WELCOME TO BENDY BODIES, WHERE YOU’LL FIND MEDICAL INSIGHTS & SCIENCE-BASED INFORMATION FOR EVERY BENDY BODY. LISTEN, LEARN, & SHARE!

Hypermobility Life Hacks Episodes

Aug. 22, 2024

Grief, Healing, and Mental Health Strategies for Chronic Illness with…

In this insightful episode of the Bendy Bodies podcast, Dr. Linda Bluestein speaks with Dr. Natasha Trujillo, a licensed sports psychologist specializing in grief, loss, and chronic illness. Dr. Trujillo discusses the complex emotional landscape of grieving when faced with chronic pain, disability,…

Listen to the Episode
Aug. 15, 2024

Group Rehabilitation for POTS with Emily Rich, OT (Ep 106)

In this episode of the Bendy Bodies podcast, Dr. Linda Bluestein, the Hypermobility MD, sits down with Emily Rich, an occupational therapist specializing in POTS (Postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome), Ehlers-Danlos syndromes, and other chronic conditions. Emily, who is also a patient with hyp…

Listen to the Episode
Aug. 8, 2024

Understanding the Brain's Role in Chronic Pain with Kaitlin Touza, Ph…

In this episode of the Bendy Bodies podcast, Dr. Linda Bluestein, the Hypermobility MD, engages in an enlightening conversation with Dr. Kaitlin Touza, a renowned pain psychologist. Dr. Touza delves into the complexities of chronic pain, explaining how the nervous system, brain processes, and psych…

Listen to the Episode
Aug. 1, 2024

Connective Tissue Disorders and Lipedema with Karen Herbst, MD (Ep 10…

In this episode of the Bendy Bodies podcast, Dr. Linda Bluestein, the Hypermobility MD, hosts an enlightening discussion with Dr. Karen Herbst, a leading expert on lipedema and other adipose connective tissue diseases. Dr. Herbst shares her extensive knowledge on the complexities of lipedema, Durkh…

Listen to the Episode
July 25, 2024

Linking Mast Cell Activation, Autoimmunity, and EDS with Kara Wada, M…

In this episode, Dr. Linda Bluestein, the Hypermobility MD, delves into the intricate connections between the immune system and hypermobility disorders with Dr. Kara Wada. A quadruple board-certified physician and Sjogren's patient, Dr. Wada shares her expertise on mast cell activation syndrome, au…

Listen to the Episode
July 18, 2024

Examining The Future of EDS Diagnosis and Care with EDS Society CEO L…

In this episode, Dr. Linda Bluestein, the Hypermobility MD, hosts a captivating conversation with Lara Bloom, President and CEO of the Ehlers-Danlos Society. Lara shares her journey in advocating for rare diseases, the progress made in Ehlers-Danlos syndromes (EDS) and hypermobility spectrum disord…

Listen to the Episode
June 6, 2024

101. Breaking the Vicious Cycle of Chronic Illness with Ashok Gupta

In this conversation, Dr. Linda Bluestein interviews Ashok Gupta about his experience breaking the vicious cycle of chronic illness when he had ME-CFS. They discuss the impact of chronic conditions, the brain's priority of s...

Listen to the Episode
May 30, 2024

Milestones and Reflections: 100 Episodes of Bendy Bodies with Linda B…

Dr. Linda Bluestein celebrates 100 episodes of Bendy Bodies discussing the most rewarding part of hosting the podcast and the challenges of podcasting. She emphasizes the importance of balancing the complexity of EDS and the ...

Listen to the Episode
May 23, 2024

99. From News Anchor to Advocate: A POTS and EDS Journey with Summer …

Summer Dashe, a former news anchor and advocate for the chronically ill, shares her POTS and EDS journey. She covers how she manages her symptoms in everyday life and the challenges of getting diagnosed with POTS (Postural O...

Listen to the Episode
May 9, 2024

97. Learning to Spot the Signs of Ehlers-Danlos Syndromes with Guest …

In this special “EDS Awareness Month” episode of the Bendy Bodies Podcast , founder Dr. Linda Bluestein and guest host Kate Colbert discuss how everyone can learn to spot the signs of Ehlers-Danlos Syndromes. Dr. Bluestein em...

Listen to the Episode
April 25, 2024

96. Coping with Dance Injuries and Career Transitions with Chelsea Pi…

In this episode, Dr. Chelsea Pierotti discusses coping with dance injuries and transitions, both from a physical and psychological perspective. She explains that the way dancers appraise their injuries and their emotional res...

Listen to the Episode
April 11, 2024

95. Pain Care Redefined: Non-Drug Therapies for Pain Relief with Heat…

Dr. Heather Tick, a renowned pain expert, discusses non-drug therapies for pain relief; applying the principles of integrative medicine for comprehensive pain care. She emphasizes the need for education and understanding of p...

