Zebra Talks: Living Your Best Bendy Life

In this episode of Zebra Talks, host Dr. Libby Hinsley welcomes Dr. Melissa Koehl to discuss her journey with Hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS) and how it has shaped her career in physical therapy. Melissa shares her personal struggles with diagnosis, the importance of recognizing hypermobility in the context of fibromyalgia, and the intersection of these conditions with other systemic issues like dysautonomia and mast cell activation syndrome. She also discusses the significance of personalized exercise programs, gut health, and the holistic approaches necessary to manage these complex conditions effectively. 00:00 Introduction to Zebra Talks 00:35 Meet Melissa Kahle: A Journey with Hypermobile EDS 01:40 Melissa's Personal and Professional Journey 03:35 The Diagnosis and Its Impact 06:19 Exploring Fibromyalgia and Hypermobility 06:48 Understanding Fibromyalgia: Diagnosis and Criteria 12:04 Treatment Approaches for Fibromyalgia 16:13 Exercise and Movement Strategies 22:35 Exploring Mast Cells and Fibromyalgia 24:28 The Gut Microbiome and Pain Connection 24:53 Personal Struggles with SIBO 29:20 Navigating Healthcare as a Hypermobile Human 31:59 Creating Resources for the Hypermobile Community 37:33 Final Thoughts and Resources

In this episode of Zebra Talks, host Dr. Libby Hinsley welcomes Dr. Jessica Eccles, a prominent consultant psychiatrist and researcher, to discuss her personal and professional experiences with hypermobility syndromes. Dr. Eccles shares insights from her extensive research on the links between hypermobility, anxiety, neurodevelopmental conditions, and chronic health issues such as fibromyalgia and ME/CFS. She explains how differences in brain structure and function, along with abnormal autonomic nervous system responses, can affect those with hypermobility. Dr. Eccles also introduces a novel treatment approach, the ADAPT therapy, designed to reduce anxiety in hypermobile individuals. The conversation highlights the importance of proper diagnosis, medical education, and innovative therapeutic strategies for managing these complex conditions. 00:00 Introduction to Zebra Talks 00:35 Meet Dr. Jessica Echols 01:34 Dr. Echols' Personal Journey with Hypermobility 04:00 Discovering the Link Between Hypermobility and Anxiety 08:50 Exploring Brain Differences in Hypermobile Individuals 11:00 The Role of the Involuntary Nervous System 17:02 Novel Treatments and Future Research 21:05 Connections Between Hypermobility and Neurodivergence 35:45 Challenges and Future Directions in Medical Education 39:53 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

If you have a bendy neck, this one's for you!  For this week's episode of Zebra Talks, Libby has a fascinating conversation with Taylor Goldberg, a chiropractor turned virtual hypermobility coach. Taylor shares a bit about her personal journey with hypermobility and her shift to a virtual coaching model, and then helps us understand all things upper cervical instability (UCI), including its causes, symptoms, diagnostic challenges, and treatment options. UCI affects a whole lot of people with hypermobility, but good news: the most severe cases requiring surgery are quite rare even among us bendy types. Whew!  Taylor unpacks a lot of definitions such as distinguishing between hypermobility and instability (no, they're not the same thing!). She also covers lots of good info about safe exercise practices, and emphasizes why it's so important to avoid certain chiropractic adjustments. The episode also touches on yoga practices for hypermobile individuals and the significance of conservative care in managing UCI. Highlights of this episode include: 00:00 Introduction to Zebra Talks 00:35 Meet Taylor Goldberg: Chiropractor to Hypermobility Coach 01:49 Taylor's Personal Journey with Hypermobility 03:40 Understanding Hypermobility and Instability 06:11 Upper Cervical Instability: Symptoms and Diagnosis 14:42 Managing Upper Cervical Instability 19:01 Activities to Avoid and Chiropractic Cautions 24:12 Challenges in Chiropractic and PT Training 25:23 The Need for Comprehensive Connective Tissue Education 27:02 Creating Realistic Expectations in Recovery 27:49 Step-by-Step Recovery Process 29:39 Exercise Categories and Proprioception 33:46 Managing Upper Cervical Instability 35:01 Yoga and Hypermobility 39:11 Resources and Offerings for Hypermobility 41:16 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

In this episode of Zebra Talks, Dr. Libby Hinsley welcomes Lisa Sherman, a licensed acupuncturist with expertise in functional medicine and molecular biology, to discuss digestive issues among people with hypermobility syndromes. They delve into the prevalence of gastrointestinal problems like dysmotility, microbial dysbiosis, and structural droopiness that hypermobile individuals often face. Lisa offers insights on contributing factors such as the autonomic nervous system and mast cell activation, and shares practical advice for lifestyle changes, nutritional strategies, and supplements that can help manage these conditions. The episode highlights the importance of mindful eating, movement practices, and vagus nerve activation for improving gut health in hypermobile individuals.   Highlights of this episode include: 00:35 Meet Lisa Sherman: Expert on Bendy Bellies 01:39 Understanding Digestive Issues in Hypermobile People 02:56 Prevalence and Impact of GI Issues 04:00 Common GI Conditions in the Bendy Population 07:03 Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders (FGIDS) 08:54 The Role of the Nervous System in Digestion 11:14 Hypermobile Gut and Hypomotility 18:19 Testing and Treating Gut Motility Issues 28:54 The Bendy, Itchy, and Dizzy Trifecta 37:57 Understanding Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders 39:24 Practical Tips for Gut Health 43:44 The Importance of Protein and Collagen 49:15 Navigating Histamine and FODMAPs 56:47 Supplements and Prokinetics 01:04:15 Vagus Nerve Stimulation and Lifestyle Changes 01:08:53 Research and Future Directions 01:10:25 Conclusion and Contact Information

In this episode of Zebra Talks, Libby welcomes biomechanics expert Jules Mitchell to discuss the science of stretching and connective tissue behavior, particularly in the context of hypermobility syndromes. Jules provides insights from her extensive research and professional experience, addressing common misconceptions about stretching, the adaptive capabilities of connective tissue, and how people with hypermobility can safely engage in physical activities. The discussion includes the impact of mechanical tension on tissue adaptation, the importance of understanding individual responses to stretching, and the role of exercise science in improving joint stability and resilience. Jules, who is also the author of 'Yoga Biomechanics Stretching Redefined' and an educator of yoga teachers worldwide, shares valuable perspectives on the interplay between biomechanics and yoga practices, offering practical advice for both practitioners and instructors. 00:35 Meet Jules Mitchell: Yoga Biomechanics Expert 02:18 Jules' Journey into Stretching Research 04:55 Understanding Connective Tissue and Hypermobility 12:46 The Science of Stretching and Tissue Adaptation 18:37 Practical Advice for Bendy People 40:22 Final Thoughts and Resources