As an elite ballet dancer, Bonnie Moore Southgate danced as a soloist first with American Ballet Theatre, then with the Royal Ballet. Struggling with injuries and pain for years, Bonnie retired from dance and eventually was diagnosed with Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome. Her journey to find treatments and pain relief led to…
Hypermobility can help the artist create aesthetically pleasing lines with one of the most obvious locations involving the foot. And while many artists envy the banana feet that sometimes accompany excessive ranges of motion, having hypermobile feet and ankles can just as often bring complications. Andrea Zujko, a physical therapist…
Evidence shows that neurodivergency occurs at a higher rate amongst people with hypermobility disorders. And we know that anxiety is also prevalent in the hypermobile population. When we look at neurodivergency, hypermobility, anxiety, and dysautonomia, we see hints of lines drawn between them. Might science soon be able to connect…
People with hypermobility often struggle with fatigue. They want more energy, and know that exercise and adequate sleep can help. But what is the role of nutrition in combating fatigue? Bendy Bodies team member, Kristin Koskinen, RDN, chats with us on how what we eat can influence how we feel.…
Fatigue is common in people with chronic disease. Pain, fatigue, and depression can feed into each other and become a vicious cycle that’s difficult to break. Combating fatigue can be particularly difficult for those with bendy bodies and comorbidities. Alan Pocinki, MD, specialist in hypermobility and related autonomic and sleep…
Pregnancy can be a time of new physical challenges, and hypermobility may make the season even more complex. Hormones can change tissue elasticity and the body may struggle to adapt. Dr. Shanda Dorff began working with connective tissue disorders in 2008 and has helped countless women through pregnancies and beyond.…
Artistic athletes like dancers, gymnasts, and skaters require highly skilled medical care in order to maintain peak health while operating at an elite level. Understanding the unique demands placed on their bodies is crucial for their physicians. And when the artist is competing as part of a team - say,…
Hypermobility disorders can be difficult to diagnose, with no one clear path forward. Without an obvious road to walk, people with chronic pain who suspect hypermobility disorders may feel defeated and overwhelmed, struggling to find the help they need. In this episode, Bendy Bodies founder Linda Bluestein, MD opens up…
People struggling with a chronic illness often feel overwhelmed at the idea of pursuing a passion. Health issues may seem insurmountable when trying to go after your dream, and you may feel hopeless and alone on your journey. Camille Schrier, Miss America 2020, was diagnosed with Classical Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome at…
What is overstretching, and why should we talk about it? As the artistic world seems to demand ever more extreme ranges of motion from its dancers and athletes, many people turn to overstretching as a way to stay competitive, forcing an artificial hypermobility in some joints. Dr. Linda Bluestein interviews…
Artistic athletes often push their flexibility to the limit, both for competitive and aesthetic reasons. Nowhere are limits tested more than in rhythmic gymnastics where hypermobility tends to be the norm. Vita Bachman, former international Ukrainian rhythmic gymnast and now a highly respected coach, speaks openly with Bendy Bodies about…
Chronic illness can make your life feel filled with insurmountable obstacles. Pursuing your dreams, even in the face of health issues, may feel hopeless. But moving forward, even in small increments, you can accomplish great things. Just ask gold medalist Allysa Seely. Allysa grew up as a dancer and competitive…
Navigating medical care can be a daunting task at the best of times, but when you have a chronic disorder that is largely an invisible illness, you may find yourself bewildered and frustrated trying to get the care you need. Often, a diagnosis like Hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos syndrome or hypermobility spectrum…
What exactly is dry needling? How is it different from acupuncture? What sort of issues might it be used for? Dry needling can be a vital part of an artistic athlete’s healthcare, but sometimes can be misunderstood. Mandy Blackmon, DPT, head physical therapist for Atlanta Ballet's company dancers also serves…
Mast cells: interesting and mysterious. You can’t be born without them, but they don’t show up in blood tests. They’re found throughout the body and can affect multiple systems in vastly different ways. What makes them misbehave? We spoke with renowned Allergy and Immunology physician, Anne Maitland, MD, about the…
Are you suffering from gastrointestinal distress? People with hypermobility disorders have a higher prevalence of GI problems than the general population. Dr. Leonard Weinstock, board-certified gastroenterologist with expertise in Ehlers-Danlos Syndromes (EDS) and related disorders, sits down with Bendy Bodies to discuss this very topic. Dr. Weinstock discusses the “unhappy…
Do you live with a hypermobility disorder? Whether you have a connective tissue disorder like Ehlers-Danlos syndrome or Marfan syndrome, or a hypermobility spectrum disorder, you are not alone. These conditions affect millions of people worldwide and disproportionately impact performing artists such as dancers, gymnasts, circus artists, and more. What…
Neurodivergency occurs at a much higher rate amongst people with hypermobility disorders like Ehlers-Danlos Syndromes and hypermobility spectrum disorders. What’s the connection? Jessica Eccles, MD, senior clinical academic psychiatrist at Brighton and Sussex Medical School, and specialist in brain-body neuroscience, recently spoke with Bendy Bodies about these neurological conditions that…
A very high percentage of dancers and athletic artists struggle with perfectionism: it’s what makes us so good at what we do, while at the same time can be unhealthy for us as individuals. Bonnie Robson, world-renowned psychiatrist and dance medicine specialist, is back to talk to us about perfectionism…
Jill Miller’s life was upended with shocking news of end-stage osteoarthritis in her early forties. This led to her exploration of healthy ways of releasing and restoring her hypermobile body. Her study of the body led her to fascia and its importance in healthy motion. As she began applying fascial…
Photography encapsulates a moment in time like no other art form, and every artist walks into the studio wanting to capture their best selves. Some walk away ecstatic, while others leave unsatisfied or even injured. Dancers and photographers alike may feel pressure for photos that continue to push the body…
What support does a hypermobile young artist need? Hint: a lot. Hypermobile dancers, gymnasts, skaters, circus artists: the same hypermobility that gives them extraordinary lines and range of motion, also makes them vulnerable to injury, mental health issues, and more. They have unique needs and susceptibilities - so how do…
What the heck is a pelvic floor and why should you care? The pelvic floor is a collection of muscle and connective tissue forming a hammock at the bottom of your pelvis. Hypermobile people should be especially aware of their pelvic floor, as connective tissue disorders can cause ligaments and…
Do you love a fresh start? Have you ever made a new year's resolution and then dreaded it? It’s common for people to look at eating habits, make bold, sweeping commitments, and vow to be perfect this month/year/lifetime. But that’s not realistic, or healthy - physically or emotionally. And since…