video is not sponsored. Links are commissionable, meaning I may earn commission from purchases made through links Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

  5. Jul 9

    What Most Doctors Never Explain About EDS | Office Hours (Ep 204)

    If you could listen to just one conversation about Ehlers-Danlos syndromes (EDS), hypermobility spectrum disorders (HSD), postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS), and mast cell activation syndrome (MCAS), what would you need to know? In this listener Q&A episode, producer Aron Korney puts host Dr. Linda Bluestein, the Hypermobility MD, in the hot seat to answer the questions patients ask most about hypermobility, connective tissue disorders, genetic testing, medications, and managing complex chronic illness. Dr. Bluestein explains why EDS, HSD, POTS, and MCAS are whole-body conditions rather than isolated joint disorders, and how connective tissue affects nearly every organ system. She shares why "less is more," why small, consistent improvements create meaningful long-term progress, and how the placebo and nocebo effects can influence healing. The conversation also covers the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) black box warning for fluoroquinolone antibiotics, including ciprofloxacin, levofloxacin, and moxifloxacin, explaining why people with connective tissue disorders should discuss safer alternatives with their healthcare providers when appropriate. Dr. Bluestein then tackles one of the most confusing topics in EDS: genetic testing. She explains why a negative genetic test does not rule out every rare subtype of EDS, how variants of uncertain significance (VUS) and direct-to-consumer genetic reports can be misleading, and why clinical evaluation remains essential, especially when vascular EDS is suspected. Finally, she discusses how mast cell activation syndrome (MCAS) can amplify pain, migraines, gastrointestinal symptoms, dysautonomia, and other multisystem symptoms, how to obtain accurate laboratory testing, and why she casts a wider diagnostic net when evaluating complex patients. The episode concludes with a simple hypermobility hack that uses vagus nerve activation to help calm a constant fight-or-flight response. Whether you're newly diagnosed with EDS or HSD, wondering if you have POTS or MCAS, trying to understand genetic testing, or looking for practical strategies to improve your health, this episode delivers the essential concepts every patient should know. Takeaways: • Think EDS only affects your joints? Discover why Ehlers-Danlos syndromes (EDS), hypermobility spectrum disorders (HSD), POTS, and mast cell activation syndrome (MCAS) are whole-body conditions that can affect nearly every organ system. • Could doing less actually help you feel better? Learn why "less is more," how stacking small wins leads to meaningful progress, and how the placebo and nocebo effects can influence your symptoms and recovery. • Are antibiotics like ciprofloxacin safe if you have EDS or another connective tissue disorder? Understand the FDA black box warning on fluoroquinolones, the risks of tendon rupture, nerve injury, and aortic complications, and when it's worth asking about alternatives. • Can a negative genetic test still mean you have a rare type of EDS? Learn why clinical features, family history, and red flags often matter as much as laboratory results, especially when vascular EDS is a possibility. • Could mast cell activation syndrome be making your symptoms worse? Discover how MCAS can amplify pain, migraines, gastrointestinal symptoms, and dysautonomia, why testing is often misunderstood, and the biggest mistakes patients should avoid. Go http://www.AquaTru.com now for 20% off (your purifier) using promo code BENDY. Head to http://www.cozyearth.com and use my code BENDY for an exclusive 20% off. Want more Dr. Linda Bluestein, MD? Website: https://www.hypermobilitymd.com/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@bendybodiespodcast Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/hypermobilitymd/⁠⁠⁠⁠ Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/BendyBodiesPodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠ X: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://twitter.com/BluesteinLinda⁠⁠⁠⁠ LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/hypermobilitymd/⁠⁠⁠⁠ Newsletter: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://hypermobilitymd.substack.com/ Shop my Amazon store ⁠⁠⁠ https://www.amazon.com/shop/hypermobilitymd Dr. Bluestein's Recommended Herbs, Supplements and Care Necessities: https://us.fullscript.com/welcome/hypermobilitymd/store-start Want to learn more about the UVA EDS Center? For Appointments and Questions: RUVAEDSCenter@uvahealth.org UVA EDS: https://www.uvahealth.com/healthy-practice/advancing-care-through-ehlers-danlos-clinic UVA EDS FAQ: https://www.uvahealth.com/support/eds/faq UVA Pediatric Integrative Medicine: https://childrens.uvahealth.com/specialties/integrative-health 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!⁠⁠ Learn more about Human Content at ⁠⁠⁠http://www\.human-content\.com⁠⁠⁠ Podcast Advertising/Business Inquiries: ⁠⁠⁠sales@human-content.com⁠⁠⁠ Part of the Human Content Podcast Network FTC: This video is not sponsored. Links are commissionable, meaning I may earn commission from purchases made through links Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

