Osteoporosis is a disease that affects tens of millions of people each year. Dancers and other high-level athletes are often at higher risk due to low body weight, increased time indoors, and suboptimal nutritional support. Rebekah Rotstein is a former pre-professional dancer who received a shocking diagnosis of osteoporosis at age 28, and then spent the next several years looking for ways to optimize her bone strength through exercise and nutrition. Rebekah is a movement educator and certified Pilates instructor who has presented at conferences and symposia around the world on the topics of bone health, anatomy and movement, and is the founder of Buff Bones®, a research-supported system combining education and focused exercises aimed at the optimization of bone and joint health. Rebekah shares the knowledge she’s gained in her extensive research on osteoporosis and stresses that a diagnosis isn’t the end of the world but rather a test for advocating for oneself. She discusses why bone density is especially important for those with hypermobility disorders. She theorizes on why dancers should be informed about osteoporosis, and emphasizes the importance of finding a good nutritionist, trainer, and more. Finally, Rebekah shares how her diagnosis planted a desire to help people with osteoporosis, and to help future generations prevent it. Links: https://buff-bones.com/ https://www.instagram.com/gotbuffbones/?hl=en https://www.instagram.com/rebekahrotstein/?hl=en Rebekah@buff-bones.com

Why are hypermobility disorders painful and what can be done about it? When discussing conditions associated with hypermobility, like Ehlers-Danlos Syndromes (EDS) or hypermobility spectrum disorders (HSD), pain is often mysteriously left out of the conversation despite the fact that persistent pain can be very much a part of many peoples’ lives. Addressing pain early in the process is vital for long-term health and well-being. Bendy Bodies founder, Dr. Bluestein, takes the guest seat in this episode as she peels back the onion-like layers of the development of chronic pain and options for managing it. She discusses factors that influence how much pain a person experiences, and names some frequently missed contributors to chronic pain. Dr. Bluestein dispels some common myths about chronic pain, and explains why our thoughts and actions are important in how we perceive pain. She cautions that there’s often no one single solution to pain and shares her multidisciplinary approach to a patient experiencing chronic pain, breaking down each step of her long-term care plan. A perfect companion to Episode 24, with Beth Darnall, "Thriving with Chronic Pain", this episode is great for anyone suffering from chronic pain. https://www.danceusa.org/informational-papers https://www.hypermobilitymd.com/ https://www.ehlers-danlos.com/ https://www.chronicpainpartners.com/ https://edswellness.org/ https://www.ehlers-danlos.org/ http://hypermobility.org/ https://tinyurl.com/bendybodiesyoutube https://tinyurl.com/bendybodiesapplepodcast https://www.rcgp.org.uk/clinical-and-research/resources/toolkits/ehlers-danlos-syndromes-toolkit.aspx

In this second interview with Dr. Svetlana Blitshteyn, board-certified neurologist and director of the Dysautonomia Clinic, we go beyond identifying common disorders such as POTS (Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome), and take a look at how people with these conditions can improve their quality of life. Dr. Blitshteyn talks about effective exercises for people with POTS, easy steps to boost sodium and fluid intake, and how important it is to address sleep disorders in this population. She discusses why people might need to be tested for comorbidities such as EDS (Ehlers-Danlos Syndromes) or autoimmune disorders, the difficulty in treating fatigue in this population, and how people can find help with their dysautonomia. Dr. Blitshteyn also explains post-viral dysautonomia and why it’s important to understand in this time of COVID, and expresses her hopes for the future of dysautonomia treatment and research. Learn about Dr. Blitshteyn, https://www.dysautonomiaclinic.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DysautonomiaClinic/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/dysclinic Learn about Bendy Bodies: Website: https://www.hypermobilitymd.com/podcast Instagram: @bendy_bodies Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BendyBodiesPodcast/ Learn about Dr. Linda Bluestein: Website: https://www.hypermobilitymd.com Instagram: @hypermobilitymd Twitter: @hypermobilityMD Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hypermobilityMD/ Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/hypermobilityMD/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hypermobilitymd/ Learn about Jennifer Milner: Website: www.jennifer-milner.com Instagram: @jennifer.milner Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jennifermilnerbodiesinmotion/

How do you prepare a hypermobile student for the rigors of the professional dance world, finding that balance of exploring their gifts while moving cautiously to avoid injury? In this episode, we are joined by Mariaelena Ruiz, director of Cary Ballet Conservatory’s Professional Training Program and recipient of the 2019 Outstanding Teacher Award at the Youth America Grand Prix NYC Finals. She discusses her experiences training high-level dancers who wrestle with their hypermobility. Mariaelena brings her decades as a professional ballerina with a wonky body to her classroom and has a personal understanding of the struggles hypermobile dancers face. She asserts that her injuries also made her both a better dancer and a better teacher, and made her a firm believer in cross-training. She discusses why her teaching is focused on strength and not bendiness, and how she shapes a student’s training over the course of several years. We talk about why slower is better, and how she and her team approach the long-term training of a hypermobile dancer. She shares tips for teachers of hypermobile dancers, gives advice for frustrated bendy dancers, and reveals what she’d like to see support-wise from the dance medicine community. Full of thoughtfulness and packed with advice, Mariaelena’s interview is not one to miss! Learn about Mariaelena Ruiz and follow her on social media: https://www.caryballet.com/ https://www.facebook.com/CaryBallet/ https://www.instagram.com/mariaelenaruizofficial/ https://www.instagram.com/caryballet/ Learn about Dr. Linda Bluestein, the hypermobility MD, at our website and be sure to follow us on social media: Website: www.hypermobilitymd.com and www.bendybodies.org Instagram: @hypermobilitymd and @bendy_bodies Twitter: @hypermobilityMD Facebook: www.facebook.com/hypermobilityMD/ and www.facebook.com/bendybodiespodcast/ Pinterest: www.pinterest.com/hypermobilityMD/ LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/hypermobilitymd/ And follow guest co-host Jennifer at the links below: Website: www.jennifer-milner.com Instagram: @jennifer.milner Facebook: www.facebook.com/jennifermilnerbodiesinmotion/

