Show Notes
Connective tissue or fascia plays a major role in the differences between bendy people and their non-bendy counterparts. But what even is fascia and why does it affect so many systems of the body? In this episode, Libby & Dr. Tina Wang discuss her fascinating research into the qualities of fascial tissue in people with hypermobility syndromes. She provides insights into why bendy people’s fascial tissue is different from “standard issue” fascia, how this impacts force transfer and structural support, and finally, why bendy people benefit so much from manual therapy techniques.
The important structural and sensory roles fascia plays in the body Why the term 'fascia' is difficult to define Why bendy people display decreased force output and how that relates to fascia differences Why bendy people’s fascial layers don’t glide as well as standard issue fascia The “diagnostic odyssey” that so many bendy people experience Systemic barriers to high quality medical care for people with HSD/hEDS How movement practices to help our fascia make positive adaptations and function better Why manual therapy techniques such as dry needling and myofascial release are often so effective for people with HSD/hEDS. Reasons to be hopeful about all the patient experts and practitioners working to improve quality of care.
More from Zebra Talks: Living Your Best Bendy Life
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.