Physical therapy (PT) can be a cornerstone of Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS) management, with PT focusing on stabilizing hypermobile joints, reducing chronic pain, and improving proprioception through tailored, low-impact exercises with reduction in stretching. Physical therapy helps to strengthen muscles to compensate for weak connective tissues, reducing subluxations and enhancing daily function.
Key benefits and techniques of PT for EDS patients include:
- Joint Stabilization & Strengthening: Focuses on strengthening small, deep stabilizer muscles using low-weight, high-repetition exercises to increase muscular endurance and support unstable joints.
- Proprioceptive Training: Enhances the body’s awareness of joint position to prevent injuries and reduce pain through balance exercises.
- Bracing and External Supports: Temporary use of kinesiology tape, braces, or orthotics can help reinforce joint alignment while strength is being built. These should not replace muscle development but can reduce injury risk during PT.
- Pain Management Techniques: Employs gentle manual therapy, dry needling and heat/cold therapy to manage myofascial pain.
- Postural and Function Improvement: Provides training for safe movement patterns during activities of daily living to minimize strain and subluxation of joints.
- Management of Associated Conditions: Includes specific exercises for comorbidities, such as slow, reconditioning exercises for Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS).
It is essential for EDS patients to work with a Physical Therapist who has additional knowledge/training of how to work with a patient with a connective tissue disorder to ensure exercises are safe and paced correctly.
If you or someone you love has Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome or any form of connective tissue disorder, please contact your local CACC Physical Therapy office to learn how we can help.
