Helpful Hints 101

Things to Avoid

• Hyperextension or locking out joints (over stretching, hands/knees, heavy hand weights)
• High impact jumping, roller coasters, contact sports
• Heavy push/pull/lift
• Most stretching
• Head/neck in dependent positions (hands/knees, plank, bike riding, freestyle swimming, texting)
• Repetitive activity (including resting, sitting, standing too long)
• Overcommitting to emotional, social or physical activity

Tips for Success

• Protect the joints from hyperextending
• Strengthen muscles that cross unstable joints
• More reps, less weight to avoid microtrauma
• Start low, go slow
• Make sure pelvic floor and abs are strong before progress
• Exercise is your MEDICINE. You may have to work harder than others to achieve a baseline of health
• Consider alternative forms of exercise: aquatic, tai chi, yoga

Precautions for Surgery

• Less likely to be successful in patients with EDS
• Tissues more fragile and take longer to heal
• Blood vessel fragility increases bleeding
• Special considerations for skin sutures: stitch closer together, leave sutures in longer; consider Monocryl over Vicryl

Have a Flare Plan

• Supportive pillows
• Easy to prepare snacks & meals
• Pills, creams, meditations ready to go
• Back up plan for work/childcare/housework

Have an ER Plan

• Medical history on paper, meds current
• Explanation of EDS (see EDS website for emergency card to present)
• Educated advocate to go with you.

BUT…Don’t be afraid to move!

Disclaimer: Wendy4Therapy is not a medical doctor and is not licensed to provide an official medical diagnosis. Education provided here is for your information only, and it is expected that you visit a medical practitioner who is licensed to provide a diagnosis for further exploration. Wendy4Therapy can take you through the diagnostic criteria but cannot formally diagnose EDS or related conditions. Please do not reproduce without permission. This is GENERAL and not intended to be customized for individual patients. Please follow consultation and recommendations of your healthcare provider for specifics to your condition.