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Hypermobility Spectrum Disorder & Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome

Care for bodies that bend, bruise, or tire very easily.

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What's Hypermobility?

The AHC Hypermobility Program

Our program aims to help you establish a ‘normal day’ or return to work, university or school, and day to day life. Through pacing and gradual return to activity, we are able to slowly and confidently build your capacity, without increasing your symptoms. 

 

We know this journey is a bit rocky so we give you the skills to deal with any future hurdles, through better understanding your capacity and triggers, to setback planning, symptom mapping and providing you with a therapy manual you can turn to in times of need.

- Nathan Butler

Founder, Active Health Clinic

Behind the Scenes with Our Hypermobility Experts
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What is the Program?

You'll be in good hands with our expert Exercise Physiologists, Dietitians and Occupational Therapists.

1:1 Sessions

You'll be in good hands with our expert Exercise Physiologists, Dietitians and Occupational Therapists.

8-12 sessions

We aim to build out all your tools for your toolkit to better manage your conditions, for some this is a few sessions, and others it can be longer term support. 

Go at your own pace

Join wherever works best from you. We can support you in-person at any of our clinics, or online via telehealth.

Most people space their sessions over 6–18 months.

Your Program, Tailored to You
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Your recovery program covers:

EDS/HSD neurophysiology and pathophysiology

Common comorbidities and management strategies (as applicable)

Pacing strategies (physically, mentally, socially, environmentally, emotionally)

Identifying the demands of your activity and your capacity (using a variety of tools eg. heart rate monitors, heart rate variability and activity diaries)

Setting an appropriate and safe movement/exercise routine (if/when applicable)

Trigger identification and modification

Symptom mapping

Goal setting and forward planning daily activities

Causes of sleep disturbances and techniques to help with sleep (if applicable)

Stress and anxiety management (if applicable)

Addressing nutritional needs (if applicable)

OI/POTS management (if applicable)

Sensitisation and pain education (if applicable)

Mindfulness techniques and management (if applicable)

Screening for other invisible illnesses such as Mast Cell Activation Syndrome (MCAS), OI/POTS, ME/CFS, 

Nutrition Support for EDS and HSD

Helping Your Body Feel Heard
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If you live with Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS) or Hypermobility Spectrum Disorder (HSD), you're likely experiencing a variety of symptoms all across your body - including your gut. Things like difficulty swallowing, reflux, nausea, early satiety, bloating, abdominal pain, constipation or diarrhoea can make daily life a little challenging.

You’re not alone. These symptoms are very common.

We understand the links between HSD and EDS and the gastrointestinal system, and are extremely versed in explaining all the little intricacies which can impact your ability to consume food. 

 

Through our program, You'll gain access to a wealth of experience, expertise, tools, frameworks and direct dietetics support. You can feel confident managing your symptoms in the short term, while building long-term habits that support your body’s nutritional needs.

How Our Dietitians Can Support You With Hypermobility and EDS

Strategies to assist with the management of gastrointestinal symptoms - using food based approaches and/or other nervous system based strategies.

Support with weight restoration, stability and maintenance, when appropriate.

Understanding appetite and support with regular eating to support nutritional adequacy.

Support with making food more accessible and fatigue friendly

Eating patterns to improve energy levels and support overall wellbeing.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a referral? 

A referral isn't always necessary however may impact on your ability to get a rebate - speak to our friendly reception staff and they can help you.

How much does the program cost?

Hypermobility and Ehlers-Danlos Syndromes (EDS) can present in very different ways.

 

Because of this, our programs are tailored to how your condition manifests, and hence, the costs vary based on the support needed. 

 

For program costs and information about available rebates, please give us a call!

03 9878 5394

What if I can't get to your clinic?

Our clinics are located in Blackburn, Mornington, Bendigo & Essendon, Victoria, however, all services are offered via telehealth also.

Who will I be working with?

You’ll be supported by a team that truly understands Hypermobility and EDS. 

 

Our clinicians include exercise physiologists, dietitians, and physical therapists. All are fully qualified, and most have experienced in managing some form of invisible illness themselves.

