Managing Ehlers-Danlos

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PT Elan Schneider on Neuroplasticity and New Approaches to Treat Chronic Pain

Widespread chronic pain is one of the main symptoms for people with any type of Ehlers-Danlos syndrome and can be debilitating. At the same time, many common treatment options, particularly with pain medication, lead to side effects. But what if we could reduce our pain without any negative consequences? Chronic Pain Partners’ Editor-in-Chief Karina Sturm […]

A blurred image of a person running at the beach.

Unaccommodating Accommodations

I want to be okay. Some days I am. But some days, it feels like my words slosh about disjointed. My eyelids are heavy shades that won’t stay open. Pain suffuses every joint in my body, and the throbbing in my head makes it impossible to tolerate light or noise. Day-to-day is unpredictable, sometimes moment […]

Two boys sitting in the grass reading a book.

Book Review: The Bendy Twisty Zebra by Kimby Maxson

Move over, Dr. Seuss! Make room on children’s bookshelves for The Bendy Twisty Zebra written by Kimby Maxson and illustration by Ron Houchens. With colorful characters, catchy rhymes, and a heart-felt message, The Bendy Twisty Zebra brings to mind some of Dr. Seuss’s famous books. While children of all ages (even grown-up children!) can enjoy […]

An illustration of several surgeons with masks and hats.

Surgery Prep: Meeting Your EDS Hospital Stay Needs

How to be prepared & stay safe when having a hospital stay with Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (EDS) This article will give an overview of ways you can prepare for a hospital stay when you have EDS, as well as tips on surgical prep and your own patient advocacy. People with Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (EDS) often need surgery […]

An illustration of a white suitcase with a Red Cross.

Basic Emergency Care Planning for EDS Patients

Creating an emergency plan document is essential for patients with Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (EDS) and its many comorbidities, especially allergic or mast cell activation reactions. Take time to prepare in advance for an emergency before you get hit by a crisis by following these step-by-step instructions for your own safety and well-being. Create a written plan […]

Dr. Lilian Holm on EDS & Physical Therapy. Dr. Lilian Holm, a woman with shoulder-long brown hair and bangs, is sitting in her office, which is a large room with a turquoise wall behind her and an open fireplace. She sits on a beige chair and wears a black shirt and a delicate golden necklace. In the background is a treatment bench in the foreground two red flowers.

EDSed Episode 2: Dr. Lilian Holm on Physical Therapy & EDS

EDSed is our new series of full-length interviews with international EDS experts. These educational interview series with journalistic (news) quality is complementary to our webinar recordings and another free resource we provide for our community. All films are produced by journalist and We Are Visible filmmaker Karina Sturm and sponsored by Chronic Pain Partners. You can […]

An image of a beach at sunset in the background with a quote int he foreground: Be kind and loving to yourself. Wrap yourself in a blanket of love. You deserve it!

Wrap Yourself in a Blanket of Love: How to Foster Self-Compassion

Self-compassion (and self-care) are sometimes misunderstood as selfish, self-cherishing, or self-indulgent, but this couldn’t be further from the truth, especially when you live with chronic illness or chronic pain such as Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (EDS). Self-compassion is the act of offering ourselves the same care and compassion we would give to others. It is simply the […]

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Surviving the Rollercoaster of EDS and Chronic Fatigue: Tips and Tricks for Managing the Boom-and-Bust Cycle

When you’re doing okay, it can feel like a high, a return to normalcy even. It is hard to figure out the level of functioning that is going to allow you to get things done without making your symptoms send you into another flare. It’s a tiny little fine line between doing too much and […]