Calling all Hyper-mobile and flexible clients!

May is Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome Awareness month, SPW will be actively promoting social media content from peer sources all month long on our FB and IG feeds.

To learn more follow us here

Many of our clients have been diagnosed, are in the process of diagnosis or show clear signs of without any awareness of EDS.

What is EDS and HEDS?

The Mayo clinic defines EDS as:

A group of illnesses passed from parent to child, known as inherited, that affect the skin, joints and blood vessels.

This group of inherited illnesses affects the tissue that supports and protects other tissues and organs in the body, also known as connective tissue. Ehlers-Danlos syndrome mainly affects the skin, joints and blood vessel walls.

Joints might be too loose and able to move too far. Skin might be stretchy and might not heal well after injury.

Treatment helps manage symptoms and prevent other issues Ehlers-Danlos syndrome might cause. Options include medicines, physical therapy and sometimes surgery.

While there are no cures for EDS and HEDS knowing can help you choose how to modify activities  preventing injuries and flare ups.

Modifying the types of workouts as well as choosing less invasive massage techniques can make a big difference in your discomfort levels and post workout recovery.

Deep tissue is often what clients experiencing pain think they “need”.

Deep tissue is known for intensive pressure, aggressive stripping strokes, graston technique cross fiber friction and penetrating trigger point holds, these techniques when paired with vigorous stretching can destabilize or even dislocate hyper mobile joints leading to further injury.

Having a diagnosis of EDS or HEDS doesn’t mean  stretching, exercise and great quality massage and bodywork are off the table.

In this instance less intensity = greater benefit for the client.

Massage and bodywork sessions like swedish, therapueutic, myofascial release and thai reflexology offered at SPW  focus on increasing circulation,  promote gentle fascial unwinding, gentle supportive stretches and muscle activation techniques provide tension relief, structural alignment and recovery from fitness activity.

Working with a practitioner who understands and actively researches approaches to these conditions is key.

Jennifer began working with connective tissue disordered clients during clinical supervision under Dr. Peter Stern LaC in 2003.  Her love for learning and desire to understand the body lead Jennifer down research rabbit holes seeking answers and options for relief for her clients.

Whenever possible Jennifer and Jes work together to strategize for our clients highest good often working in tandem during the same session.