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: [email protected]

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: [email protected]

UVA EDS: https://www.uvahealth.com/healthy-practice/advancing-care-through-ehlers-dan