Some level of physical flexibility is healthy and helpful to have, but life with hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos Syndromes (EDS or hEDS) mostly involves navigating increased challenges. If you have a Hypermobility Spectrum Disorder (HSD), your joints and even your body’s tissues are more than usually soft and flexible and you are prone to subluxation and dislocation. That means you risk chronic pain and other health and wellness interruptions, including fatigue and recurrent problems with bodily inflammation.
Board-certified interventional pain management physicians Dr. Nichelle C. Renk and Dr. Gavin Nixon of Alpenglow Pain & Wellness, located in Anchorage, Alaska, offer the highest level of expertise in the state when it comes to EDS management. While this condition can’t be cured, with the right treatment approach, your symptoms stay managed and unobtrusive. And, you don’t necessarily need intensive medication management to keep your EDS under control. Here are some medication-free approaches to EDS treatment you should know more about.
When your joints and tissues are weak due to the effects of EDS, it’s essential to strengthen your muscles. Strong muscles stabilize your musculoskeletal system, taking pressure off your joints and reducing your risk of dislocations and falls.
That said, exercising with EDS means taking the limitations imposed by your condition into careful consideration. You don’t want to injure yourself or aggravate your symptoms with the wrong type of physical stress. So, you should stick to low-impact forms of activity like swimming, yoga, or bicycling. Expert support in physical therapy helps you find the right exercises to keep you strong without causing your symptoms to flare.
Protect your whole-body health and wellness by paying attention to your diet and sleep needs. People with EDS need to stay well-hydrated at all times, and should eat a balanced diet with plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables, protein, and whole grains. Vitamins and nutrients like vitamin D and calcium are important for managing EDS. Your provider at Alpenglow Pain & Wellness can advise you on any supplementation or dietary changes.
In order to benefit from 7-9 hours of sleep each night, attend to sleep hygiene. Make sure your sleep environment is set up to encourage rest, with support pillows to cushion your limbs and joints if helpful. Fatigue affects you less when you maintain a regular sleep schedule and get plenty of high-quality sleep.
In order to prevent flare-ups, pace yourself when it comes to daily activities, and use support whenever possible. You may need to take breaks during tasks, rest after activity, or rely on assistive devices to avoid over-exerting yourself.
Talk to your provider about the right modifications and supports for you. Orthotic and support garments like compression socks, compression sleeves, braces, or splints can cushion and take pressure off your joints, as well as improving your circulation.
When an EDS flare comes your way, try to recognize any relevant triggers, and follow your care plan to get through the rough stretch. A flare-up may occur due to over-exertion, weather changes, or increased stress.
During a flare-up, adjust your activity levels downward and focus on rest. For pain management, try heat and cold therapy to relax muscles and reduce inflammation. Talk to your provider about whether taking over-the-counter nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like ibuprofen is a good pain relief strategy for you. Pain psychology and focused mindfulness techniques like deep breathing can also get you through a flare-up without medication.
Instead of opioid medications, which can become addictive or habit forming, hEDS patients may benefit from taking low dose naltrexone (LDN) and antihistamines (H1 and H2 blockers). In low doses, naltrexone can modulate your immune system and reduce inflammation and pain. In addition, if your EDS involves mast cell activation and excessive histamine, LDN could be right for you.
This medication stops the histamine activation which can lead to flare-ups, and may be able to effectively reset your pain levels. LDN also often improves sleep quality and reduces fatigue.
To reap the full benefits of LDN treatment, accompany the medication with synergistic supplements including fish oil, longa curcurmin, palmitoylethanolamide (PEA), cannabidiol (CBD), and magnesium glycinate chelate.
You don’t have to cope with EDS on your own. Reach out to Dr. Renk, Dr. Nixon, and the experienced team at Alpenglow Pain & Wellness for support. Schedule your initial consultation appointment online or over the phone today.