Start Your Recovery Journey

1. Tell Us Your Story

A no-pressure call where we get to know you, your symptoms, and listen to your journey

2. Get a Personalised Plan

We design a custom support plan based on your needs. It might include a thorough assessment, dietetic care, pacing tools, movement therapy and other services.

3. Own Your Journey

You’ll work with trusted clinicians, online or in-person, at a pace that works for your body

Tell Us Your Story Today!

Schedule Call

03 9878 5394

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What is Hypermobility

Hypermobility refers to joints that move beyond a normal range of motion. Some people are naturally more flexible, but when joint hypermobility causes pain, fatigue, or frequent injuries, it can be part of a broader spectrum of conditions.

If you’re living with joint hypermobility, pain, stretchy skin or symptoms that don’t seem to fit one clear diagnosis, you might be navigating a connective tissue condition like Hypermobility Spectrum Disorder (HSD) or Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS). Here’s how they show up and what they often come with.

Common presentations

Understanding EDS: The Basics

The Ehlers-Danlos syndromes (EDS) constitute a collection of 13 inheritable disorders related to connective tissue. These disorders stem from genetic mutations impacting connective tissue integrity. Each EDS type displays unique characteristics outlined by specific diagnostic benchmarks, with the most common type being Hypermobile EDS (hEDS). 

Common characteristics include joint hypermobility, skin pliancy, and tissue frailty which are consistently present across all variants of EDS.

Understanding HSD: When Flexibility Becomes a Challenge

Hypermobility Spectrum Disorders (HSD) encompass a group of connective tissue conditions characterised by excessive joint flexibility, leading to joint instability, susceptibility to injuries, and discomfort. Additionally, individuals with HSD frequently experience a range of associated health concerns such as fatigue, headaches, gastrointestinal disturbances, and dysfunction of the autonomic nervous system.

Co-Morbidities

When It’s More Than Just One Condition

Individuals with Ehlers-Danlos syndromes (EDS) and Hypermobile Spectrum Disorder (HSD) often experience a range of comorbidities, which are additional medical conditions that can coexist alongside EDS or HSD. 

Some common comorbidities associated with EDS and HSD include Chronic pain, Dysautonomia, Gastrointestinal issues, Cardiovascular issues (not common in HSD), Chiari Malformation (common in Cranio-cervical instability), headache and/or migraines, joint hypermobility resulting in dislocations and subluxations, fatigue, depression and anxiety, Mast Cell Activation Syndrome, and joint degeneration.

It's important to note that the presence and severity of comorbidities can vary widely among individuals with different types of EDS and HSD. Management typically involves a multidisciplinary approach with specialists in areas such as genetics, rheumatology, pain management, cardiology, and physical therapy.

 

We often work with:

Benign Joint Hypermobility Syndrome (BJHS) – hypermobility without a known genetic cause but with associated symptoms like pain or instability

Hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (hEDS) – a genetic connective tissue disorder where hypermobility is one of many symptoms, along with fragile skin, chronic pain, and fatigue. As well as the other variants of EDS.

Other connective tissue disorders – including Marfan syndrome or Loeys-Dietz syndrome, which can also affect flexibility

Are You Missing a Diagnosis?

This quick, free tool was built to help people with complex symptoms connect the dots. It's not a diagnosis, but it might just give you clarity on what to look into next.

Our programs are tailored to YOUR symptoms

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

ME/CFS, Post-Viral Conditions, Long Covid, Autoimmune & Neurological related fatigue

Learn More

Hypermobility & Connective Tissue Disorders

Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS), Hypermobility Spectrum Disorder (HSD)

Learn More

Pain Syndromes

Fibromyalgia, Chronic Regional Pain Syndrome, Rheumatoid Arthritis

Learn More

Sleep 
Disorders

Narcolepsy, Idiopathic Hypersomnia

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Dysautonomia

Orthostatic Intolerance (OI), Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS)

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Mast Cell Disorders

Mast Cell Activation Syndrome (MCAS), Mastocytosis

Long COVID

ME/CFS, Post-Viral Conditions, Long Covid, Autoimmune & Neurological related fatigue, Fibromyalgia

Learn More

Associated Diet Conditions

Gastroparesis, Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD), Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), MCAS, Eating Disorders, MALS

Learn More

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