Bendy Bodies with Dr. Linda Bluestein

In this solo episode, Dr. Linda Bluestein brings on her producers to help unpack the hidden complications that can follow seemingly routine medical procedures. From the lingering effects of breast surgery to the controversial use of nitrous oxide, Dr. Bluestein explores how standard treatments can backfire, especially for patients with EDS, MCAS, or complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS). She also dives into the surprising risks of cervical collars, and why something that feels stabilizing may actually worsen pain over time. If you’ve ever been told your symptoms “shouldn’t be happening,” this episode might finally connect the dots. Takeaways Dr. Bluestein explains how this commonly used sedative can trigger or worsen neurological symptoms in vulnerable patients and why you might want to avoid it. From scar sensitivity to chronic nerve pain, Dr. Bluestein explores the challenges many face but few anticipate. You’ll learn when collars are truly helpful and when they might prolong instability, weakness, and pain. This condition affects the nervous system in ways most clinicians miss. Dr. Bluestein breaks down how to recognize early signs and advocate for better care. Dr. Bluestein reveals the disconnect between standard protocols and what EDS/MCAS patients actually experience in the OR and during recovery. Find the episode transcript here. Want more Dr. Linda Bluestein, MD? Website: https://www.hypermobilitymd.com/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@bendybodiespodcast Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/hypermobilitymd/⁠⁠⁠⁠ Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/BendyBodiesPodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠ X: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://twitter.com/BluesteinLinda⁠⁠⁠⁠ LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/hypermobilitymd/⁠⁠⁠⁠ Newsletter: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://hypermobilitymd.substack.com/ Shop my Amazon store ⁠⁠⁠ https://www.amazon.com/shop/hypermobilitymd Dr. Bluestein's Recommended Herbs, Supplements and Care Necessities: https://us.fullscript.com/welcome/hypermobilitymd/store-start Thank YOU so much for tuning in. We hope you found this episode informative, inspiring, useful, validating, and enjoyable. Join us on the next episode for YOUR time to level up your knowledge about hypermobility disorders and the people who have them. Join YOUR Bendy Bodies community at ⁠⁠https://www\.bendybodiespodcast\.com/⁠⁠. YOUR bendy body is our highest priority!⁠⁠ Learn more about Human Content at ⁠⁠⁠http://www\.human-content\.com⁠⁠⁠ Podcast Advertising/Business Inquiries: ⁠⁠⁠sales@human-content.com⁠⁠⁠ Part of the Human Content Podcast Network FTC: This video is not sponsored. Links are commissionable, meaning I may earn commission from purchases made through links Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this solo episode, Dr. Linda Bluestein brings on her producers to ask your most pressing questions about what it’s really like to live with and treat Ehlers-Danlos Syndromes (EDS) and Mast Cell Activation Syndrome (MCAS). From the pitfalls of internet misinformation to the hidden ways MCAS impacts medication tolerance, Dr. Bluestein shares her unique perspective as both a physician and a patient. With honesty and a touch of humor, she tackles everything from her least favorite diagnosis to how she manages confusing or contradictory advice. Whether you’re new to these conditions or deep in the weeds, this conversation brings clarity to complexity. Takeaways: Dr. Bluestein dives into why some patients need significantly more, or less, medication to stay under, and why it’s not your fault if things felt “off.” She explores how connective tissue disorders can affect everything from wound healing to joint positioning on the table. Learn how dysautonomia, MCAS, and EDS can complicate anesthesia depth and pain perception during and after surgery. Linda reflects on how emotional trauma and sensory overwhelm can turn recovery into a mental marathon and why that deserves more attention. From advocating for specific anesthesia plans to bringing your own blanket (really), Dr. Bluestein shares what patients can do to stay safer and more comfortable. References & Resources: Find all articles mentioned in this episode at bendybodiespodcast.com. Want more Dr. Linda Bluestein, MD? Website: https://www.hypermobilitymd.com/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@bendybodiespodcast Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/hypermobilitymd/⁠⁠⁠⁠ Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/BendyBodiesPodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠ X: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://twitter.com/BluesteinLinda⁠⁠⁠⁠ LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/hypermobilitymd/⁠⁠⁠⁠ Newsletter: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://hypermobilitymd.substack.com/ Shop my Amazon store ⁠⁠⁠ https://www.amazon.com/shop/hypermobilitymd Dr. Bluestein's Recommended Herbs, Supplements and Care Necessities: https://us.fullscript.com/welcome/hypermobilitymd/store-start Thank YOU so much for tuning in. We hope you found this episode informative, inspiring, useful, validating, and enjoyable. Join us on the next episode for YOUR time to level up your knowledge about hypermobility disorders and the people who have them. Join YOUR Bendy Bodies community at ⁠⁠https://www.bendybodiespodcast.com/⁠⁠. YOUR bendy body is our highest priority!