  6. Jul 2

    Why Small Wins Matter More Than Miracle Cures in EDS and HSD: The MENS-PMMS Method™ with Dr. Dacre Knight (Ep 203)

    What does it really take to build an effective treatment plan for a condition that touches every system in the body, when there is no single magic pill? In this episode, host Dr. Linda Bluestein, the Hypermobility MD, is joined by recurring co-host Dr. Dacre Knight, Medical Director of the UVA Health EDS and Hypermobility Disorders Center, to complete their series on the MENS-PMMS Method™, Dr. Bluestein's comprehensive treatment framework for hypermobility disorders. Together, they cover the final four components of the MENS-PMMS Method™: psychosocial factors, modalities, medications, and supplements. The conversation centers on a recurring theme: meaningful improvement rarely comes from one breakthrough, but from stacking many small wins across every domain. They explore the physiologic mind-body connection and why validation is one of the most underrated and accessible interventions, alongside nervous system regulation approaches like CBT, DBT, EAET, EMDR, and Dr. Beth Darnall's Empowered Relief program. On modalities, they discuss heat, massage, acupuncture, dry needling, TENS units, bracing, and the often-overlooked power of diaphragmatic breathing, framed by Dr. Pradeep Chopra's "10% rule." The medication discussion covers a start-low-go-slow philosophy, medication sensitivities and pharmacogenomics, the importance of deprescribing to avoid polypharmacy, and options for POTS and mast cell activation. They close with a candid look at supplements, true deficiencies like scurvy and low vitamin D, the marketing traps to watch for, and a reminder to measure progress by function and quality of life rather than chasing a cure. Takeaways: • The MENS-PMMS Method™ emphasizes a whole-person approach, recognizing that meaningful improvement in EDS and HSD comes from addressing multiple domains rather than relying on a single treatment. • Lasting progress is often the result of accumulating many small gains across different interventions, an approach reflected in Dr. Pradeep Chopra's "10% rule." • Validation is not just compassionate care—it is a powerful therapeutic tool that can reduce distress, improve engagement, and support nervous system regulation. • The connection between physical symptoms and emotional well-being is physiologic, underscoring the importance of addressing both body and mind in treatment planning. • When introducing new therapies, changing one variable at a time can help patients and clinicians better identify what is helping, what is not, and what may be causing side effects. • Medication management should balance potential benefits with the risks of sensitivities, side effects, and polypharmacy, making deprescribing an important part of high-quality care. • Supplements are most valuable when they address a documented deficiency or specific clinical need rather than being used as a substitute for a comprehensive treatment plan. • Patients should be cautious of products or programs that promise cures, quick fixes, or dramatic results for complex chronic conditions. • Functional improvement, participation in meaningful activities, and quality of life are often better measures of success than symptom elimination alone. • The most effective treatment plans are individualized, flexible, and designed to evolve as a patient's needs, goals, and circumstances change. Go AquaTru.com now for 20% off (your purifier) using promo code BENDY. Want to learn more about the UVA EDS Center? For Appointments and Questions: RUVAEDSCenter@uvahealth.org UVA EDS: https://www.uvahealth.com/healthy-practice/advancing-care-through-ehlers-danlos-clinic UVA EDS FAQ: https://www.uvahealth.com/support/eds/faq UVA Pediatric Integrative Medicine: https://childrens.uvahealth.com/specialties/integrative-health Want more Dr. Linda Bluestein, MD? Website: https://www.hypermobilitymd.com/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@bendybodiespodcast Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/hypermobilitymd/⁠⁠⁠⁠ Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/BendyBodiesPodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠ X: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://twitter.com/BluesteinLinda⁠⁠⁠⁠ LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/hypermobilitymd/⁠⁠⁠⁠ Newsletter: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://hypermobilitymd.substack.com/ Shop my Amazon store ⁠⁠⁠ https://www.amazon.com/shop/hypermobilitymd Dr. Bluestein's Recommended Herbs, Supplements and Care Necessities: https://us.fullscript.com/welcome/hypermobilitymd/store-start 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!⁠⁠ Learn more about Human Content at ⁠⁠⁠http://www\.human-content\.com⁠⁠⁠ Podcast Advertising/Business Inquiries: ⁠⁠⁠sales@human-content.com⁠⁠⁠ Part of the Human Content Podcast Network FTC: This video is not sponsored. Links are commissionable, meaning I may earn commission from purchases made through links Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

