The answer surprised even me. In this week’s episode of @bendy_bodies, I talk about how oxytocin and prolactin released during breastfeeding can improve venous return, stabilize hemodynamics, and reduce orthostatic symptoms for some patients with dysautonomia. But I also share the practical side of this. Staying hydrated, maintaining electrolytes, using…
Think EDS and pregnancy is a straightforward conversation? Think again. In this jam-packed Office Hours episode, I dig into everything I wish someone had told me and everything I’ve since learned from patients, research, and my own pregnancies. From racing heart rates and failed epidurals to postpartum complications and misunderstood…
🦷 What actually helps prevent jaw pain flares — especially for people with connective tissue disorders like Ehlers-Danlos Syndromes and HSD? In this week’s episode of @bendy_bodies, Professor Tara Renton of King’s College London shares practical, evidence-informed strategies that support people living with jaw pain, hypermobility, and TMD (temporomandibular dysfunction).…
In this episode, Dr. Linda Bluestein is joined by Professor Tara Renton, a globally recognized expert in orofacial pain, to explore the nuanced world of facial pain, temporomandibular joint (TMJ) dysfunction, and migraine disorders. Together, they unpack why so many patients suffer from persistent facial, jaw, or head pain despite…
In this week’s episode of @bendy_bodies, Principal Dancer @skylarbrandt of American Ballet Theatre dives into the complicated relationship between dance and the digital world — a space that can both inspire and distort. Skylar shares how platforms like YouTube once expanded her artistic vision, offering access to dancers who pushed…
In this raw and uncompromising conversation, Dr. Linda Bluestein and co-host Jennifer Milner sit down with Skylar Brandt, principal dancer with American Ballet Theatre, for a gripping look at what it truly takes to perform at the highest level. Skylar pulls back the curtain on the physical and psychological demands…
On today’s episode of @bendy_bodies, I break down when cervical collars can help and when they can actually create new problems. For some people with Ehlers-Danlos Syndromes (EDS) or Hypermobility Spectrum Disorders (HSD), a cervical collar can offer gentle support, reduce neck pain, and remind staff to handle the neck…
In this solo episode, Dr. Linda Bluestein brings on her producers to help unpack the hidden complications that can follow seemingly routine medical procedures. From the lingering effects of breast surgery to the controversial use of nitrous oxide, Dr. Bluestein explores how standard treatments can backfire, especially for patients with…
Did you know that local anesthetics can sometimes fail in people with Ehlers-Danlos Syndromes (EDS) or Hypermobility Spectrum Disorders (HSD)? On today’s episode of @bendy_bodies, I explain why this happens and what you can do about it. Many patients with EDS or HSD report that dental numbing, epidurals, or lidocaine…
In this solo episode, Dr. Linda Bluestein brings on her producers to ask your most pressing questions about what it’s really like to live with and treat Ehlers-Danlos Syndromes (EDS) and Mast Cell Activation Syndrome (MCAS). From the pitfalls of internet misinformation to the hidden ways MCAS impacts medication tolerance,…
🧠 How can clinicians tell the difference between a primary psychiatric disorder and symptoms driven by mast cell activation or inflammation? According to psychiatrist Dr. Janet Settle, you often can’t—because they can look exactly the same. In today's episode of @bendy_bodies, Dr. Settle explains why it’s critical for mental health…
In this eye-opening conversation, Dr. Linda Bluestein sits down with psychiatrist Dr. Janet Settle to unpack the medical mystery that is mast cell activation syndrome (MCAS) and why it may be hiding in plain sight as depression, anxiety, panic attacks, or even psychosis. Together, they explore how immune system dysregulation…
On today’s episode of @bendy_bodies, author @thattillyrose shares her experience with Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS) and vascular compressions - a condition where blood vessels get squashed due to overly stretchy connective tissue. Tilly explains how significant weight loss during her teens, combined with her atypical connective tissue, led to veins and…
In this emotionally charged episode, Dr. Linda Bluestein talks with Tilly Rose, the founder of That Oxford Girl and the author of Be Patient, about what it’s like to face palliative care as a young adult and come out the other side fighting for change. They explore how Tilly transformed…
On today’s episode of @bendy_bodies, cardiologist @drcutchins explains how problems with blood flow in the pelvis can lead to POTS-like symptoms such as brain fog, fatigue, and a racing heart when standing. When blood pools in the pelvis and legs, less returns to the heart—and that means less blood reaches…
In this eye-opening episode, Dr. Linda Bluestein speaks with Dr. Alexis Cutchins, a cardiologist passionate about uncovering missed and misunderstood diagnoses. One of those? Pelvic Venous Disease, a condition affecting countless patients but rarely identified. They explore how PVD can mimic or exacerbate conditions like dysautonomia, MCAS, and chronic pelvic…
Some people with Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS), Hypermobility Spectrum Disorders (HSD), or other CTD seek out chiropractic adjustments hoping for relief. But according to @ladyspinedoc in today’s episode of @bendy_bodies, the reality is complicated. There’s little evidence that chiropractic manipulation can “fix” spinal deformities — and in some cases, it can…
In this episode of Bendy Bodies, Dr. Linda Bluestein is joined by neurosurgeon and social media educator Dr. Betsy Grunch to tackle complex questions around spine health, chronic pain, and the unique challenges faced by people with hypermobility and connective tissue disorders like Ehlers-Danlos Syndromes (EDS). Together, they explore why…
As @jennifer.milner explains in today’s episode of @bendy_bodies, there’s a big difference between having a bendy body and being able to move with strength and control. Hypermobility can make lines look effortless — but turning that flexibility into a stable, three-dimensional movement requires focus, body awareness, and a lot of…
In this empowering episode, Dr. Linda Bluestein is joined by OG Bendy Bodies cohost, Jennifer Milner. Jen is a ballet coach, Pilates trainer, and specialist in working with hypermobile bodies. Together they explore why traditional movement cues don’t always work for bendy bodies, how dancers and athletes can train smarter…
Researchers like Dr Cortney Gensemer from the Norris Lab at MUSC are beginning to uncover clues that hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (hEDS) may not only be linked to mast cell activation, but also to immune dysregulation. This could explain why the symptoms are so widespread and why the condition is so…
In this raw and reflective Office Hours episode, Dr. Linda Bluestein responds to listener feedback and dives deep into the cultural and clinical gaslighting faced by people, especially women, navigating complex health conditions. From the dismissal of perimenopause to the rise of so-called “TikTok diseases,” Dr. Bluestein explores the dangerous…
📉 On today’s episode of Bendy Bodies (@bendy_bodies), Dr. Pradeep Chopra and I talked about Visceroptosis – a condition where internal organs shift or “sag” from their normal positions. For people with Ehlers-Danlos Syndromes (EDS) or Hypermobility Spectrum Disorders (HSD), the connective tissue that normally supports organs can be too…
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…