⁠⁠ Learn more about Human Content at ⁠⁠⁠http://www.human-content.com⁠⁠⁠ Podcast Advertising/Business Inquiries: ⁠⁠⁠sales@human-content.com⁠⁠⁠ Part of the Human Content Podcast Network FTC: This video is not sponsored. Links are commissionable, meaning I may earn commission from purchases made through links Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this eye-opening conversation, Dr. Linda Bluestein sits down with psychiatrist Dr. Janet Settle to unpack the medical mystery that is mast cell activation syndrome (MCAS) and why it may be hiding in plain sight as depression, anxiety, panic attacks, or even psychosis. Together, they explore how immune system dysregulation can masquerade as psychiatric illness, and why so many patients are misdiagnosed, medicated, and misunderstood. With deep expertise in trauma-informed psychiatry, Dr. Settle explains how MCAS and other overlooked conditions could be the real cause behind persistent mental health symptoms and what it takes to finally get the right diagnosis. Takeaways: Dr. Settle explains how MCAS can present as psychiatric symptoms like panic, depression, or brain fog—long before classic allergy symptoms appear. The conversation explores how common psych meds can actually exacerbate MCAS-related symptoms in some patients, leading to confusing outcomes. Learn how past trauma and immune dysregulation may work together to create a complex feedback loop—affecting mood, cognition, and inflammation. Many patients are labeled with mental illness for years before MCAS or other immune-based conditions are considered. Dr. Settle shares why this misdiagnosis is so common. Discover how identifying MCAS and understanding its psychiatric presentations can open the door to treatments that actually work—and a life patients didn’t think was possible. Find the episode transcript here. References & Resources: Find all articles mentioned in this episode at bendybodiespodcast.com. Want more Dr. Janet Settle? https://www.linkedin.com/in/janet-settle-md-b2666142/ www.janetsettle.com www.Gateway2Healing.com Want more Dr. Linda Bluestein, MD? Website: https://www.hypermobilitymd.com/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@bendybodiespodcast Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/hypermobilitymd/⁠⁠⁠⁠ Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/BendyBodiesPodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠ X: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://twitter.com/BluesteinLinda⁠⁠⁠⁠ LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/hypermobilitymd/⁠⁠⁠⁠ Newsletter: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://hypermobilitymd.substack.com/ Shop my Amazon store ⁠⁠⁠ https://www.amazon.com/shop/hypermobilitymd Dr. Bluestein's Recommended Herbs, Supplements and Care Necessities: https://us.fullscript.com/welcome/hypermobilitymd/store-start Thank YOU so much for tuning in. We hope you found this episode informative, inspiring, useful, validating, and enjoyable. Join us on the next episode for YOUR time to level up your knowledge about hypermobility disorders and the people who have them. Join YOUR Bendy Bodies community at ⁠⁠https://www.bendybodiespodcast.com/⁠⁠. YOUR bendy body is our highest priority!⁠⁠ Learn more about Human Content at ⁠⁠⁠http://www.human-content.com⁠⁠⁠ Podcast Advertising/Business Inquiries: ⁠⁠⁠sales@human-content.com⁠⁠⁠ Part of the Human Content Podcast Network FTC: This video is not sponsored. Links are commissionable, meaning I may earn commission from purchases made through links Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this emotionally charged episode, Dr. Linda Bluestein talks with Tilly Rose, the founder of That Oxford Girl and the author of Be Patient, about what it’s like to face palliative care as a young adult and come out the other side fighting for change. They explore how Tilly transformed her private pain into public advocacy, why chronic illness is so often misunderstood in young people, and what happens when you rewrite your identity in the face of a diagnosis. This is a story of resilience, reinvention, and the radical act of showing up when the world doesn’t know what to do with you. Takeaways What happens when a diagnosis rewrites your life story and how can you reclaim the pen? Tilly shares the moment that inspired Be Patient and the raw honesty behind turning medical trauma into a memoir. Learn how she balanced life at Oxford with hospital stays and how those parallel worlds reshaped her idea of “achievement.” Why do so many young people with chronic illness feel unseen and what does Tilly believe needs to change? Discover how That Oxford Girl evolved from a quiet act of self-expression into a global movement of validation, empathy, and empowerment. Tilly reveals why sharing her story became both a lifeline and a catalyst for a more compassionate future. Find the episode transcript here. References & Resources: Find all articles mentioned in this episode at bendybodiespodcast.com. Want more Tilly Rose? https://www.instagram.com/thattillyrose/?hl=en https://www.facebook.com/people/Tilly-Rose-Author/61575923876707/?_rdr https://www.linkedin.com/in/tillyrose/?originalSubdomain=uk https://www.tiktok.com/@thattillyrose?lang=en Want more Dr. Linda Bluestein, MD? Website: https://www.hypermobilitymd.com/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@bendybodiespodcast Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/hypermobilitymd/⁠⁠⁠⁠ Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/BendyBodiesPodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠ X: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://twitter.com/BluesteinLinda⁠⁠⁠⁠ LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/hypermobilitymd/⁠⁠⁠⁠ Newsletter: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://hypermobilitymd.substack.com/ Shop my Amazon store ⁠⁠⁠ https://www.amazon.com/shop/hypermobilitymd Dr. Bluestein's Recommended Herbs, Supplements and Care Necessities: https://us.fullscript.com/welcome/hypermobilitymd/store-start Thank YOU so much for tuning in. We hope you found this episode informative, inspiring, useful, validating, and enjoyable. Join us on the next episode for YOUR time to level up your knowledge about hypermobility disorders and the people who have them. Join YOUR Bendy Bodies community at ⁠⁠https://www.bendybodiespodcast.com/⁠⁠. YOUR bendy body is our highest priority!