Abdominal pain in EDS can be a puzzle with countless hidden pieces. In this episode, Dr. Linda Bluestein welcomes back Dr. Pradeep Chopra for part two of their exploration into gastrointestinal problems. Together, they uncover overlooked causes of abdominal pain, from drooping intestines and tethered spinal cords to mast cell…
In honor of Pain Awareness Month, I wanted to share an episode of one of my favorite healthcare podcasts, “Knock Knock Hi with the Glaucomfleckens.” In this interview from last July, Will and Kristin Flanary (AKA Dr. and Lady Glaucomflecken) kindly invited me on to talk about my journey from…
And for those of us who are hypermobile, repeated sprains can mean lasting damage to ligaments and cartilage. In today’s episode of Bendy Bodies (@bendy_bodies), I spoke with podiatrist Dr. Patrick Agnew about ankle instability, when to consider surgery, and why even someone as famous as Houdini may have been…
In this informative and eye-opening episode, Dr. Linda Bluestein sits down with foot and ankle surgeon Dr. Patrick Agnew, who specializes in treating patients with joint hypermobility and connective tissue disorders like Ehlers-Danlos Syndromes. Together, they explore why lower extremity pain and dysfunction are so common and often misunderstood in…
On today’s episode of @bendy_bodies, Dr. Audrey Kershaw (@atelierdentistry_) returns to share a surprising dental health tip: limit your sugar “episodes” to 4 or fewer per day. That means enjoying your sugary treats all at once (yes, even that fancy coffee!) instead of sipping or snacking on sugar all day…
Dr. Audrey Kershaw returns to chat with Dr. Linda Bluestein and demystify wisdom tooth extraction, appliances for TMJ disorder, and everyday oral health habits for people with EDS/HSD. We cover when third molars should be removed (and when they shouldn’t), why local anesthetic can fail in some patients, how to…
In today's episode of @bendy_bodies, Dr. Shimi Kang (@ drshimikang) shares how living with chronic pain and hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (hEDS) kept her amygdala in overdrive, constantly switching her between freeze, flight, and fight mode. This stress response took a toll not just on her body, but on the people…
Dr. Linda Bluestein is joined by award-winning psychiatrist and author Dr. Shimi Kang to explore a radical, yet intuitive concept: that play, creativity, and rest aren’t luxuries - they’re medicine. In a world where high-achievers and neurodivergent thinkers are pushed to exhaustion, Dr. Kang unpacks how this cultural mindset leads…
As I shared in this clip from @bendy_bodies, part of this comes down to confirmation bias – we naturally lean toward information that validates our own experiences. But for many people living with Ehlers-Danlos Syndromes or Hypermobility Spectrum Disorders, there’s an added layer. So many in our community have faced…
After a wave of passionate listener feedback sparked intense conversations behind the scenes, The Bendy Bodies Podcast returns with a candid and heartfelt follow-up. In this episode, Dr. Linda Bluestein is joined by author and communications expert Kate Colbert to openly address the concerns raised about recent content and to…
In the season five finale of the Bendy Bodies Podcast, Dr. Linda Bluestein reflects on powerful listener feedback and opens up important conversations about language, intent, and identity in medicine. She clarifies the purpose behind episodes on pain neuroscience and mast cells in autism, acknowledges the concerns raised, and discusses…
In this illuminating episode of the Bendy Bodies Podcast, Dr. Linda Bluestein sits down with pain neuroscientist and physical therapist Dr. Adriaan Louw to explore the power of education in managing chronic pain. With a passion for helping people understand the "why" behind their symptoms, Dr. Louw breaks down the…
In this clip, returning @bendy_bodies guest Dr. Pradeep Chopra explains how gum fragility, frequent cavities, and even dental crowding can all be linked to connective tissue disorders like EDS. If you've ever wondered why your dental problems don't seem to match your hygiene habits—or why your gums bleed so easily—this…
In this episode of the Bendy Bodies Podcast, Dr. Linda Bluestein sits down once again with fellow pain specialist Dr. Pradeep Chopra to take listeners on a guided “walk” through the GI tract. From teeth to the stomach and beyond, they uncover how connective tissue disorders like EDS (Ehlers-Danlos Syndromes)…
Watch full episode here: https://youtu.be/Nu8pPnkNVps 🧠 "Pain is what you think." Sounds oversimplified, right? But as Adriaan Louw, PT, PhD, shares on today’s episode of @bendy_bodies, there’s a powerful truth behind that idea. Pain is complex - and it doesn’t always mean tissue damage. Your brain plays a huge role…
In this illuminating episode of the Bendy Bodies Podcast, Dr. Linda Bluestein sits down with world-renowned pain neuroscientist and physical therapist Dr. Adriaan Louw to explore the power of education in managing chronic pain. With a passion for helping people understand the "why" behind their symptoms, Dr. Louw breaks down…
When I was getting ready to open my medical practice for EDS and HSD patients back in 2017, I was filled with both excitement and fear. Starting anything new is daunting—but starting a practice for people with conditions like Ehlers-Danlos Syndromes (EDS) and Hypermobility Spectrum Disorder (HSD), which are so…
On today’s episode of @bendy_bodies,, I answer one of the most common questions I get: “How do I know if a provider is the right fit for me?” Whether you’re navigating hypermobility, Ehlers-Danlos Syndromes (EDS), Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS), Mast Cell Activation Syndrome (MCAS), or another complex condition, finding…
In this solo episode of the Bendy Bodies Podcast, Dr. Linda Bluestein tackles a series of complex listener questions originally submitted by clinicians after her guest appearance on The Curbsiders internal medicine podcast. From the flaws in the EDS diagnostic criteria to the misunderstood role of MTHFR gene (methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase),…
On today’s episode of @bendy_bodies,, I answer one of the most common questions I get: “How do I know if a provider is the right fit for me?” Whether you’re navigating hypermobility, Ehlers-Danlos Syndromes (EDS), Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS), Mast Cell Activation Syndrome (MCAS), or another complex condition, finding…
In this compelling episode of the Bendy Bodies Podcast, Dr. Linda Bluestein is joined by her longtime mentor and internationally respected EDS expert, Dr. Pradeep Chopra. Together, they tackle some of the most frustrating—and frequently misunderstood—questions surrounding hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (hEDS). From major flaws in the 2017 diagnostic criteria to…
🧠💩 "You gotta poop." That’s the blunt but essential starting point in treating gastroparesis (delayed stomach empyting), according to Dr. Zachary Spiritos (@drzacspiritos) — and I have to agree. On today’s episode of @bendy_bodies, we dive into the elegant but complex pathophysiology behind gastroparesis, a condition commonly seen in patients…
Dr. Linda Bluestein dives deep into the tangled web of gastrointestinal disorders with neurogastroenterologist Dr. Zachary Spiritos. They tackle the silent struggles of patients with EDS (Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome), POTS (Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome), and MCAS (Mast Cell Activation Syndrome), especially those whose GI tests always come back “normal.” From misunderstood…
Voice, breathing, swallowing, and cough issues are far more common in people with Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS) than many realize — but too often, they’re overlooked. In today's episode of @bendy_bodies, Mayo Clinic speech-language pathologist Stacey Menton shares how patients with Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome and Hypermobility Spectrum Disorder (HSD) often go unseen…