We Can Help Manage Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome
Living with Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (EDS) can be immensely challenging. This genetic condition causes symptoms throughout the body, with joint pain and dislocations some of the most common. You also have to be aware of the various complications that can arise.
EDS has no cure, but you can manage your condition in several ways to ensure a healthy, active lifestyle. The team at Empower Physical Therapy will work closely with you to develop personalized treatment plans to manage symptoms and prevent injuries and other complications.
To learn more about Ehlers-Danlos syndrome and how you can take control of your condition, contact our Anchorage, Wasilla or Palmer, AK clinic today!
Living with EDS: Symptoms and Potential Complications
Ehlers-Danlos syndrome affects your body’s connective tissue, including your bones and joint cartilage. It prevents your body from correctly producing collagen, one of the proteins that make up your body’s connective tissue. Symptoms can manifest in several different ways:
- Hypermobile Joints: This is one of the more well-known symptoms of EDS. Your joints are extremely flexible to the point that they may feel loose or unstable. This sets you up for a higher risk of joint injuries and developing early-onset arthritis.
- “Stretchy” Skin: EDS can cause your skin to become thin and stretchy, making it harder for your skin to heal properly. For example, your body may take longer to heal after a minor cut.
- Chronic Pain: People with EDS often struggle with chronic (long-term) pain in their joints, muscles, and myofascia, a flexible tissue surrounding the joints.
- Fatigue: EDS can cause persistent feelings of fatigue and can make it difficult to concentrate.
Because of the many ways Ehlers-Danlos syndrome affects the body, there are several complications of the condition that you want to be aware of, including the following:
- Joint dislocations
- Decreased strength and fitness due to a lower tolerance for strenuous exercise
- Issues with balance and coordination, including a higher risk of falling
- Difficulties with both fine and gross motor development
- Scoliosis
- Bowed or curved limbs
- Teeth and gum issues
Managing EDS with Physical Therapy
Physical therapy is essential in managing EDS symptoms alongside other healthcare professionals. Our physical therapists can help manage pain, reduce your risk of injury, and build strength and fitness.
We’ll work with you to develop a customized treatment plan that pulls from several different treatment options, including the following:
- Manual Therapy: These hands-on treatments offer drug-free alternatives to managing chronic. One particularly effective technique for people with EDS is myofascial release, a gentle technique that involves working out restrictions in the myofascia.
- Therapeutic Exercise: While exercising can be challenging for people with EDS, it’s crucial in managing your symptoms. We’ll develop a personalized program that suits your needs and abilities and will focus on two main areas:
- Aerobic exercise to promote joint stability and improve muscle tone
- Strength training to help stabilize and protect your joints
- Balance Training: If EDS makes you feel unstable, we’ll work to improve your overall balance, coordination, and proprioception (sense of yourself in space). These exercises will challenge your balance, so you will gradually see improvements over time.
- Assistive Devices: You may benefit from various adaptive devices that make movement easier. These could include braces or orthoses to protect and stabilize your joints or mobility devices such as a walker or cane. We’ll help you find the right ones for your needs and train you in their use.
We aim to improve your strength, confidence, and overall mobility while lowering (or even eliminating!) your pain symptoms. Call our clinic Empower Physical Therapy today for your first appointment.
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