⁠⁠ Learn more about Human Content at ⁠⁠⁠http://www.human-content.com⁠⁠⁠ Podcast Advertising/Business Inquiries: ⁠⁠⁠sales@human-content.com⁠⁠⁠ Part of the Human Content Podcast Network FTC: This video is not sponsored. Links are commissionable, meaning I may earn commission from purchases made through links Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this eye-opening episode, Dr. Linda Bluestein speaks with Dr. Alexis Cutchins, a cardiologist passionate about uncovering missed and misunderstood diagnoses. One of those? Pelvic Venous Disease, a condition affecting countless patients but rarely identified. They explore how PVD can mimic or exacerbate conditions like dysautonomia, MCAS, and chronic pelvic pain and how many patients are left cycling through specialists without answers. From diagnostic challenges to emerging treatments, this episode will change the way you think about pelvic pain and complex multisystem illness. Find the episode transcript here. Have a question you’d like answered in Part 2 with Dr. Cutchins? Submit here! Resources mentioned: Learn more about Sheer Health WHO Oral Rehydration Salts Study Want more Dr. Alexis Cutchins? Find @drcutchins on Instagram and YouTube Want more Dr. Linda Bluestein, MD? Website: https://www.hypermobilitymd.com/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@bendybodiespodcast Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/hypermobilitymd/⁠⁠⁠⁠ Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/BendyBodiesPodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠ X: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://twitter.com/BluesteinLinda⁠⁠⁠⁠ LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/hypermobilitymd/⁠⁠⁠⁠ Newsletter: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://hypermobilitymd.substack.com/ Shop my Amazon store ⁠⁠⁠ https://www.amazon.com/shop/hypermobilitymd Dr. Bluestein's Recommended Herbs, Supplements and Care Necessities: https://us.fullscript.com/welcome/hypermobilitymd/store-start Thank YOU so much for tuning in. We hope you found this episode informative, inspiring, useful, validating, and enjoyable. Join us on the next episode for YOUR time to level up your knowledge about hypermobility disorders and the people who have them. Join YOUR Bendy Bodies community at ⁠⁠https://www.bendybodiespodcast.com/⁠⁠. YOUR bendy body is our highest priority!⁠⁠ Learn more about Human Content at ⁠⁠⁠http://www.human-content.com⁠⁠⁠ Podcast Advertising/Business Inquiries: ⁠⁠⁠sales@human-content.com⁠⁠⁠ Part of the Human Content Podcast Network FTC: This video is not sponsored. Links are commissionable, meaning I may earn commission from purchases made through links Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of Bendy Bodies, Dr. Linda Bluestein is joined by neurosurgeon and social media educator Dr. Betsy Grunch to tackle complex questions around spine health, chronic pain, and the unique challenges faced by people with hypermobility and connective tissue disorders like Ehlers-Danlos Syndromes (EDS). Together, they explore why “normal” MRIs don’t always tell the whole story, when surgery is (and isn’t) the right option, and how the healthcare system sometimes overlooks the needs of patients living with invisible or misunderstood conditions. Dr. Grunch shares what she’s seeing in the OR, what she’s hearing from patients online, and how she’s trying to change the narrative, one compassionate conversation at a time. Takeaways Dr. Grunch explains how patients can feel intense pain even when imaging appears "normal"—and why that doesn't mean the pain isn’t real. Learn why people with EDS or joint instability may need a different approach—and what surgeons should know before operating. Dr. Grunch talks about the importance of timing, accurate diagnosis, and avoiding unnecessary procedures when conservative options could work. From TikTok DMs to comment sections, Dr. Grunch shares how social media is reshaping her perspective on what patients need. Through open communication and education, Dr. Grunch offers a refreshing take on how specialists can avoid bias and embrace curiosity. Find the episode transcript here. References: Ep 137: https://www.bendybodiespodcast.com/signs-of-tethered-cord-you-shouldnt-ignore-with-dr-petra-klinge-ep-137/ Want more Dr. Betsy Grunch? https://www.x.com/ladyspinedoc https://www.instagram.com/ladyspinedoc https://www.facebook.com/ladyspinedoc https://www.youtube.com/@ladyspinedoc https://www.linkedin.com/in/drgrunch/ https://www.tiktok.com/@ladyspinedoc Want more Dr. Linda Bluestein, MD? Website: https://www.hypermobilitymd.com/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@bendybodiespodcast Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/hypermobilitymd/⁠⁠⁠⁠ Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/BendyBodiesPodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠ X: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://twitter.com/BluesteinLinda⁠⁠⁠⁠ LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/hypermobilitymd/⁠⁠⁠⁠ Newsletter: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://hypermobilitymd.substack.com/ Shop my Amazon store ⁠⁠⁠ https://www.amazon.com/shop/hypermobilitymd Dr. Bluestein's Recommended Herbs, Supplements and Care Necessities: https://us.fullscript.com/welcome/hypermobilitymd/store-start Thank YOU so much for tuning in. We hope you found this episode informative, inspiring, useful, validating, and enjoyable. Join us on the next episode for YOUR time to level up your knowledge about hypermobility disorders and the people who have them. Join YOUR Bendy Bodies community at ⁠⁠https://www.bendybodiespodcast.com/⁠⁠. YOUR bendy body is our highest priority!