Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS) is a genetic disorder that affects the connective tissues in your body. It comes in different forms and can cause a variety of symptoms for those battling the condition, but the most common symptom is pain. Because pain is oftentimes in the spotlight for patients with EDS, it’s not uncommon for them to seek out a pain management specialist to help reduce and eliminate symptoms. Below, we explain why many patients with EDS notice improvements with their condition after they connect with a pain management specialist.

Pain Management For EDS

Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome affects the connective tissues in your body, making it harder for structures to stay in a stable position as they normally would. Overly flexible joints or hyper-mobile soft tissues can put extra pressure on the area and lead to pain when an area is overstretched. It’s also not uncommon for patients with EDS to develop nerve pain, early-onset arthritis, or symptoms in numerous areas of the body. In all, it’s a highly complex condition.

However, there is a light at the end of the tunnel. The best thing you have going for you right now is that unlike a number of patients with chronic pain, you know exactly what’s causing your pain. You may not know if it’s a nerve or joint issue, but a diagnosis of EDS allows the doctor to conduct simple tests to determine the specific issue caused by EDS and how it can be best managed.

Each case of EDS needs to be managed on an individual basis, but again, now that we know what we’re working against, we can move forward with a treatment plan that has a higher likelihood of success. Some of the most common treatment options your pain management specialist may recommend include a combination of:

• Medications to help lessen pain sensations.
• Physical and occupational therapy to strengthen flexible and unstable structures so they can safely handle more stress.
• Splinting, bracing or other compression techniques.
• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy.
• Yoga, Tai Chi or similar mindfulness-based gentle exercise routines.

Another key area that your pain management specialist will focus on is your understanding of the condition. Many people get frustrated by their EDS diagnosis because it can be so challenging to treat, and these feelings can actually be detrimental to successful treatment. By ensuring you understand the condition, what you can control, what can make symptoms better and worse, and what resources to lean on if you have a flare up can all make EDS more manageable.

EDS encompasses a lot of general themes we see in our clinic. It’s an uphill battle and it can be frustrating at times, but there are successful treatment options available if you’re willing to put in the work and stay committed to a care plan. To get started on your journey to less pain caused by your EDS, reach out to Dr. Cohn and his skilled medical team today.