Living with hypermobility disorders often means learning to live with chronic pain, and as pain is a whole-person experience - physical, emotional, and mental - it stands to reason that pain can have a profound influence on every facet of our daily lives. Joining us for this episode is Beth Darnall, a Stanford pain scientist, international speaker, evidence-based psychologist, and author. Beth encourages us to think about pain more broadly, explaining why a multi-disciplinary assessment is so necessary for diagnosing and treating pain. Beth talks about how sleep is a top predictor of pain levels for the next day, and how treatment for sleep disorders can help with chronic pain. She goes in-depth on the topic of treating chronic pain using behavioral treatments so people are empowered to help themselves, and lists some of the best ways people can improve chronic pain. Beth gives suggestions on how to reduce pain-related distress, discusses the importance of dedicating time to practicing skills and strategies that help people live with chronic pain, and reminds us that it’s what we do in the day-to-day that makes the difference, more than what happens with sporadic office visits. Check out this must-listen episode for anyone struggling to cope with chronic pain! https://bethdarnall.com/

Dr. Jill Schofield, founder and director of the Center for Multisystem Disease, is back to discuss multisystemic diseases and what she wishes everyone knew about them. She offers insight into how to get better care (and what to avoid), the pros and cons of having more or less lenient diagnostic criteria for diseases such as hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (hEDS), and advice on what to do if you suspect you have MCAS. Dr. Schofield explores possible reasons for the increased incidence of autoimmune disease, and gives guidance on finding the help you need in today’s online world. If you missed Dr. Schofield's first interview with us, please be sure to listen to our previous episode, "Investigating Autoimmune Disorders with Dr. Jill Schofield", for more great insight! Visit www.BendyBodiesPodcast.com for links to all episodes. Thank you so very much to Dr. Jill Schofield for being so generous with her time and expertise! Visit the link below to more information about Dr. Schofield (with fabulous photos from MCAS retreats including one with Bendy Bodies founder, Dr. Linda Bluestein). https://www.centerformultisystemdisease.com/contents/about/about-dr-schofield

Dysautonomia is an umbrella term used to describe disorders of the autonomic nervous system (which controls all the automatic functions of the body like blood pressure, heart rate, digestion, temperature regulation, etc.). Dr. Svetlana Blitshteyn, a board-certified neurologist and director of the Dysautonomia Clinic, joins us as we dig into these disorders and explore their defining features. POTS (Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome), small-fiber neuropathy, and neurocardiogenic syncope are frequent comorbidities with EDS (Ehlers-Danlos Syndromes), Marfan Syndrome, and other disorders of connective tissue. Dr. Blitshteyn discusses who is considered high-risk for POTS, explains neurocardiogenic syncope and small-fiber neuropathy, and talks about the difference between the three disorders. She explores common symptoms of POTS and outlines frequent comorbidities such as MCAS (Mast Cell Activation Syndrome), IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome), and EDS. Finally, Dr. Blitshteyn answers the question - Is there a link between dysautonomia and autoimmune issues? An in-depth exploration of dysautonomia and what that might entail for the hypermobile population, this episode is important for patients and healthcare professionals alike who are eager to learn about these complex disorders. Learn about Dr. Blitshteyn, https://www.dysautonomiaclinic.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DysautonomiaClinic/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/dysclinic Learn more about Dr. Linda Bluestein, the Hypermobility MD at our website and be sure to follow us on social media: Website: https://www.hypermobilitymd.com Instagram: @hypermobilitymd Twitter: @hypermobilityMD Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hypermobilityMD/ Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/hypermobilityMD/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hypermobilitymd/ And follow guest co-host Jennifer at the links below: Website: www.jennifer-milner.com Instagram: @jennifer.milner Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jennifermilnerbodiesinmotion/

For people working with artistic athletes such as dancers, circus artists, and gymnasts, training the hypermobile body brings its own set of challenges. Shepherding a “wonky body” through healthy training may feel overwhelming and frustrating and, at times, like you’re spinning your wheels. Dr. Linda Bluestein turns the tables to chat with Bendy Bodies' regular guest co-host Jennifer Milner about what it takes to train a hypermobile dancer or athlete. Jennifer brings her almost twenty years of cross-training dancers across the globe to the conversation, revealing what she’s learned from her dancers and her own dance career navigating injuries with a hypermobile body. She shares what she’s observed in the hypermobile population and how she approaches their training differently than the general population. Jennifer discusses her goals in working with hypermobile dancers and provides concrete suggestions on how to achieve them. She discloses what she wishes dance teachers and medical professionals knew about hypermobile dancers, and how dancers with hypermobility can add longevity to their careers. This interview is full of practical suggestions. It's a must listen for dance teachers, strength and conditioning coaches, healthcare professionals, and dancers themselves! Learn about Jennifer Milner: Website: www.jennifer-milner.com Instagram: @jennifer.milner Facebook: www.facebook.com/jennifermilnerbodiesinmotion/ Learn about Dr. Linda Bluestein, the hypermobility MD, at our website and be sure to follow us on social media: Website: www.hypermobilitymd.com and www.BendyBodiesPodcast.com Instagram: @hypermobilitymd and @bendybodiespodcast Twitter: @hypermobilityMD Facebook: www.facebook.com/hypermobilityMD/ and www.facebook.com/bendybodiespodcast/ Pinterest: www.pinterest.com/hypermobilityMD/ LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/hypermobilitymd/