⁠⁠ Learn more about Human Content at ⁠⁠⁠http://www.human-content.com⁠⁠⁠ Podcast Advertising/Business Inquiries: ⁠⁠⁠sales@human-content.com⁠⁠⁠ Part of the Human Content Podcast Network FTC: This video is not sponsored. Links are commissionable, meaning I may earn commission from purchases made through links Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this empowering episode, Dr. Linda Bluestein is joined by OG Bendy Bodies cohost, Jennifer Milner.  Jen is a ballet coach, Pilates trainer, and specialist in working with hypermobile bodies. Together they explore why traditional movement cues don’t always work for bendy bodies, how dancers and athletes can train smarter (not harder), and what it really takes to move with strength when your body doesn’t follow the rules. From injury prevention to body awareness and emotional recovery, this conversation is a must-listen for anyone living in or coaching a flexible, fragile, or frequently misunderstood body. Takeaways What if the training cues you’ve always heard—like “pull your belly button in”—are actually setting hypermobile dancers up for injury? Could “engage your glutes” or other classic instructions be doing more harm than good for bendy bodies? Discover how Jennifer helps dancers feel in control of their limbs—even when movement feels disconnected or confusing. Why do so many talented performers burn out early, and how can mindset shifts and body literacy turn that story around? Learn what it really means to train with your body instead of fighting against it—especially when your body doesn’t follow the rules. Find the episode transcript here. References: Pointe Safe by SF Performing Arts PT, Dr. Kendall Alway https://www.sfperformingartspt.com/pointe-safe Pre-pointe Assessment, Lisa Howell https://theballetblog.com/blog/pointe-articles/pre-pointe-assessment/ Pointe Assessment Journal Article https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39723557/ Want more Jessica Milner? Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jennifer.milner/?hl=en Want more Dr. Linda Bluestein, MD? Website: https://www.hypermobilitymd.com/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@bendybodiespodcast Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/hypermobilitymd/⁠⁠⁠⁠ Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/BendyBodiesPodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠ X: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://twitter.com/BluesteinLinda⁠⁠⁠⁠ LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/hypermobilitymd/⁠⁠⁠⁠ Newsletter: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://hypermobilitymd.substack.com/ Shop my Amazon store ⁠⁠⁠ https://www.amazon.com/shop/hypermobilitymd Dr. Bluestein's Recommended Herbs, Supplements and Care Necessities: https://us.fullscript.com/welcome/hypermobilitymd/store-start Thank YOU so much for tuning in. We hope you found this episode informative, inspiring, useful, validating, and enjoyable. Join us on the next episode for YOUR time to level up your knowledge about hypermobility disorders and the people who have them. Join YOUR Bendy Bodies community at ⁠⁠https://www.bendybodiespodcast.com/⁠⁠. YOUR bendy body is our highest priority!⁠⁠ Learn more about Human Content at ⁠⁠⁠http://www.human-content.com⁠⁠⁠ Podcast Advertising/Business Inquiries: ⁠⁠⁠sales@human-content.com⁠⁠⁠ Part of the Human Content Podcast Network FTC: This video is not sponsored. Links are commissionable, meaning I may earn commission from purchases made through links Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this raw and reflective Office Hours episode, Dr. Linda Bluestein responds to listener feedback and dives deep into the cultural and clinical gaslighting faced by people, especially women, navigating complex health conditions. From the dismissal of perimenopause to the rise of so-called “TikTok diseases,” Dr. Bluestein explores the dangerous disconnect between lived experiences and clinical skepticism. She also unpacks a now-infamous comment involving tuna, and what it reveals about how the medical community sometimes chooses ridicule over reflection. This episode is equal parts fiery and thoughtful, a must-listen for anyone tired of being misunderstood. Find the episode transcript here. Additional Information: Red Flags: https://www.bendybodiespodcast.com/p/redflags/Bobby Jones CSF Together We Thrive Summit Lectures: https://bobbyjonescsf.org/i-am-patient/patient-conference/ Road to 2026: https://www.ehlers-danlos.com/road-to-2026/Registries:  Dysautonomia Project: https://thedysautonomiaproject.org/find-a-provider/ Dysautonomia International: https://dysautonomiainternational.org/page.php?ID=14Genetic Counselor Registry: https://abgc.learningbuilder.com/Search/Public/MemberRole/VerificationMy Webinar ‘Hypermobility – Diagnosis and Treatment in the MCAS patient’: https://shop.ehlers-danlos.org/product/dr-linda-bluestein-the-hypermobility-md-hypermobility-disorders-specialist/?utm_source=chatgpt.comMENS PMMS Approach: https://www.nursingcenter.com/cearticle?an=00587875-202304000-00001&Journal_ID=3402523&Issue_ID=6649307&utm_source=chatgpt.comCurbsiders