  7. Jun 25

    EDS Information Overload: How to Know What to Trust | Ep. 202

    Too many diagnoses. Too many opinions. Too many tabs open. Not enough clarity. If you've ever felt overwhelmed trying to navigate Ehlers-Danlos syndromes (EDS), Hypermobility Spectrum Disorder (HSD), POTS, MCAS, chronic pain, or other complex health issues, you're not alone. In this episode of Bendy Bodies with the Hypermobility MD, Dr. Linda Bluestein is joined by physician assistant Rebecca Gluck, PA-C, who brings specialized genetics experience from working alongside Dr. Clair Francomano and serves on the Ehlers-Danlos Society's Medical and Scientific Advisory Board and Road to 2026 Research Committee. Together, they discuss how patients and families can move from information overload to a clearer, more practical plan. They explore how to evaluate online communities, AI tools, direct-to-consumer genetic testing, and conflicting medical opinions without becoming even more overwhelmed. Rebecca and Dr. Bluestein explain why diagnosis is often the beginning, not the end, of the journey, and why there is no single "EDS expert" who can solve every problem in one visit. They also walk through how to prioritize symptoms, identify the most functionally limiting issues, avoid unnecessary "whack-a-mole" interventions, and build a collaborative care team. This conversation is for anyone who has too many diagnoses, too many opinions, too many tabs open, and no clear next step. If you are trying to make sense of EDS, HSD, hypermobility, mast cell activation, POTS, chronic pain, genetic testing, AI-generated health information, or proposed procedures, this episode offers practical guidance to help you pause, sort through the noise, and move forward with more clarity. Takeaways: • Information overload is real, especially for people with EDS, HSD, POTS, MCAS, chronic pain, and complex multisystem symptoms. • More information does not always mean more clarity. The key is learning what applies to you, right now. • AI tools and direct-to-consumer genetic testing can help organize questions, but they are not diagnostic and can make uncertain findings sound more certain than they are. • A diagnosis can provide validation and shared language, but it is usually the start of building a plan, not the finish line. • Hypermobile EDS (hEDS) and HSD currently do not have a confirmatory genetic test. • No single clinician can be the expert in everything. Progress often comes from a collaborative care team and a clinician willing to listen, learn, and help prioritize. • When multiple diagnoses and procedures are on the table, focusing on the most functionally limiting symptoms can help prevent unnecessary or poorly timed interventions. • Addressing underlying contributors such as mast cell activation, dysautonomia, sleep, nutrition, pain, and deconditioning may sometimes reduce the need for more invasive steps. • The goal is not to chase every possible diagnosis at once. The goal is to identify the next best step. Go to AirDoctorPro.com and use promo code BENDY_ to get UP TO $300 off today! Want more Dr. Linda Bluestein, MD? Website: https://www.hypermobilitymd.com/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@bendybodiespodcast Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/hypermobilitymd/⁠⁠⁠⁠ Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/BendyBodiesPodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠ X: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://twitter.com/BluesteinLinda⁠⁠⁠⁠ LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/hypermobilitymd/⁠⁠⁠⁠ Newsletter: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://hypermobilitymd.substack.com/ Shop my Amazon store ⁠⁠⁠ https://www.amazon.com/shop/hypermobilitymd Dr. Bluestein's Recommended Herbs, Supplements and Care Necessities: https://us.fullscript.com/welcome/hypermobilitymd/store-start Want to learn more about the UVA EDS Center? For Appointments and Questions: RUVAEDSCenter@uvahealth.org UVA EDS: https://www.uvahealth.com/healthy-practice/advancing-care-through-ehlers-danlos-clinic UVA EDS FAQ: https://www.uvahealth.com/support/eds/faq UVA Pediatric Integrative Medicine: https://childrens.uvahealth.com/specialties/integrative-health 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!⁠⁠ Learn more about Human Content at ⁠⁠⁠http://www\.human-content\.com⁠⁠⁠ Podcast Advertising/Business Inquiries: ⁠⁠⁠sales@human-content.com⁠⁠⁠ Part of the Human Content Podcast Network FTC: This video is not sponsored. Links are commissionable, meaning I may earn commission from purchases made through links Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

