Zebra Talks: Living Your Best Bendy Life

Dr Libby Hinsley

Dr Libby Hinsley and guests help people with hypermobility live their best bendy lives.

  1. Nutrition Foundations for Hypermobility with Jennifer Parkinson

    Jun 8

    Nutrition Foundations for Hypermobility with Jennifer Parkinson

    Host Dr. Libby Hinsley welcomes Jennifer Parkinson, a certified functional nutrition practitioner and founder of EDS Nutritionist, who supports people with Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome, MCAS, and POTS.   Jennifer shares her long journey from early joint pain, repeated shoulder surgeries, gut and gynecologic surgeries, dizziness and brain fog, and eventual EDS diagnosis after years of dismissal, to pursuing functional nutrition training. She explains differences among nutrition professionals, emphasizing individualized, root-cause approaches rather than one-size-fits-all diets.   Key themes include stabilizing blood sugar, assessing mineral patterns, histamine “bucket” concepts, and iron dysregulation. She also highlights how mineral balance can impact pain, muscle-building, and subluxations alongside physical therapy.   00:00 Welcome to Zebra Talks 00:35 Meet Jennifer Parkinson 01:50 Early Symptoms and Surgeries 03:50 Finally Naming EDS 06:09 Finding Functional Nutrition 09:35 Credentials and Training Paths 11:10 Nutrition Is Individual 12:48 Minerals Explained 15:04 Foundations Beyond Food 16:22 Sensitive Bodies and Normal Labs 17:55 Iron and Next Steps 18:00 Iron Testing Pitfalls 19:07 Iron Overload Clues 20:16 Liver Link to Iron 22:33 Liver Support Basics 23:36 Castor Oil Packs 24:46 Minerals and Blood Sugar 27:30 Protein and Meal Timing 29:22 Signs of Dysregulated Glucose 30:20 Minerals for Joint Stability 33:46 Whole Body Approach 34:17 Where to Find Jennifer 34:48 Final Wrap Up

    35 min

  2. Jun 1

    Scoliosis and Hypermobility: Symptoms, Treatment, and Moving Without Fear with Dr. Laura Glazebrook

    Host Dr. Libby Hinsley welcomes physical therapist Dr. Laura Glazebrook to discuss scoliosis, especially its overlap with hypermobility. Laura shares her own history of rapidly progressing scoliosis, undergoing a spinal fusion at age 11, and later realizing she likely falls on the hypermobility spectrum.   They review scoliosis prevalence in the general population, current thinking on adolescent development, and why Cobb angle doesn’t reliably predict pain. Glazebrook describes typical signs and symptoms and outlines scoliosis-specific exercise approaches like the Schroth method using breath, pressure management, and progressive stabilization. They discuss surgical thresholds (often >46°), evolving views on quality of life at higher angles, and counter fear-based messaging by emphasizing safe, individualized movement and strength.    00:00 Welcome to Zebra Talks 00:35 Meet Dr. Laura Glazebrook 02:04 Laura’s Scoliosis Story 04:12 Fusion Surgery Aftermath 04:56 How Common Is Scoliosis 06:14 Why Scoliosis Develops 07:58 Degrees vs Symptoms 09:46 Common Signs and Clues 12:02 Schroth Method Basics 14:48 What Improves With Therapy 16:17 When Surgery Is Considered 19:05 Fusion and Tethering Options 19:52 Hypermobility Overlap Patterns 22:05 Movement Fear and Confidence 25:08 Activity Myths Debunked 27:19 Where to Find Dr. Glazebrook 28:11 Final Thanks and Goodbye

    29 min

  3. May 25

    Bendy Menopause: Impacts of Hypermobility on Menopause with Vanessa Weiland

    Dr. Libby Hinsley welcomes menopause specialist and nurse practitioner Vanessa Weiland, founder of Phases Clinic and creator of Bendy Menopause, who also has hypermobile EDS and MCAS.   Their conversation covers why hypermobility symptoms can shift with hormonal changes, how perimenopause is driven by fluctuating ovarian hormones, and why blood tests are often unhelpful in perimenopause except in specific situations. They discuss HRT in perimenopause, contraception considerations, benefits and risks of modern hormone therapy (including heart and bone health), and the possible role of testosterone. Vanessa emphasizes the importance of individualized symptom-based care, and notes nuances like MCAS sensitivity and progesterone intolerance.   00:00 Welcome to Zebra Talks 00:35 Meet Vanessa Weiland 01:16 Her Menopause Journey 03:53 Discovering hEDS 05:00 Hypermobility Meets Menopause 07:25 Why Symptoms Shift 10:35 Defining Perimenopause 12:48 Do Hormone Tests Help 14:26 HRT in Perimenopause 15:56 Tracking and Advocacy Tips 18:23 HRT Risks and Benefits 21:38 Bones and Brain Fog 24:58 Testosterone Talk 28:25 Avoiding Misinformation 33:36 Progesterone Intolerance 35:15 Where to Find Vanessa 36:02 Final Thanks and Wrap Up