Episode: Gluten, MTHFR, Mast Cells, and More | Office Hours (Ep 155): https://www.bendybodiespodcast.com/gluten-mthfr-mast-cells-and-more-office-hours-ep-155/?utm_source=chatgpt.comNIH article on mercury and mast cells: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC2850891/Dr. Mary Claire's Substack: https://open.substack.com/pub/drmaryclairehaver/p/what-nearly-1000-women-told-me-about?r=1vualn&utm_medium=iosTestosterone is Essential for Women with Dr. Kelly Casperson (Ep 131): https://www.bendybodiespodcast.com/testosterone-is-essential-for-women/Sex hormones and allergies: exploring the gender differences in immune responses: https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/allergy/articles/10.3389/falgy.2024.1483919/fullImpact of progesterone on the immune system in women: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10024519/ Want more Dr. Linda Bluestein, MD?Website:  https://www.hypermobilitymd.com/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@bendybodiespodcastInstagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/hypermobilitymd/⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/BendyBodiesPodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠X: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://twitter.com/BluesteinLinda⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/hypermobilitymd/⁠⁠⁠⁠Newsletter: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://hypermobilitymd.substack.com/Shop my Amazon store ⁠⁠⁠ https://www.amazon.com/shop/hypermobilitymdDr. Bluestein's Recommended Herbs, Supplements and Care Necessities: https://us.fullscript.com/welcome/hypermobilitymd/store-start Thank YOU so much for tuning in. We hope you found this episode informative, inspiring, useful, validating, and enjoyable. Join us on the next episode for YOUR time to level up your knowledge about hypermobility disorders and the people who have them. YOUR bendy body is our highest priority!⁠⁠ Join YOUR Bendy Bodies community at ⁠⁠⁠https://www.bendybodiespodcast.com/⁠⁠⁠. Learn more about Human Content at ⁠⁠⁠http://www.human-content.com⁠⁠⁠ Podcast Advertising/Business Inquiries: ⁠⁠⁠sales@human-content.com⁠⁠⁠ Part of the Human Content Podcast Network FTC: This video is not sponsored. Links are commissionable, meaning I may earn commission from purchases made through links Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Abdominal pain in EDS can be a puzzle with countless hidden pieces. In this episode, Dr. Linda Bluestein welcomes back Dr. Pradeep Chopra for part two of their exploration into gastrointestinal problems. Together, they uncover overlooked causes of abdominal pain, from drooping intestines and tethered spinal cords to mast cell activation and nerve entrapment. Listeners will hear surprising connections between the spine, bladder, ribs, and gut, with insights that could explain symptoms often dismissed or misunderstood. Takeaways: How intestines “dropping” into the pelvis complicate digestion and bladder function. Why tethered cord surgery may relieve unexpected symptoms, including GI issues. The overlooked role of mast cell activation in abdominal pain and food intolerances. How abdominal pain can actually begin in the ribs, nerves, or pelvic floor. Why abdominal migraines and CRPS challenge traditional medical thinking. Find the episode transcript here. Want more Dr. Pradeep Chopra? Website: ⁠⁠https://www.painri.com/⁠⁠Contact Dr. Chopra’s Office: ⁠⁠⁠snapa102@gmail.com Want more Dr. Linda Bluestein, MD? Website:  ⁠⁠⁠https://www.hypermobilitymd.com/⁠⁠⁠. YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠youtube.com/@bendybodiespodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠  Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/hypermobilitymd/⁠⁠⁠⁠  Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/BendyBodiesPodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠  X: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://twitter.com/BluesteinLinda⁠⁠⁠⁠  LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/hypermobilitymd/⁠⁠⁠⁠  Newsletter: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://hypermobilitymd.substack.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠ Shop my Amazon store ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.amazon.com/shop/hypermobilitymd⁠⁠⁠ To check out all of my favorite products, please click on this link: ⁠⁠https://www.hypermobilitymd.com/productswelove⁠ Thank YOU so much for tuning in. We hope you found this episode informative, inspiring, useful, validating, and enjoyable. Join us on the next episode for YOUR time to level up your knowledge about hypermobility disorders and the people who have them. Check out the following episodes to learn more: Find previous Bendy Bodies episodes featuring Dr. Pradeep Chopra here:https://www.bendybodiespodcast.com/guests/dr-pradeep-chopra/Find previous Bendy Bodies episodes featuring Dr. Theoharis Theoharides here:https://www.bendybodiespodcast.com/guests/theoharis-theoharide/Hidden Causes of Pain ‘Down There’ with Dr. Andrew Goldstein (Ep 148):https://www.bendybodiespodcast.com/hidden-causes-of-pain-down-there-with-dr-andrew-goldstein-ep-148/Hidden Causes of Painful Sex with Dr. Irwin Goldstein & Sue Goldstein (Ep 130): https://www.bendybodiespodcast.com/hidden-causes-of-painful-sex-ep-130/Slipping Rib Surgery in EDS with Adam Hansen, MD: https://www.bendybodiespodcast.com/videos/84-slipping-rib-surgery-in-eds-with-adam-hansen-md/Testosterone is Essential for Women with Dr. Kelly Casperson (Ep 131) https://www.bendybodiespodcast.com/testosterone-is-essential-for-women/Signs of Tethered Cord You Shouldn’t Ignore with Dr. Petra Klinge (Ep 137): https://www.bendybodiespodcast.com/signs-of-tethered-cord-you-shouldnt-ignore-with-dr-petra-klinge-ep-137/Why Do Some GI Problems Hide from Every Test? with Dr. Zachary Spiritos (Ep 153): https://www.bendybodiespodcast.com/why-do-some-gi-problems-hide-from-every-test-ep-153/ Join YOUR Bendy Bodies community at ⁠⁠⁠https://www.bendybodiespodcast.com/⁠⁠⁠. YOUR bendy body is our highest priority!