Happy International Zebra Day from the Hacking Hypermobility Podcast! On this episode, we launch Season 3 with a retrospective of 2024 highlighting topics pertinent to the Ehlers-Danlos Syndromes and Hypermobility. Your hosts Shelli and Luna discuss the news from 2024 including the latest medical breakthroughs, research updates, and community stories. References mentioned in this episode are listed and linked here. There are only a handful of tangents…

Summary In this season, Shelli shares her experiences following orthopedic surgeries, focusing on recovery, emotional well-being, and the challenges faced by those with neurodivergence. Today's conversation explores the concept of alexithymia and the importance of understanding how one's body and mind work together. Keywords Ehlers Danlos, surgery recovery, neurodivergence, interoception, emotional well-being, chronic illness, physical therapy, pain management, accessibility, alexithymia Reference Hogeveen, Jeremy, and Jordan Grafman. “Alexithymia.” Handbook of clinical neurology vol. 183 (2021): 47-62. doi:10.1016/B978-0-12-822290-4.00004-9

C is for Complicated In this episode, Shelli shares candid, unscripted video diaries that cover the time period leading up to and one week following hip surgery in September 2024. Content Warning - at around 44:44 there is video footage of bandage removal and several images of my incisions Keywords Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome, Hypermobility, Chronic Pain, Surgery, Recovery, Personal Health, Medical Journey, Patient Experience, Health Awareness, Dysautonomia References: Complicated (https://openeyepix.org/complicated)

If you are able, Shelli recommends watching this episode Summary In this episode, Luna discusses a groundbreaking study linking joint hypermobility and anxiety, highlighting the neurological underpinnings of these conditions. Shelli discusses aEDS, hip dysplasia, and shares more candid content from sessions with her physical therapist. Keywords hypermobility, anxiety, medical gaslighting, Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, dysplasia, neurological research, chronic pain, personal experiences, recovery, support References Kamboureli, Christina Niki; Rae, Charlotte; Gould Van Praag, Cassandra; Harrison, Neil A; Garfinkel, Sarah N; Critchley, Hugo; et al. (2025). ⁠Neural processes linking joint hypermobility and anxiety: key roles for the amygdala and insular cortex. ⁠University of Sussex. Journal contribution. ⁠EDS Society info on aEDS⁠ - https://www.ehlers-danlos.com/aeds/ ⁠ aEDS VUS info⁠ - https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/snp/rs1061970#clinical_significance Links to specific assistive devices along with phots will be posted soon - it's Shelli's birthday weekend and the weather is looking good!

If you are able, Shelli recommends watching this episode Summary In this episode, Luna discusses a groundbreaking study linking joint hypermobility and anxiety, highlighting the neurological underpinnings of these conditions. Shelli discusses aEDS, hip dysplasia, and shares more candid content from sessions with her physical therapist. Keywords hypermobility, anxiety, medical gaslighting, Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, dysplasia, neurological research, chronic pain, personal experiences, recovery, support References Kamboureli, Christina Niki; Rae, Charlotte; Gould Van Praag, Cassandra; Harrison, Neil A; Garfinkel, Sarah N; Critchley, Hugo; et al. (2025). Neural processes linking joint hypermobility and anxiety: key roles for the amygdala and insular cortex. (https://sussex.figshare.com/articles/journal_contribution/Neural_processes_linking_joint_hypermobility_and_anxiety_key_roles_for_the_amygdala_and_insular_cortex/28350236/1?file=52143758) University of Sussex. Journal contribution. EDS Society info on aEDS (https://www.ehlers-danlos.com/aeds/) aEDS VUS info (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/snp/rs1061970#clinical_significance) Links to specific assistive devices along with phots will be posted soon - it's Shelli's birthday weekend and the weather is looking good!

Keywords brain, dysautonomia, executive functioning, personal journey, daily challenges

Oopsie! Shelli's YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/@ShelliSitsWeirdly)

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