EDS

Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (EDS) is a rare, inherited genetic disorder that affects connective tissue and collagen production. EDS affects the body's connective tissue, which supports the skin, bones, blood vessels, and other organs and tissues. Some symptoms of EDS include loose joints, sometimes called "double-jointedness", stretchy skin that bruises easily, skin that's translucent and velvety.

Common complications from EDS that are treated with physical and occupational therapy include, joint dislocation, chronic pain, and fatigue.

Therapy Treatment

Treatments include drugs, physical therapy, and sometimes surgery. A medical professional can diagnose EDS with lab tests.

Once diagnosed with EDS, depending on your symptoms, a Physical or Occupational Therapist can help you to manage your symptoms and improve your quality of life.

Physical and Occupational Therapy can help people with Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (EDS) in many ways, including:

Pain management -

 Therapists can help manage chronic pain through exercises and pain management techniques.

Improved joint stability -

 Therapists can help strengthen muscles around joints, which can reduce the frequency of dislocations.

Better posture -

 OTs and PTs can help improve posture and teach patients how to perform daily tasks in less painful ways.

Education -

 Education can help patients understand their condition and learn how to manage symptoms independently.

Pelvic floor strengthening -

 A pelvic floor specialist can help with pelvic floor issues like pain, incontinence, and constipation.

Jaw care -

 A TMD specialist can help with temporomandibular disorders (TMDs) like jaw popping, clicking, and pain.

Aerobic exercise -

 A Physical or Occupational Therapist can help with fatigue by building muscle strength and improving endurance. However, you should work with a PT to determine the safest exercises for you.

Other techniques that our therapists may use include, gentle manual therapy like massage, joint mobilizations, taping, joint compression garments, and braces, and hydrotherapy.