Ehlers Danlos Syndrome in Springfield VA

Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS) is not just “being flexible.”

It is a genetic connective tissue disorder that causes the ligaments, joints, blood vessels, and even internal organs to be too elastic to properly support the body.

This leads to:

• Chronic pain
• Joint instability
• Frequent injuries
• Fatigue
• Autonomic dysfunction

And a lifetime of being told “everything looks normal.”

At Thrive Integrative Health, we specialize in stabilizing hypermobile bodies and calming dysregulated nervous systems, helping Springfield VA patients with EDS move, function, and live with less pain and more control.

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What Is Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome?

EDS is a group of inherited disorders that affect collagen, the protein that gives structure to:

• Ligaments
• Tendons
• Skin
• Blood vessels
• Organs

When collagen is faulty, the body becomes:

Too stretchy to be stable.

The most common form is Hypermobile EDS (hEDS).

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Common EDS Symptoms

• Joint hypermobility
• Frequent sprains, dislocations, or subluxations
• Chronic joint and muscle pain
• Neck and back instability
• Headaches or migraines
• Dizziness or fainting (POTS)
• Fatigue
• Digestive problems
• Poor wound healing
• Brain fog
• Anxiety and nervous system hypersensitivity

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Why EDS Is So Hard to Diagnose

EDS doesn’t show up on:

• X-rays
• MRIs
• CT scans

Because it is a connective tissue and neurological control disorder, not broken bones or torn muscles.

Many patients go years being told:

“You’re fine.”
“You’re just anxious.”
“You’re too young to hurt this much.”

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Why People With EDS Hurt So Much

When ligaments are too loose:

• Joints shift out of position
• Muscles are forced to work overtime
• Nerves become irritated
• The brain never feels safe

This creates:

• Chronic inflammation
• Pain amplification
• Autonomic nervous system dysregulation

Your body lives in survival mode.

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How Thrive Evaluates EDS

We look far beyond the joints.

Your evaluation includes:

• Postural and stability assessment
• Cervical spine and brainstem screening
• Joint hypermobility testing
• Neurological and balance evaluation
• Gait and movement analysis

This allows us to identify:

• Where your body is unstable
• How your nervous system is compensating
• Why pain and fatigue are occurring

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EDS Relief in Springfield VA

Our goal is not to “stretch” you —
It is to stabilize you.

Your personalized care plan may include:

• Neurologically-Guided Chiropractic
  Supports the spine and nervous system without over-mobilizing unstable joints.
• Proprioceptive & Balance Training
  Teaches your brain where your joints are in space.
• Targeted Stabilization Rehab
  Builds strength in the muscles that protect loose ligaments.
• Postural & Gait Correction
  Reduces stress on fragile connective tissue.
• Autonomic Nervous System Regulation
  Calms the constant fight-or-flight response common in EDS.

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Why Thrive Is Different

Most clinics stretch hypermobile patients — making them worse.

We focus on:

• Stability
• Neurological control
• Joint protection
• Long-term function

Because EDS bodies don’t need to be more flexible —
They need to be more supported.

You Are Not Fragile — You Are Unstable
And instability is something we can train, support, and improve.