    36 min

  4. May 18

    Abbey Phillipson on Visibility & Advocacy for Rare Types of EDS

    Host Dr. Libby Hinsley interviews Abbey Phillipson, a classical Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (EDS) advocate and Paralympic strength and conditioning coach at the University of Michigan. Abbey shares her experience with early signs, diagnosis via genetics (COL5A1), and serious complications of Classical EDS.   She discusses why some rare EDS types may be diagnosed earlier yet still missed, de novo mutation rates, and definitions and prevalence of rare vs ultra-rare EDS types. Abbey describes founding the patient-led Collagen Advocacy Network to connect people with rare subtypes, critiques how growing EDS awareness can create misunderstanding of rare types, and proposes more nuanced naming to support individualized care amid anticipated 2026 criteria changes.   She also shares a bit about her inspiring work in adaptive sports and disability-inclusive fitness.   00:00 Welcome to Zebra Talks 00:35 Meet Abbey Phillipson 01:59 Classical EDS Diagnosis Story 04:07 Symptoms and Complications 05:55 When Rare Types Get Diagnosed 07:46 De Novo Mutations Explained 08:42 Rare vs Ultra Rare Prevalence 11:51 Building a Rare Types Group 13:21 Making Rare Real Together 14:36 Awareness Boom and Erasure 19:21 A More Nuanced Future 22:54 Renaming and Reorganizing EDS 26:34 Criteria Changes and 2026 30:58 Collagen Advocacy Network 32:08 Paralympic Coaching and Adaptive Sport 34:34 Strength Training and Joyful Movement 35:48 Final Thanks and Goodbye

    36 min

  5. May 11

    Pelvic Floor Dysfunction & Hypermobility with Dr. Amy Stein

    Host Dr. Libby Hinsley interviews pelvic floor physical therapist and author Dr. Amy Stein, founder of Beyond Basics Physical Therapy. Stein discusses the strong overlap she sees between hypermobility and pelvic floor dysfunction (estimating about 70% of her patients), including patterns of pelvic floor gripping used for stability, pelvic pain, prolapse, hernias, constipation/IBS symptoms, possible pelvic congestion, and bladder, bowel, and sexual dysfunction across all genders.   She emphasizes a multimodal approach: calming tissues, building stability gradually with isometrics and deep core work, modifying exercise, and prioritizing nervous system regulation and mindfulness. Stein also addresses perimenopause/menopause and their effects on symptoms, tissue elasticity, muscle health, and the role of hormone therapy and topical creams. She describes her Wellness By Nature CBD products and advises seeking experienced pelvic floor PTs with thorough assessment.   Highlights of this episode include:   00:00 Welcome to Zebra Talks 00:35 Meet Amy Stein 01:45 Hypermobility overlap 03:59 Amy’s bendy story 05:57 Common pelvic patterns 07:26 Multimodal treatment 09:47 Pelvic floor basics 12:07 Stability and exercise 15:35 Bowel and congestion 18:18 Perimenopause and hormones 22:48 Tissue changes and creams 24:18 CBD products explained 27:37 Lifestyle and whole body 31:27 Finding the right pelvic PT 33:40 Wrap up and resources

    36 min

  6. May 4

    Hip Dysplasia, Micro-Instability, and Hypermobility with Dr. Ginger Garner

    Host Dr. Libby Hinsley welcomes pelvic and orthopedic rehabilitation expert Dr. Ginger Garner to Zebra Talks to discuss hip pain in hypermobility syndromes, focusing on hip dysplasia, borderline dysplasia, and micro-instability, which commonly coexist with generalized joint hypermobility. Garner cites studies showing over two thirds—and up to 78% in one cohort—of patients with hip dysplasia meet hypermobility criteria, emphasizing screening beyond labral tears and FAI. She describes practical signs and stresses the value of weight-bearing x-rays, manual therapy, and self-treatment tools, and shares her background integrating yoga, public health, and lifestyle medicine.   00:00 Welcome to Zebra Talks 00:35 Meet Dr Ginger Garner 02:28 Why Hips Matter 03:07 Dysplasia and Hypermobility 05:33 What Hip Dysplasia Is 07:00 Quick Screening Clues 10:36 Why Dysplasia Gets Missed 13:17 Stuck Tight Yet Unstable 15:40 Choosing the Right Surgeon 19:01 Imaging Red Flags 20:54 Treatment Phases Overview 22:39 Imaging the Glute Med 25:24 Trauma and Pelvic Floor Findings 26:40 Manual Therapy for Relief 27:46 Imaging Breakthrough 28:36 Manual Therapy Matters 29:54 Rant on Rehab Protocols 32:14 Self Treatment Tools 36:46 Surgery vs Rehab Choices 38:35 Hormones and Systemic Drivers 40:04 Origin Story and Yoga 47:36 Red Flags and Where to Find Help 49:40 Wrap Up and Next Episode

