On the latest episode of the Bendy Bodies Podcast, I spoke with Dr. Jessica Eccles about why neurodivergence in women is so often missed. Many women learn to mask - appearing socially confident, capable, and “fine” on the outside. But that performance comes at a cost. Masking can look like:➡️…
On today’s episode of the Bendy Bodies Podcast, I spoke with Dr. Jessica Eccles about the stress of not being able to trust your own body. For many people with joint hypermobility, symptoms feel unpredictable—➡️ rashes from pressure or vibration➡️ sudden heart rate spikes➡️ reactions to heat, meals, or posture…
Dr. Jessica Eccles, an award-winning neurodevelopmental psychiatrist, returns for a deep dive into the profound connections between hypermobility, variant connective tissue, and the neurodivergent brain. In this conversation, she explores why individuals with bendy bodies are significantly more likely to be autistic or have ADHD, and how these conditions create…
On the last episode of Bendy Bodies, Dr. Andrew Callen explained how epidural blood patches actually spread in the spine. Research shows that higher volume can cover more area - but placement matters just as much. Because how far a patch spreads depends on where it’s injected,not just how much…
On the last episode of Bendy Bodies, Dr. Andrew Callen broke down a common issue in CSF leak diagnosis: missed MRI findings. Many patients come in with imaging reports labeled “normal” - but a closer, more systematic review tells a different story. Subtle signs get overlooked.Patterns get missed.And patients get…
On @Bendy_Bodies, I’m joined by Dr. Andrew Callen and Dr. Dacre Knight of @UVAHealth to talk about what recovery really looks like after a CSF leak Because what happens after treatment is often the hardest part “What can I safely do?” “What might make this worse?” That’s where fear can…
Spinal cerebral spinal fluid (CSF) leaks are significantly more common in those with connective tissue disorders than many realize, yet patients often suffer for years before finding the right diagnosis. In this episode, neuroradiologist Dr. Andrew Callan joins Dr. Linda Bluestein and co-host Dr. Knight to discuss the complexities of…
On Bendy Bodies, I’m joined by Dr. Brooke Winder to zoom out on pelvic floor dysfunction in hypermobility Because the real question isn’t “How do we fix the pelvic floor?” It’s “Why is it working so hard?” In hypermobility, ligaments provide less stability So the body compensates Often, that means…
34% of professional dancers in their 20s experience urinary leakage Nearly 40% report pain with intercourse These are not postpartum patients These are elite, highly trained athletes On Bendy Bodies, I’m joined by pelvic floor physical therapist Dr. Brooke Winder to break down what these numbers actually reveal Because pelvic…
On today’s episode of @bendy_bodies, I’m joined by Dr. Brooke Winder (@drbrookewinderpt) to break down this paradox in hypermobility and pelvic floor dysfunction. In conditions like Ehlers-Danlos Syndromes (EDS) and hypermobility spectrum disorders, ligaments (which provide joint stability) are more lax—so the body often compensates. That compensation? Your muscles. Pelvic…
In this essential conversation, Dr. Linda Bluestein welcomes pelvic health physical therapist and dance science expert Dr. Brooke Winder to explore the often-hidden intersection of pelvic health, performance, and joint hypermobility. Dr. Winder shares her professional insights and personal history with urinary leakage as a young athlete, shedding light on…
On last week’s episode of Bendy Bodies, I spoke with Anne Maitland, M.D., Ph.D., alongside co-host Dacre Knight of UVA Health, about how hypermobility and hypersensitivity may be driven by secondary mast cell activation. Dr. Maitland describes it like this: it’s as if a police officer shows up to a…
On yesterday’s episode of Bendy Bodies, I spoke with Anne Maitland, M.D., Ph.D., alongside co-host Dacre Knight of UVA Health, about a perspective that challenges the traditional understanding of connective tissue disorders. Dr. Maitland argues that hEDS and HSD may function more like an acquired connective tissue condition—driven by the…
On today’s episode of @bendy_bodies, I spoke with Anne Maitland, M.D., Ph.D., alongside co-host Dr. Dacre Knight of UVA Health, about mast cell activation and how the system is actually designed to protect you. We have a built-in “triad” meant to detect danger, sound the alarm, and call in help—mast…
In this enlightening episode, Dr. Linda Bluestein and recurring co-host Dr. Dacre Knight sit down with nationally recognized expert Dr. Anne Maitland to explore a revolutionary perspective on allergic and immune-mediated disorders. Dr. Maitland unpacks the "Epithelial Barrier Hypothesis," explaining how our modernized, industrialized environment, filled with microplastics, "forever chemicals,"…
On last week’s episode of The Bendy Bodies Podcast, I talked about something that doesn’t get discussed enough in Ehlers-Danlos Syndromes (EDS) and Hypermobility Spectrum Disorders (HSD): How these conditions impact relationships. Many partners start from a place of deep support. But over time — especially when symptoms are unpredictable,…
On yesterday’s episode of The Bendy Bodies Podcast, I talked about how easy it is for patients with Ehlers-Danlos Syndromes (EDS) and Hypermobility Spectrum Disorders (HSD) to start doubting themselves when symptoms don’t “fit” into one clear box. When you’re experiencing issues across multiple systems — skin, gut, heart, brain…
Why do so many patients with Ehlers-Danlos Syndromes (EDS) and Hypermobility Spectrum Disorders (HSD) have symptoms that seem… everywhere? Skin. Gut. Heart. Brain. It may not be separate problems. It may be mast cells. On today’s episode of @bendy_bodies, I shared how my understanding of mast cell activation has changed,…
In this listener-inspired episode, Dr. Linda Bluestein is joined by producer Aron from Human Content to address the fundamental truths she wishes every patient knew about hypermobility. Together, they explore the "invisible" yet highly visible nature of Ehlers-Danlos syndromes (EDS) and hypermobility spectrum disorders (HSD), providing a roadmap to help…
On today’s episode of @bendy_bodies, I spoke with Dr. Eric Singman, alongside Dr. Dacre Knight of UVA Health, about how to spot red flags in treatment — especially when you’re in pain and just want relief. Because here’s the reality: when patients are suffering, they’re often willing to try anything.…
In this highly requested follow-up, Dr. Linda Bluestein and recurring co-host Dr. Dacre Knight welcome back neuro-ophthalmologist Dr. Eric Singman to dive deeper into the complex intersection of the eyes, the brain, and Ehlers-Danlos syndrome. Dr. Singman shares a vital triage guide for navigating the world of eye specialists, helping…
Arachnoiditis is considered one of the most painful conditions in medicine, yet many patients spend years fighting to be believed because so many clinicians were never taught to recognize it. On this week’s episode of the @bendy_bodies Podcast, pain specialist Dr. Forest Tennant explains what happens in the spine when…
Severe back pain that refuses to respond to treatment may sometimes have a far more serious cause than most people realize. In this episode of Bendy Bodies, Dr. Linda Bluestein speaks with Dr. Forest Tennant, a longtime physician and researcher who has spent decades studying adhesive arachnoiditis, a rare but…
On today’s episode of @bendy_bodies, I spoke with Dr. Ina Stephens, Associate Director of the UVA Health EDS and Hypermobility Disorders Center, about an often-overlooked piece of the fatigue puzzle: muscle mass. As Dr. Stephens explains, muscle acts as the body’s energy warehouse. Building and maintaining muscle can help improve…