EDS Treatment in Baltimore
Our Approach to Treating EDS Patients
Living with Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS) involves managing hypermobile joints and chronic pain. Many patients have seen multiple practitioners who either lack experience with EDS or treat it like any other condition. At Satriano Physiotherapy, we focus exclusively on patients with complex connective tissue disorders, providing care tailored to the unique challenges of EDS.
EDS Isn't Like Other Conditions
After years of treating patients with EDS, it has become clear that standard physiotherapy techniques are often ineffective. Hypermobile joints and fragile soft tissues can quickly become overloaded, even with movements that seem simple to others. The myofascial structures in EDS patients contain more sensitive nerve endings, which helps explain why treatments that might feel routine for others often lead to widespread pain and fatigue.
Many physiotherapists don’t fully appreciate these differences. Exercises that push through hypermobility or tissue sensitivity can leave patients worse off. For someone with EDS, the nervous system is already on high alert, perceiving movement as potentially harmful. Traditional approaches can unintentionally reinforce these fears instead of building confidence and improving function.
How We Work with EDS Patients
Every patient with EDS is different, so there’s no single starting point. For many new patients, the first step is simply listening—understanding your history, concerns, and experiences. Many have seen multiple practitioners who didn’t fully hear them or appreciate the complexity of EDS. From there, our treatment is tailored to your needs, which may include small, controlled joint and tissue movements, longer rest periods, or other approaches based on how your body responds.
Our treatment approach includes:
- Gentle tissue work – Small, careful movements that don’t overwhelm your system
- Longer rest breaks and breathing – Giving your tissues time to recover between exercises
- Myofascial release – Introduced gradually once your body shows readiness
- Dry needling – Used when appropriate to improve muscle function and blood flow
- Strength and stability training – Essential for supporting hypermobile joints and reducing the risk of injury
- Nervous system retraining – Teaching your body that movement doesn’t have to hurt
- Custom progression – Each step forward is guided by how your body responds
We never rush the process. Pushing too hard can set EDS patients back weeks or even months, so every movement is purposeful and carefully monitored.
Two Things Every EDS Treatment Must Address
First, we will address the body itself – your muscles, joints, and connective tissues. This includes manual therapy and exercises designed specifically for your body, not generic strengthening routines. We focus on stability and controlled, smooth movements rather than aggressive strengthening that could overload already stressed tissues.
Second, we calm the nervous system. Many EDS patients have lived with chronic pain for so long that their brain interprets all movement as a threat. Through careful, patient-centered treatment, we help retrain the nervous system to respond safely, reducing pain and improving function.
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Why You've Had Frustrating Experiences Before
Many healthcare providers don’t fully understand the unique challenges of EDS. Standard exercises or techniques that work for other patients can actually cause pain or injury in hypermobile individuals. We’ve treated patients who were told to “work through the pain” or given programs that left them bedridden.
This happens because EDS requires a different approach. What helps most patients can be harmful for those with EDS. With this condition, less is often more, and patience is essential.
What EDS Treatment Looks Like
Your treatment is customized to your specific EDS presentation. We begin with movements that match your current abilities, monitor how your nervous system responds, and adjust the plan as needed. As your confidence and tolerance improve, we gradually progress your therapy.
Our goal is to help you return to the activities, exercise, and strength training you want to do—always within what your body can handle. Treating EDS patients is one of the most rewarding parts of our practice.
Ready to Try a Different Approach?
If you’re tired of working with practitioners who don’t understand EDS—or you’re looking for a team that prioritizes your long-term health—we’d love to talk. We’ll take the time to understand your history, listen to your previous therapy experiences, and discuss how our approach can help you find lasting relief.
Contact me at rob@robsatriano.com to schedule your free 20-minute consultation. Let’s build a treatment plan that works for your body.