⁠⁠⁠⁠ Learn more about Human Content at ⁠⁠⁠⁠http://www.human-content.com⁠⁠⁠⁠ Podcast Advertising/Business Inquiries: ⁠⁠⁠⁠sales@human-content.com⁠⁠⁠⁠ Part of the Human Content Podcast Network FTC: This video is not sponsored. Links are commissionable, meaning I may earn commission from purchases made through links Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In honor of Pain Awareness Month, I wanted to share an episode of one of my favorite healthcare podcasts, “Knock Knock Hi with the Glaucomfleckens.” In this interview from last July, Will and Kristin Flanary (AKA Dr. and Lady Glaucomflecken) kindly invited me on to talk about my journey from ballet to anesthesiology to integrative pain care, and how hypermobility and chronic pain are often overlooked or misunderstood in both medicine and everyday life. Listen to more episodes of “Knock Knock, Hi! with the Glaucomfleckens” wherever you get your podcasts, or watch on YouTube. https://www.human-content.com/kkh Bendy Bodies, alongside Knock Knock Hi with the Glaucomfleckens, is a proud part of the Human Content Podcast Network Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this informative and eye-opening episode, Dr. Linda Bluestein sits down with foot and ankle surgeon Dr. Patrick Agnew, who specializes in treating patients with joint hypermobility and connective tissue disorders like Ehlers-Danlos Syndromes. Together, they explore why lower extremity pain and dysfunction are so common and often misunderstood in EDS and HSD (Hypermobility Spectrum Disorders). From failed orthotics to unnecessary surgeries, they break down the biggest foot myths and offer practical advice for building stability, choosing footwear, and getting the right help before things spiral. This conversation will change the way you walk, literally and metaphorically. Takeaways Patrick Agnew explains why the “fallen arch” theory doesn’t always apply to hypermobile bodies and what to focus on instead. Learn when foot surgery helps, when it hurts, and why many EDS patients should think twice before going under the knife. Not all orthotics are created equal. Agnew shares why many fail—and how to find support that works with (not against) your anatomy. Chronic ankle injuries may signal more than weakness—they could be your body’s way of screaming for a new approach. Forget the trends. Discover how to pick footwear that supports your unique structure without creating more dysfunction. Find the episode transcript here. Want more Dr. Patrick Agnew? YT: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sPTK1lhGuP0⁠ FB: ⁠https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100068257805669 Want more Dr. Linda Bluestein, MD? Website:  ⁠⁠https://www.hypermobilitymd.com/⁠⁠. YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠youtube.com/@bendybodiespodcast⁠⁠⁠  Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/hypermobilitymd/⁠⁠⁠  Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/BendyBodiesPodcast⁠⁠⁠  X: ⁠⁠⁠https://twitter.com/BluesteinLinda⁠⁠⁠  LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/hypermobilitymd/⁠⁠⁠  Newsletter: ⁠⁠⁠https://hypermobilitymd.substack.com/⁠⁠⁠ Shop my Amazon store ⁠⁠⁠https://www.amazon.com/shop/hypermobilitymd⁠⁠ To check out all of my favorite products, please click on this link: ⁠https://www.hypermobilitymd.com/productswelove Thank YOU so much for tuning in. We hope you found this episode informative, inspiring, useful, validating, and enjoyable. Join us on the next episode for YOUR time to level up your knowledge about hypermobility disorders and the people who have them. Join YOUR Bendy Bodies community at ⁠⁠https://www.bendybodiespodcast.com/⁠⁠. YOUR bendy body is our highest priority!⁠⁠ Learn more about Human Content at ⁠⁠⁠http://www.human-content.com⁠⁠⁠ Podcast Advertising/Business Inquiries: ⁠⁠⁠sales@human-content.com⁠⁠⁠ Part of the Human Content Podcast Network FTC: This video is not sponsored. Links are commissionable, meaning I may earn commission from purchases made through links Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dr. Audrey Kershaw returns to chat with Dr. Linda Bluestein and demystify wisdom tooth extraction, appliances for TMJ disorder, and everyday oral health habits for people with EDS/HSD. We cover when third molars should be removed (and when they shouldn’t), why local anesthetic can fail in some patients, how to approach dental procedures when CCI (craniocervical instability) is a concern, and what truly drives gum disease vs “EDS-specific” issues. We also address periodontal EDS (a rare subtype), toothpaste choices (fluoride vs hydroxyapatite vs chelators), and the surprisingly powerful habit of “spit, don’t rinse.” Stay to the end for practical Hypermobility Hacks you can implement tonight. Takeaways Is wisdom teeth surgery happening too often… or dangerously too late? What if the biggest risk during oral surgery isn’t the tooth—but how your neck is positioned? Why do some people with EDS feel every cut and drill—even after “getting numb”? Could one cheap hack—“spit, don’t rinse”—protect your teeth better than $30 toothpaste? Are sharks hiding the secret to stronger enamel in your bathroom cabinet? Find the episode transcript here. References: 2012 Paper- The effects of NICE guidelines on the management of third molar teeth: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22955790/ 2020 RCS Guidelines on Third Molars: https://www.rcseng.ac.uk/-/media/files/rcs/fds/guidelines/3rd-molar-guidelines--april-2021-v2.pdf AAOMS Guidelines on Third Molar Management: https://aaoms.