  8. Jun 18

    Physical Therapy for EDS: Why It Fails and How to Make It Work | Ep. 201

    "Exercise is good for EDS." So why do so many hypermobile people get worse when they try it? In this episode of Bendy Bodies with the Hypermobility MD, Dr. Linda Bluestein is joined by co-host Dr. Dacre Knight, Medical Director of the UVA Health EDS and Hypermobility Disorders Center, and physical therapist Dr. Morgan Groover to discuss one of the most misunderstood aspects of hypermobility care: how to make physical therapy and exercise work for a hypermobile body. Many people with Ehlers-Danlos syndromes (EDS), Hypermobility Spectrum Disorders (HSD), chronic pain, POTS, and related conditions have been told to exercise more, only to experience increased pain, injury, or setbacks. Others have been told to avoid activity altogether. In this conversation, Dr. Groover explains why both approaches can miss the mark. Together, they explore how hypermobile joints, muscles, tendons, and connective tissues respond to load, why individualized physical therapy is essential, and how the right amount of strengthening can improve joint stability, function, and quality of life. Dr. Groover shares practical strategies for determining an appropriate starting point, progressing safely, interpreting pain and soreness, and avoiding the common cycle of overdoing it and crashing. They also discuss the powerful role language plays in rehabilitation, how fear of movement can contribute to disability, and why hypermobile patients can often continue participating in activities they love, including running, dancing, yoga, and sports, with the right support and guidance. Whether you're living with EDS, HSD, generalized joint hypermobility, chronic pain, or you're a clinician looking to better support hypermobile patients, this episode offers practical, evidence-informed insights that can help change the way you think about movement and rehabilitation. Takeaways: • Why physical therapy often fails hypermobile patients and what successful EDS-informed rehabilitation looks like • The difference between productive soreness and pain that signals excessive loading • How muscles and tendons adapt to exercise and support joint stability in hypermobility • Why both overloading and underloading can contribute to worsening symptoms • How to safely return to exercise, sports, dance, yoga, and other meaningful activities • Why language matters when discussing joint instability, weakness, and pain • How fear of movement can contribute to deconditioning and disability • Practical strategies for building strength, resilience, and confidence in a hypermobile body Find the episode transcript here. Go to AirDoctorPro.com and use promo code BENDY_ to get UP TO $300 off today! Want more Morgan Groover? Instagram: @morgan.groover.dpt Website: https://www.ehlers-danlos.com/directory/morgan-groover/ Want to learn more about the UVA EDS Center? For Appointments and Questions: RUVAEDSCenter@uvahealth.org UVA EDS: https://www.uvahealth.com/healthy-practice/advancing-care-through-ehlers-danlos-clinic UVA EDS FAQ: https://www.uvahealth.com/support/eds/faq UVA Pediatric Integrative Medicine: https://childrens.uvahealth.com/specialties/integrative-health Want more Dr. Linda Bluestein, MD? Website: https://www.hypermobilitymd.com/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@bendybodiespodcast Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/hypermobilitymd/⁠⁠⁠⁠ Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/BendyBodiesPodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠ X: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://twitter.com/BluesteinLinda⁠⁠⁠⁠ LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/hypermobilitymd/⁠⁠⁠⁠ Newsletter: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://hypermobilitymd.substack.com/ Shop my Amazon store ⁠⁠⁠ https://www.amazon.com/shop/hypermobilitymd Dr. Bluestein's Recommended Herbs, Supplements and Care Necessities: https://us.fullscript.com/welcome/hypermobilitymd/store-start Want to learn more about the UVA EDS Center? For Appointments and Questions: RUVAEDSCenter@uvahealth.org UVA EDS: https://www.uvahealth.com/healthy-practice/advancing-care-through-ehlers-danlos-clinic UVA EDS FAQ: https://www.uvahealth.com/support/eds/faq UVA Pediatric Integrative Medicine: https://childrens.uvahealth.com/specialties/integrative-health 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!⁠⁠ Learn more about Human Content at ⁠⁠⁠http://www\.human-content\.com⁠⁠⁠ Podcast Advertising/Business Inquiries: ⁠⁠⁠sales@human-content.com⁠⁠⁠ Part of the Human Content Podcast Network FTC: This video is not sponsored. Links are commissionable, meaning I may earn commission from purchases made through links Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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Whether you’re bendy with all the benefits or hurting in all the wrong places, you’ve come to the right place for all things hypermobility. Connective tissue disorders like Ehlers-Danlos Syndromes (EDS) are often dismissed or overlooked by healthcare providers as a cause of chronic pain. But if you or someone you care about struggles with the life-altering symptoms of hypermobility, you should know YOU ARE NOT ALONE! At the Bendy Bodies Podcast, we understand. Each week, join Dr. Linda Bluestein (The Hypermobility MD) as she pulls back the curtain on how to prevent injury and unnecessary suffering in “double-jointed” individuals seeking a more comfortable life in their unique, complex “bendy bodies.” When you tune in, you’re engaging in more than a podcast. Both on-air and online, you’re joining a supportive community where patients, caregivers, and healthcare professionals trade insights, life hacks, and inspiring stories to embrace our Bendy Bodies journey together!

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