“Your MRI/CT Is Normal” But Your Body Says Something’s Wrong: Why Standard Imaging Often Misses Key Issues in EDS/HSD

If you’ve been told “your MRI or CT is normal” but still feel like something is wrong, you’re not alone—especially if you’re living with Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (EDS) or hypermobility spectrum disorder (HSD). This blog post explains why standard imaging often fails to capture joint instability, cervical issues, and soft tissue damage common in hypermobility disorders. Learn what these scans miss, why symptoms are often dismissed, and how dynamic or upright imaging may reveal what your body already knows. Your symptoms are real, even when the scan says otherwise.

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Why Hot Weather Can Trigger Flares & Simple Strategies to Stay Cool

For those with Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (EDS)/hypermobility spectrum disorder (HSD), mast cell activation syndrome (MCAS), or dysautonomia (including postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome/POTS), heat isn't just uncomfortable—it can be a powerful trigger. This blog post unpacks how hot weather impacts the immune system, autonomic nervous system, and connective tissue, often leading to delayed flares that are easy to miss. Learn how heat affects each condition, why symptoms might not appear until hours later, and which proactive cooling strategies can help protect your body. Staying cool isn’t just a comfort measure—it’s critical symptom management.

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When the Pain Is Emotional Too: Living with EDS or HSD

Living with Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (EDS) or hypermobility spectrum disorder (HSD) affects far more than joints and connective tissue—it impacts mental health, relationships, and self‑image. In this blog post, we explore the emotional toll of chronic pain, medical dismissal, unpredictability, and loss of independence, as well as practical ways to care for your mental well‑being. You’ll learn strategies for coping, building support, and finding hope even on difficult days. If you’ve ever felt unseen in your struggle with EDS or HSD, this might be the validation you need.

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Coat Hanger Pain: Causes, Symptoms, and Effective Relief Strategies

Neck, shoulder, and upper back pain may seem like simple muscle tension—but in some cases, it’s something far more complex. Coat hanger pain is a distinctive pain pattern often linked to conditions like postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS), other forms of dysautonomia, Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (EDS), hypermobility spectrum disorder (HSD), and mast cell activation syndrome (MCAS), yet it is frequently overlooked or misdiagnosed. In this blog post, we explain what coat hanger pain really is, why it happens, and how it connects to broader circulatory and autonomic issues. You’ll also learn about practical strategies for relieving discomfort and improving daily function. If your pain worsens when upright and eases when lying down, this may be the clue you’ve been missing.

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Muscle Overcompensation in EDS & HSD: Why Your Muscles May Always Feel Tired

If you live with Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (EDS) or hypermobility spectrum disorder (HSD), constant muscle fatigue and tension may be more than just weakness—they’re often a sign that your muscles are working overtime to compensate for unstable joints and loose connective tissue. This blog post explores why muscle overcompensation happens in EDS and HSD, how it feels, and what strategies can help reduce the burden on your body.

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Respiratory Manifestations in hEDS & HSD: What You Should Know

Connective tissue affects your lungs, airways, and respiratory muscles too—which means respiratory symptoms can be part of the bigger picture in hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (EDS) or hypermobility spectrum disorder (HSD). This blog post explores how hEDS and HSD can impact breathing, why these symptoms are often missed, and what strategies may help.

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hEDS & HSD Undiagnosed: Signs and Symptoms That Are Often Hiding in Plain Sight

Many people living with hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (hEDS) or hypermobility spectrum disorder (HSD) spend years searching for answers—only to be told their symptoms are “just stress” or “just growing pains.” In reality, those symptoms may be part of a connective tissue disorder that’s been hiding in plain sight. This post breaks down the signs most often missed, why they get misdiagnosed, and how early recognition can make a life-changing difference.

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When It’s Not “Just Stress”

Not every racing heartbeat, dizzy spell, or shaky moment is “just stress.” Conditions like Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (EDS) or hypermobility spectrum disorder (HSD), postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS) or other forms of dysautonomia, and mast cell activation syndrome (MCAS) can produce anxiety-like symptoms—but with very different underlying causes. In this blog post, we unpack why these medical conditions are so often mistaken for stress, the red flags that it’s something more, and how misdiagnosis can delay effective treatment. You’ll also learn when to push for deeper evaluation, especially if anxiety treatment hasn’t worked. If your symptoms are persistent, unexplained, or resistant to treatment, this could be the missing piece.

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Gastrointestinal (GI) Problems Seen in hEDS: What You Should Know

For many people with hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (hEDS), digestive problems like bloating, reflux, constipation, or nausea aren’t random—they’re part of a larger, often-overlooked pattern. This blog post explores why gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms are so common in hEDS, how they’re connected to connective tissue dysfunction, and why they’re so often misdiagnosed. If you’ve been told it’s “just anxiety” or “just IBS,” this blog post can help you better understand what’s really going on—and what to do next.

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Joint Subluxations in hEDS & HSD: What They Feel Like and How to Cope

Experiencing frequent joint slipping, popping, or pain with movement? You may be dealing with joint subluxations—partial dislocations that are common in hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (hEDS) and hypermobility spectrum disorder (HSD). This blog post breaks down what joint subluxations really feel like, why they happen, and how to manage them with professional support from a physical therapist (PT) or physiotherapist, joint supports, pain relief strategies, and emotional support. Whether subluxations disrupt your daily routine or show up sporadically, this blog post offers validation, practical tools, and expert-informed coping tips for living with joint instability.

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What’s Behind Fatigue in EDS & HSD: More Than Just Feeling Tired

Fatigue in Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (EDS) and hypermobility spectrum disorder (HSD) is more than just tiredness—it's deep, systemic exhaustion driven by joint instability, muscle overcompensation, chronic pain, autonomic dysfunction (like POTS), poor sleep, and mental load. This post explores the hidden causes of fatigue in connective tissue disorders, how it impacts daily life, and strategies to manage it. Learn why your fatigue is valid, what might be contributing to it, and how to start finding relief.

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Why Bother Getting Diagnosed With hEDS if There’s No Cure? (And Why It Still Matters)

Wondering if a hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (hEDS) diagnosis is worth pursuing when there's no cure? This empowering blog post explores why diagnosis still matters—offering clarity, validation, access to targeted care, and a roadmap for managing symptoms like joint instability, chronic pain, fatigue, postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS), gastrointestinal (GI) issues, and more. Learn how understanding your condition can prevent worsening symptoms, help you advocate for yourself, and improve quality of life—even without a cure.

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Pain in EDS & HSD: What’s Going On Beneath the Surface?

Chronic pain in Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (EDS) and hypermobility spectrum disorder (HSD) goes far beyond flexibility. This blog post explains the physiological causes of pain in hEDS and HSD—including abnormal collagen, joint instability, soft tissue damage, muscle overcompensation, and nerve involvement. Learn why pain in connective tissue disorders is often misunderstood, and how better awareness can lead to validation, appropriate care, and long-term relief.

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