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Ehlers Danlos Syndrome Treatment
Dr. Jill Wright specialized in the treatment of Ehlers Danlos Syndrome with Upper Cervical Chiropractic Care in Atlanta, GA. Dr. Jill Wright is herself a patient with this condition. Since her diagnosis, she has been learning as much as she can about EDS and how to treat it. She is constantly exploring new modalities and treatment options for herself and would love to share what she has learned along her journey. If you would like to learn more, please set up a consultation with Dr. Wright.
What is Ehlers Danlos Syndrome?
Ehlers Danlos Syndrome (EDS) is a group of genetic connective tissue disorders and is often misdiagnosed. Common signs of EDS include joint hypermobility, frequent dislocations and/or subluxations, skin fragility, and joint pain; however, there are many ways this condition can manifest, making it especially difficult to recognize. Connective tissue, specifically collagen, creates building blocks for the physical structures throughout the human body. This means connective tissue helps build the ligaments, tendons, bones, cartilage, blood vessels, eyes, lungs, gastrointestinal tract, hair, skin, nails, etc. Connective tissues do exactly that: connect! Nearly all parts of the human body need connecting and that's why collagen is so important. With so many tissues involving collagen, EDS can predispose patients to a variety of seemingly unrelated symptoms.
One of the most debilitating parts of EDS is chronic joint pain and subluxations. It is common for people who have EDS to subluxate a rib when sneezing too hard, or misalign their neck by sleeping in the wrong position. As a result, people with EDS often find themselves in and out of doctor’s offices, physical therapy, and emergency rooms seeking help and pain relief.
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What's with all of the zebras? Imagine that you can't see and that you find yourself needing to name the animal you are touching. You feel its face, its hooves, its fur, its mane, and its tail. If you guessed it was a horse, you would be correct the vast majority of the time. This is the assumption that most doctors treat their patients, and most of the time, they are correct with their assumption. EDS patients are special. By touch, a zebra and a horse feel nearly identical. The only way to tell them apart is by their coloration. It is for this reason that many people with EDS can go undiagnosed for years and seemingly find no answers.
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Dr. Wright specializes in working with the Ehlers Danlos community, as she was diagnosed with the condition herself. She knows how it feels to have aches, pains, and symptoms that most doctors don't understand. Call or email info@evolveatl.net and set up a consultation with Dr. Wright to see if she can help you finally get some answers!
Natural Treatment of Ehlers Danlos Syndrome
Ehlers Danlos Syndrome is a complex condition requiring very specialized treatment plans that are unique to each individual. Our doctors specialize in multiple gentle chiropractic techniques that can help you find relief and healing.
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The EDS Community is divided on whether chiropractic care should be part of their treatment. On one hand, people believe it is a necessity to find pain relief for their EDS symptoms and, on the other, the thought of having your hypermobile neck cracked is terrifying. Conventional chiropractic manipulative techniques are contraindicated, meaning not recommended by doctors, for patients with EDS. For people who are prone to ligament laxity and instability in their neck, a traditional chiropractic manipulation can cause more frequent misalignment of the neck bones, muscle spasms, and pain. So what should an EDS patient do? Is chiropractic care a viable option?
Fortunately, not all methods of chiropractic require twisting, popping, or cracking. Upper cervical chiropractic offers a safe and gentle way to correct spinal misalignments. The light pressure and precise nature of the upper cervical adjustment do not stretch the ligaments or risk increasing neck instability. With restored spinal alignment, patients experience a decrease in muscle spasms and pain. Proper upper cervical alignment also creates decreased pressure on the spinal cord and on the vertebral arteries (blood vessels that feed the brain) allowing proper blood and CSF (Cerebrospinal Fluid) flow. As a result, many other common symptoms of EDS such as brain fog, fatigue, headaches, and dizziness can also be reduced by an upper cervical adjustment.
There are many health professionals and different forms of care that are necessary to help an EDS patient with lifestyle management. Since the EDS patient has many body systems affected by the syndrome, they need just as many forms of care and guidance to address each one. While no specific treatment can cure EDS, each offers essential benefits. Consistent and proper upper cervical management can decrease stress on the nervous system, allowing an EDS patient to experience dramatic pain relief. This, in turn, can provide them with more energy and the ability to focus on other forms of lifestyle management.