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/management_third_molar_white_paper.pdf Bendy Bodies Podcast on Preparing for Surgery with Linda Bluestein, MD: https://www.bendybodiespodcast.com/58-preparing-for-surgery-with-linda-bluestein-md/ GIRFT RCS TMD Document: https://remedy.bnssg.icb.nhs.uk/media/omvphznu/tmd-patient-support-document-march-2024-1.pdf Dr. Mike Harrison’s Talk on EDS Support UK: https://www.ehlers-danlos.org/information/webinar-with-dr-mike-harrison-on-why-dental-issues-occur-with-connective-tissue-disorder/ EDS and Dental Issues Talk by Ines and Ulrike: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lsf0YEeps5c&t=65s EDS Society on Periodontal EDS: https://www.ehlers-danlos.com/peds/ Austrian Conversation on pEDS (PubMed): https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28836281/ Genetics Home Reference on Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome: https://ghr.nlm.nih.gov/condition/ehlers-danlos-syndrome#statistics Perioperative Care in Patients with Ehlers Danlos Syndromes (SCIRP): https://www.scirp.org/journal/paperinformation?paperid=97524 Want more Dr. Audrey Kershaw? Facebook: ⁠https://www.facebook.com/audrey.kershaw.3⁠ Want more Dr. Linda Bluestein, MD? Website:  ⁠⁠https://www.hypermobilitymd.com/⁠⁠. YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠youtube.com/@bendybodiespodcast⁠⁠⁠  Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/hypermobilitymd/⁠⁠⁠  Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/BendyBodiesPodcast⁠⁠⁠  X: ⁠⁠⁠https://twitter.com/BluesteinLinda⁠⁠⁠  LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/hypermobilitymd/⁠⁠⁠  Newsletter: ⁠⁠⁠https://hypermobilitymd.substack.com/⁠⁠⁠ Shop my Amazon store ⁠⁠⁠https://www.amazon.com/shop/hypermobilitymd⁠⁠ To check out all of my favorite products, please click on this link: ⁠⁠https://www.hypermobilitymd.com/productswelove Thank YOU so much for tuning in. We hope you found this episode informative, inspiring, useful, validating, and enjoyable. Join us on the next episode for YOUR time to level up your knowledge about hypermobility disorders and the people who have them. Join YOUR Bendy Bodies community at ⁠⁠https://www.bendybodiespodcast.com/⁠⁠. YOUR bendy body is our highest priority!⁠⁠ Learn more about Human Content at ⁠⁠⁠http://www.human-content.com⁠⁠⁠ Podcast Advertising/Business Inquiries: ⁠⁠⁠sales@human-content.com⁠⁠⁠ Part of the Human Content Podcast Network FTC: This video is not sponsored. Links are commissionable, meaning I may earn commission from purchases made through links Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dr. Linda Bluestein is joined by award-winning psychiatrist and author Dr. Shimi Kang to explore a radical, yet intuitive concept: that play, creativity, and rest aren’t luxuries - they’re medicine. In a world where high-achievers and neurodivergent thinkers are pushed to exhaustion, Dr. Kang unpacks how this cultural mindset leads to burnout, inflammation, and chronic illness. Drawing from both cutting-edge neuroscience and her own clinical experience, she offers practical tools to help listeners regulate their nervous systems, reconnect with joy, and reclaim their health. If you've ever felt overwhelmed, misunderstood, or stuck in survival mode, this episode will reframe everything. Takeaways - Discover the surprising connection between neurodivergence and hypermobility that could redefine your understanding of chronic illness.   - Burnout isn’t just in your head—uncover the biological triggers that shut your system down and what you can do about it.   - Curious about how play can rewire your nervous system? This episode reveals its unexpected power to transform your well-being.   - Could "dolphin parenting" be the secret to breaking free from the stress of overachievement? Tune in to find out!   - Forget control—learn why embracing curiosity might just be the game-changer you need for true healing. Find the episode transcript here. Want more Dr. Shimi Kang? Twitter/X: ⁠https://x.com/drshimikang⁠ Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/drshimikang/?hl=en⁠ Facebook: ⁠https://www.facebook.com/drshimikang/⁠ Youtube: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCfqNKUKkxgM8M7Psn2f8fPA⁠ Linkedin: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/drshimikang/?originalSubdomain=ca⁠ Want more Dr. Linda Bluestein, MD? Website:  ⁠⁠https://www.hypermobilitymd.com/⁠⁠. YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠youtube.com/@bendybodiespodcast⁠⁠⁠  Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/hypermobilitymd/⁠⁠⁠  Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/BendyBodiesPodcast⁠⁠⁠  X: ⁠⁠⁠https://twitter.com/BluesteinLinda⁠⁠⁠  LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/hypermobilitymd/⁠⁠⁠  Newsletter: ⁠⁠⁠https://hypermobilitymd.substack.com/⁠⁠⁠ Shop my Amazon store ⁠⁠⁠https://www.amazon.com/shop/hypermobilitymd⁠⁠⁠ To check out all of my affiliate accounts, please click on this link: https://www.hypermobilitymd.com/productswelove Thank YOU so much for tuning in. We hope you found this episode informative, inspiring, useful, validating, and enjoyable. Join us on the next episode for YOUR time to level up your knowledge about hypermobility disorders and the people who have them. Join YOUR Bendy Bodies community at ⁠⁠https://www.bendybodiespodcast.com/⁠⁠. YOUR bendy body is our highest priority!⁠⁠ Learn more about Human Content at ⁠⁠⁠http://www.human-content.com⁠⁠⁠ Podcast Advertising/Business Inquiries: ⁠⁠⁠sales@human-content.com⁠⁠⁠ Part of the Human Content Podcast Network FTC: This video is not sponsored. Links are commissionable, meaning I may earn commission from purchases made through links Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

