Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS) Therapy
Specialized Physical Therapy for Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome and Hypermobility
Living with Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS) or hypermobility can be a daily struggle. Joint instability, chronic pain, frequent injuries, fatigue, digestive issues and difficulty with everyday activities can make even simple daily activities difficult. At Sol Physical Therapy, we provide specialized EDS physical therapy designed to help you improve stability, reduce pain, and move with greater confidence.
Our therapists understand that EDS requires a different approach than traditional orthopedic rehabilitation. Often EDS patients have had a very difficult time with the medical system. Getting a diagnosis and finding qualified providers can be extremely challenging and at times defeating. We focus on listening to you first to determine the correct course of care. We then tailor make a program to help you protect vulnerable joints, improve muscular support, enhance body awareness, and build strength safely without aggravating your symptoms.
Whether you’ve recently been diagnosed with Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome or have spent years searching for answers, we’re here to help you take control of your movement and improve your quality of life.
What is Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS)?
Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome is a group of inherited connective tissue disorders that affect the body’s collagen. Because collagen provides structure and support throughout the body, individuals with EDS often experience symptoms that impact their joints, muscles, skin, internal organs, and other tissues.
One of the most common forms is Hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (hEDS), which is characterized by excessive joint mobility, recurrent injuries, chronic pain, fatigue, and joint instability.
EDS can also contribute to conditions such as temporomandibular joint (TMJ) dysfunction, which may cause jaw pain, clicking, and instability.
Physical therapy is considered one of the most important components of long-term EDS management because it helps improve joint support, movement control, strength, and function while reducing the risk of injury.
Conditions and Symptoms We Treat
- Joint Hypermobility: Addressing excessive joint movement through targeted strengthening and stabilization exercises to improve control and reduce the risk of injury.
- Joint Instability and Recurrent Subluxations: Helping patients improve muscular support and joint stability to manage joints that frequently shift, partially dislocate, or feel unstable.
- Chronic Pain: Developing individualized treatment strategies to manage persistent pain in the neck, back, shoulders, hips, knees, and other areas affected by EDS.
- Frequent Sprains and Injuries: Improving strength, coordination, and movement patterns to reduce stress on vulnerable joints and help prevent recurring soft tissue injuries.
- Balance and Proprioception Deficits: Enhancing body awareness, coordination, and balance to improve movement control, reduce fall risk, and increase confidence during daily activities.
- Muscle Weakness and Fatigue: Building strength and endurance through carefully progressed exercises that account for fatigue, exercise tolerance, and the risk of symptom flare-ups.
Our Approach
- Comprehensive Evaluation: We begin with a thorough assessment of joint mobility, strength, stability, balance, movement patterns, and functional limitations to understand how EDS affects each patient’s daily life.
- Personalized Treatment Plan: Based on the evaluation, we develop an individualized treatment plan that considers the patient’s symptoms, physical abilities, activity tolerance, and personal goals.
- Joint Stabilization Training: Our therapists use targeted strengthening and stabilization exercises to improve muscular support around vulnerable joints, helping reduce excessive movement and improve overall joint control.
- Neuromuscular Re-Education: We incorporate exercises designed to improve proprioception, coordination, and body awareness, helping patients develop safer and more efficient movement patterns.
- Strength and Endurance Training: We use carefully progressed exercise programs to build muscular strength, improve endurance, and increase functional capacity while minimizing the risk of overexertion or symptom flare-ups.
- Manual Therapy: When appropriate, our therapists use gentle hands-on techniques to address muscle tension, alleviate discomfort, and improve movement without placing unnecessary stress on hypermobile joints.
- Patient Education: We provide guidance on joint protection, activity modification, energy conservation, pacing strategies, and safe exercise techniques to help patients manage symptoms and maintain long-term progress.
Why Choose Sol Physical Therapy for EDS Care?
- Specialized EDS Expertise: Our EDS specialist understands the unique challenges associated with Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome and joint hypermobility, providing knowledgeable care tailored to these complex conditions.
- Whole-Person Approach: We recognize that EDS can affect more than just the joints, and consider factors such as chronic pain, fatigue, balance, and daily function when developing treatment plans.
- Individualized Care: Because EDS affects everyone differently, we tailor each treatment program to the patient’s specific symptoms, physical abilities, goals, and response to therapy.
- Comprehensive Services: We incorporate orthopedic rehabilitation, joint stabilization, balance training, pain management, and other therapeutic techniques to address the various challenges associated with EDS.
- Supportive Environment: We understand that many individuals with EDS have faced challenges obtaining a diagnosis or finding knowledgeable care. Our approach emphasizes listening to patients, understanding their experiences, and providing a supportive environment throughout treatment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can physical therapy actually help Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome?
What type of EDS benefits from physical therapy?
Is exercise safe for people with EDS?
Yes, when appropriately prescribed and progressed carefully.
Can physical therapy help prevent joint dislocations and subluxations?
Improving muscular support, joint stability, and body awareness can help reduce their frequency.
Do I need a diagnosis of EDS to begin therapy?
Take the First Step Toward Better Stability and Function
Living with Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome doesn’t mean you have to accept constant pain, instability, or limitations. At Sol Physical Therapy, we’re committed to helping you build strength, improve confidence, and move more comfortably through everyday life.
Contact us today to schedule an evaluation and learn how specialized EDS physical therapy can help you achieve your goals.
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Learn About All of Our Specialized Therapy Services:
- Orthopedic Therapy
- Certified Hand Therapy
- Occupational Therapy
- Sports Therapy
- Pediatric Therapy
- Pelvic Floor Therapy
- Perinatal Therapy
- Post-Concussion Therapy
- Vestibular Therapy
- Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ) Therapy
- Dry Needling