Listen to the Episode
April 4, 2024

94. Support and Bracing for Hypermobile Joints with Susan Chalela, MP…

In this Bendy Bodies with the Hypermobility MD podcast, Susan Chalela, MPT discusses support and bracing for hypermobile joints. She shares how her personal and professional experience with joint hypermobility led her to dev...

Listen to the Episode
March 7, 2024

93. Unveiling Taming the Zebra: A Discussion with Physical Therapists…

This episode centers around unveiling 'Taming the Zebra', a book co-authored by physical therapists, Dr. Patty Stott and Heather Purdin.  The book aims to fill a void in understanding and provide therapists with the knowledge to effectively work with patients with hypermobility spectrum disorders (…

Listen to the Episode
Feb. 29, 2024

92. Empowering Zebra Warriors: THE Guide to Effective Physical Therap…

In this Bendy Bodies podcast episode, Dr. Lillian Holm discusses effective physical therapy for EDS and HSD and the importance of correcting function to achieve pain relief and tolerance for exercise. She explains why physical therapy may not always lead to the expected outcome, emphasizing the nee…

Listen to the Episode
Feb. 22, 2024

91. Hand Problems in EDS with Corinne McLees, OT and Hand Coach

In this episode, Dr. Linda Bluestein and Corinne McLees discuss hand problems in EDS including pain, weakness, and injuries.  This conversation covers various topics related to hand problems, including ring splints, hand exercises, avoiding strain and hyperextension, tips for traveling, challenges …

Listen to the Episode
Feb. 15, 2024

90. Decoding Brain Fog: Expert Insights with Ilene Ruhoy, MD, PhD

In this episode, Dr. Linda Bluestein interviews Dr. Ilene Ruhoy about decoding brain fog, as well as its relationship to various conditions such as mast cell activation syndrome, craniocervical instability, dysautonomia, and CSF leaks. She explains how these conditions contribute to cognitive dysfu…

Listen to the Episode
Feb. 8, 2024

89. Conquering the Sleep Struggle with Roger Seheult, MD

In this conversation, Dr. Linda Bluestein discusses conquering the sleep struggle with Dr. Roger Seheult, a quadruple board-certified physician with expertise in sleep medicine. They cover topics such as challenges of working from home, sleep schedules and chronic illness, shifting sleep patterns, …

Listen to the Episode
Feb. 1, 2024

88. Service Dogs and Disability Rights with Tiffany Lee, JD

In this episode, Dr. Linda Bluestein interviews Professor Tiffany Lee about service dogs and disability rights and accommodations. They discuss the Americans with Disabilities Act, the definition of disability, and disability benefits. They also explore reasonable accommodations in the workplace an…

Listen to the Episode
Jan. 24, 2024

87. Disordered Eating in Dance with Josh Spell, LICSW, and Guest Co-H…

In this episode, Dr. Linda Bluestein and Jennifer Milner discuss the intersection of hypermobility and disordered eating in dance with their guest, Josh Spell. They explore the prevalence of eating disorders in dancers and the impact of social media and diet culture on body image. They also discuss…

Listen to the Episode
Jan. 18, 2024

86. The Unfair EDS Journey with Amanda Cassil, PhD

In this episode, Dr. Amanda Cassil discusses the unfair EDS journey. She covers the importance of self-advocacy in healthcare and provides strategies for effectively communicating with healthcare providers. She emphasizes the need for patients to slow down, regulate their nervous systems, and appr…

Listen to the Episode
Jan. 11, 2024

85. Making a MCAS Documentary with Drs. Weinstock, Dempsey, Bluestein…

The Bendy Bodies with the Hypermobility MD podcast episode unfolds a substantive conversation among esteemed healthcare professionals actively engaged in a comprehensive initiative centered around Mast Cell Activation Syndrome (MCAS), Dysautonomia, and Hypermobility Spectrum Disorders (HSD). This m…

Listen to the Episode
Jan. 4, 2024

84. Slipping Rib Surgery in EDS with Adam Hansen, MD

In this episode of the Bendy Bodies with the Hypermobility MD podcast, Dr. Adam Hansen discusses slipping rib surgery, slipping rib syndrome and other chest wall disorders. He covers their relationship to skeletal hypermobility, evaluation and diagnosis, symptoms and impact, emerging areas of disco…

Listen to the Episode
Dec. 21, 2023

83. Expert Insights: Breath Work in Pain Management with Jill Miller

In this episode, Dr. Linda Bluestein interviews Jill Miller, author of the book 'Body by Breath: The Science and Practice of Physical and Emotional Resilience.' They discuss the inspiration behind the book and its organization. They also explore why bendy bodies should care about fascia and the imp…

Listen to the Episode