After a wave of passionate listener feedback sparked intense conversations behind the scenes, The Bendy Bodies Podcast returns with a candid and heartfelt follow-up. In this episode, Dr. Linda Bluestein is joined by author and communications expert Kate Colbert to openly address the concerns raised about recent content and to set the record straight. From questions about language and lived experience to the emotional cost of being misunderstood, Dr. Bluestein and Kate hold nothing back. Together, they unpack what went wrong, what they stand by, and what they’ll do differently moving forward. This is the episode that proves growth is messy, but worth it. Takeaways What sparked intense pushback from listeners this season Why language matters more than ever in the chronic illness community Why science isn't always black and white  The frustrations of medical and scientific uncertainty   What happens when a podcast decides to grow in public Find the episode transcript here. Want more Kate Colbert? Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/katecolbert/ Want more Dr. Linda Bluestein, MD? Website:  ⁠⁠https://www.hypermobilitymd.com/⁠⁠. YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠youtube.com/@bendybodiespodcast⁠⁠⁠  Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/hypermobilitymd/⁠⁠⁠  Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/BendyBodiesPodcast⁠⁠⁠  X: ⁠⁠⁠https://twitter.com/BluesteinLinda⁠⁠⁠  LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/hypermobilitymd/⁠⁠⁠  Newsletter: ⁠⁠⁠https://hypermobilitymd.substack.com/⁠⁠⁠ Shop my Amazon store ⁠⁠⁠https://www.amazon.com/shop/hypermobilitymd⁠⁠⁠ Thank YOU so much for tuning in. We hope you found this episode informative, inspiring, useful, validating, and enjoyable. Join us on the next episode for YOUR time to level up your knowledge about hypermobility disorders and the people who have them. Join YOUR Bendy Bodies community at ⁠⁠https://www.bendybodiespodcast.com/⁠⁠. YOUR bendy body is our highest priority! Use this affiliate link for Algonot to get an extra 5% off your entire order: ⁠⁠https://algonot.com/coupon/bendbod/⁠⁠ Learn more about Human Content at ⁠⁠⁠http://www.human-content.com⁠⁠⁠ Podcast Advertising/Business Inquiries: ⁠⁠⁠sales@human-content.com⁠⁠⁠ Part of the Human Content Podcast Network FTC: This video is not sponsored. Links are commissionable, meaning I may earn commission from purchases made through links Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In the season five finale of the Bendy Bodies Podcast, Dr. Linda Bluestein reflects on powerful listener feedback and opens up important conversations about language, intent, and identity in medicine. She clarifies the purpose behind episodes on pain neuroscience and mast cells in autism, acknowledges the concerns raised, and discusses the fine line between supporting physiology and honoring identity. She also addresses concerns raised about the neuroplasticity episode, reaffirming that the intent was never to minimize anyone’s pain or suggest a one‑size‑fits‑all approach. Instead, the goal was to share information that some may find empowering while honoring the reality and validity of every person’s experience.  Dr. Bluestein also revisits the ongoing “Road to 2026” diagnostic criteria update for hEDS (hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome), highlighting why labels matter for some patients and not for others. This wrap-up episode closes the season with transparency, humility, and a call for continued dialogue in the community. Takeaways Why pain is always real—even when labeled “non-structural” How mast cell research intersects with autism without erasing identity Why a hEDS diagnosis matters for some patients—but not for all What the upcoming 2026 hEDS criteria changes could mean for the community How listener feedback shapes the future of Bendy Bodies Find the episode transcipt here. Want more Dr. Linda Bluestein, MD? Website:  ⁠⁠https://www.hypermobilitymd.com/⁠⁠. YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠youtube.com/@bendybodiespodcast⁠⁠⁠  Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/hypermobilitymd/⁠⁠⁠  Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/BendyBodiesPodcast⁠⁠⁠  X: ⁠⁠⁠https://twitter.com/BluesteinLinda⁠⁠⁠  LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/hypermobilitymd/⁠⁠⁠  Newsletter: ⁠⁠⁠https://hypermobilitymd.substack.com/⁠⁠⁠ Shop my Amazon store ⁠⁠⁠https://www.amazon.com/shop/hypermobilitymd⁠⁠⁠ Thank YOU so much for tuning in. We hope you found this episode informative, inspiring, useful, validating, and enjoyable. Join us on the next episode for YOUR time to level up your knowledge about hypermobility disorders and the people who have them. Join YOUR Bendy Bodies community at ⁠⁠https://www.bendybodiespodcast.com/⁠⁠. YOUR bendy body is our highest priority! Use this affiliate link for Algonot to get an extra 5% off your entire order: ⁠⁠https://algonot.com/coupon/bendbod/⁠⁠ FTC: This video is not sponsored. Links are commissionable, meaning I may earn commission from purchases made through links Learn more about Human Content at ⁠⁠⁠http://www.human-content.com⁠⁠⁠ Podcast Advertising/Business Inquiries: ⁠⁠⁠sales@human-content.com⁠⁠⁠ Part of the Human Content Podcast Network Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices