If you’re hypermobile or have been told you might have EDS or a hypermobility spectrum disorder, you may have noticed a pattern: Pain that doesn’t fully make sense based on imaging Dizziness, fatigue, or “weird body symptoms” Feeling stuck in fight-or-flight Symptoms that flare with stress, illness, or lack of sleep A history of injuries that seem to linger longer than expected You might also have heard that the nervous system or trauma plays a role, which can feel confusing

According to a Neuro-Focused, Integrative Physical Therapist When someone asks me, “What’s the best treatment for hypermobility?” I often feel a little apologetic in my response. While I know some fun, effective neuro tricks that can help people feel more stable quickly (tongue exercises, anyone?), the real solution for managing hypermobility takes work, and unfortunately is not a quick fix. What Is Hypermobility? Hypermobility is a spectrum that describes joints that move b

In recent years, "nervous system regulation" has become more than just a buzzword—it's a crucial approach to managing our overall health and well-being. But what exactly does it mean, and where do you begin? What Is Your Nervous System? The nervous system comprises of your brain, spinal cord, and nerves. Its job is to process and respond to the information brought in through your senses. It governs everything from your thoughts and emotions to automatic functions like breathi

Whether you are training for a marathon or your goal is to get out of a chair easier, it is common to hit a point where progress has slowed down or even halted prior to reaching your goals. The dreaded training plateau can be even more frustrating if you are struggling with pain, dizziness, or any other unwanted physical symptom. In these cases, finding ways to continue to challenge your body and get stronger can be extra tricky. Time to get creative! Understanding the differ

Guest blog post by Charlottesville Somatic Experiencing Practitioner, Desiree Cafaro

Less Pain and Better Movement. Dry Needling is a specialized therapeutic intervention offered by some physical therapists. It is usually offered as part of a comprehensive approach to managing pain or movement dysfunction and is growing in popularity due to its level and speed of effectiveness, short downtime, and tolerance to treatment. Our current understanding of how dry needling works is that it changes the way the muscles communicate with the brain AND how the brain comm

And how to use it to combat pain and dizziness If you suffer from recurrent pain or dizziness, read on. This principle may be the missing link to your success. What Is Brain Retraining And Why Do We Need It? Brain Retraining is an umbrella term to encompass practices that use neuroplasticity to literally change our brains. ( learn more about neuroplasticity here ). Brain retraining can improve communication within the brain and nervous system. It can be used to enhance how t

Commonly Missed Factors That Stall Healing If you have a long-standing injury or chronic pain that is not resolving, this list is for you. Put on your detective hat because it may be time to evaluate other factors that are limiting your ability to heal. The following are some of the lifestyle and health categories which may contribute to tissue healing and symptoms: 1. Poor Stress Management This may be the number 1 factor of poor healing and getting stuck in a pain-tension c

If you suffer from chronic or recurrent dizziness, you may have noticed that allergy season can kick up some symptoms. This post will serve as a treasure trove of actionable tip so that you can stay feeling your best and doing the things you love.   1. Keep Moving! As long as movement is safe for you, some form of movement can help lessen symptoms and in the right dosages, send signals of safety to your brain - even on the most dizzy days. For people with chronic or recurrent

Learn what mind-body physical therapy is and how it is integral to healing from dizziness and chronic pain.

How do I Know if my Balance is Getting Worse? Like muscle strength, if you don’t use it, you lose it. When we don’t continue to challenge our balance systems, they can start to function sub-optimally over time. This can lead to feeling clumsy, tripping over your feet, and even lead to falls.   There are 3 main balance systems that keep us balanced:   Vestibular (inner ear) Somatosensory (sense of touch) Visual (eye sight)   Physical therapists have a myriad of tests they

Hypermobility simply means a joint that goes beyond the average range of motion - for example, someone who stands with hyperextended knees or “double jointed” elbows. Recent increased awareness around this topic has shown that hypermobility is more common than previously thought. Some estimate 1 in 10 people present as hypermobile. Although everyone with increased mobility does not experience pain, a percentage of this group do suffer from chronic or recurring pain - aptly l

What is Neuroplasticity? Neuro refers to the nervous system (brain, spinal cord, and nerves) and plasticity is the ability to change. So the simplest definition of neuroplasticity is the nervous system’s ability to change. We all have this ability, but it is well-known that our ability to mold and create new connections in the brain is greatest as a baby and diminishes throughout life. But please do not get discouraged. We can tap into our body’s plasticity at any age and e

Ever wonder why Weight Watchers and AA are so successful? A big key to their popularity and success is Accountability . We’ve all been there. New Years rolls around. We aren’t happy with our health (or finances, mindset, etc.) so we make a resolution. The statistics vary, but success rates range from about 9%-25%, and there is a strong correlation between length of goal and chances of obtaining it. In other words, set a goal for a week, you have good chances of achieving it.

So you’ve read as many blogs, watched as many You tube videos, and listened to as many well-meaning people’s advice as you could. You are ready for some professional assistance to get you to the next level. Whether you are going down the physical therapy or wellness track, this one-on-one fitness model is a step in the right direction that could ultimately save you time, money, and pain. If you are working with House of Balance Integrative Health and PT, there are 4 main part