    50 min

  7. Apr 27

    Hypermobility & Foot Pain with Kala Hildebrand

    In this episode, Dr. Libby Hinsley hosts Zebra Talks and interviews physical therapist and massage therapist Kala Hildebrand about hypermobility and feet, including common presentations of chronic foot pain in bendy bodies and why issues aren’t limited to “floppy” overpronation. Kala discusses how long-standing pain often comes with fear, limited information, and habituated strategies like constant shoe use or lifelong orthotics without an exit plan, and emphasizes reassessing current reality rather than old stories. They explore the value of gradually reintroducing sensory input and progressing slowly toward functional strength, while considering whole-chain contributors from foot to hip and pelvis.    00:00 Welcome to Zebra Talks 00:35 Meet Kala Hildebrand 02:03 Dance and Hypermobility 04:13 Common Foot Pain Patterns 05:41 Chronic Pain Stories 09:03 Barefoot Tolerance Check 11:24 Feet Freedom Myth 13:56 Libby Foot Pain Journey 15:59 Whole Body Foot Clues 18:45 Hip Mobility Meets Feet 20:43 Pain Free Loading 21:26 Motor Control Lightbulbs 22:44 Compression vs Distraction 23:02 Force Transmission Chain 24:01 Isometrics for Foot Pain 25:33 Progressive Loading Mindset 28:16 Thriving Not Striving 29:29 Plantar Fasciitis Myths 30:58 Orthotics Exit Strategy 33:28 Intrinsic Foot Strength Plan 36:35 Resources and Wrap Up

    39 min

  8. Apr 20

    Taming the Zebra: Tethered Cord and Cranio-Cervical Instability in Hypermobility with Heather Purdin

    Host Dr. Libby Hinsley welcomes physical therapist and manual therapist Heather Purdin, co-author of “Taming the Zebra,” to discuss her book and her biopsychosocial approach to treating hypermobility syndromes. The conversation continues by highlighting tethered cord syndrome, its key features, imaging considerations, conservative/manual approaches, and surgical cautions. They also discuss cranio-cervical instability versus a hypermobile neck, the role of inflammation/MCAS, stabilization strategies, and referrals, and share where to find Purdin’s resources and courses.   00:00 Welcome to Zebra Talks 00:35 Meet Heather Purdin 02:31 Becoming a Zebra Tamer 04:15 Why Write Taming the Zebra 06:52 What Volume Two Covers 09:56 Systemic Context for PT 11:36 Reader Feedback and Hope 12:29 Tethered Cord Explained 15:30 Symptoms and Screening Clues 17:28 Bladder Testing and Differentials 19:06 MCAS and Fascia Research 21:43 When to Refer and Imaging 23:46 Prone MRI Insights 24:36 Gentle Tethered Cord Relief 25:29 Alignment Triggers and Safety 27:52 CCI Versus Hypermobility 28:56 Symptoms and Muscle Retraining 32:05 Inflammation, MCAS, and Imaging 34:45 Stabilization Training Example 38:48 Posture Pelvis Ribcage Link 40:22 Neck Exercise Progressions 42:41 Mindset and Finding Providers 44:31 Resources and Wrap Up   EPISODE LINKS & RESOURCES: Taming the Zebra Good Health Physical Therapy and Wellness Follow Heather Purdin on Instagram @heather_purdinpt Follow Taming the Zebra on Instagram @tamingthezebra Follow Good Health Physical Therapy and Wellness on Instagram @goodhealthptpdx Follow Good Health Physical Therapy and Wellness on Facebook LINKS AND RESOURCES: Learn more about Dr. Libby Hinsley, How to Work with Her, or Join her Email List Follow Libby Hinsley on Instagram @libbyhinsleypt Follow Libby Hinsley on Facebook Leave a review on iTunes

    46 min
See All (45)

4.9
out of 5
30 Ratings

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Dr Libby Hinsley and guests help people with hypermobility live their best bendy lives.

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