Get expert physical therapy for EDS in Portland, Salem, Eugene, Gresham & Hillsboro. Improve joint stability, reduce pain, and regain mobility with care that fits you.
Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS) is a group of health problems that affect the body’s connective tissues. These tissues help hold everything in place — like your skin, joints, and blood vessels. People with EDS often have very flexible joints, soft skin, and may feel pain, weakness, or get hurt easily. Some people’s joints even move out of place too much. This can make daily life hard.
Physical therapy for EDS is one of the best ways to help manage these symptoms. It helps make the muscles around the joints stronger. This support keeps the joints from moving too much and helps lower the risk of injury. It can also help improve balance, movement, and reduce pain. Physical therapy is not a cure, but it can make life better and safer for people with EDS.
If you live in Oregon, there are good options for care in cities like Portland, Eugene, Salem, Gresham, and Hillsboro. For example, Dr. Raj from HWY Physical Therapy at Center 50+, Salem City Building, 2615 Portland Rd NE, Salem, OR 97301 (Call 971-202-1979) offers care that is kind, careful, and made for people with EDS.
Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS) is a group of conditions that affect the connective tissues in the body. These tissues are like glue — they hold skin, muscles, and joints together. When someone has EDS, their connective tissue is too loose or stretchy. This means the joints can move too far, and the skin can feel soft or stretchy too.
There are many types of EDS, but one of the most common is Hypermobile EDS (hEDS). People with hEDS may have very flexible joints that bend more than normal. Some may have joint pain, tiredness, and even dizziness or stomach problems. Other forms of EDS can also affect the skin, bones, and blood vessels.
EDS is something people are born with. You cannot catch it or pass it from person to person like a cold. It often runs in families.
There is no cure for EDS, but with the right care — like physical therapy, careful exercise, and support — people with EDS can live active and full lives.
Living with EDS can be hard. People may have joint dislocations, which means the joint comes out of place. This can be painful and scary. Some feel weak or clumsy because their muscles have to work extra hard to keep joints stable.
Simple tasks like walking, lifting, or even writing can feel tiring or cause pain. Some people also get bruises easily or feel light-headed when standing up.
Kids with EDS might fall more or have trouble keeping up in gym class. Adults might need help with daily chores or work.
But with support from physical therapists, better posture, and learning how to move safely, many of these problems can be managed. That’s why physical therapy for EDS is so important, especially for people living in Portland, Eugene, Salem, Gresham, and Hillsboro, Oregon.
People with Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS) often have joints that move too much. This can cause pain, swelling, and make it easy to get hurt. Physical therapy for EDS helps make the muscles around those joints stronger, so the joints stay in place better.
A good physical therapist will teach you safe exercises. These are not hard or painful — they are gentle and slow. The goal is to build strength, improve balance, and teach your body how to move in a way that protects your joints. They also teach how to sit, stand, and walk in ways that lower the chance of injury.
Another goal is to reduce pain. Many people with EDS feel tired and sore every day. With regular therapy, you may feel less pain and more energy. You will also learn how to listen to your body and stop before pain starts.
Many studies and real-life stories show that physical therapy works well for EDS. Here’s how:
Without therapy, muscles stay weak, and joints stay loose. This can make injuries happen more often. But when therapy is done right, it teaches your body to stay strong, even when you have EDS.
This is very important for people living in Oregon cities like Portland, Eugene, Salem, Gresham, and Hillsboro, where active lifestyles are common. Whether you're walking around your neighborhood, working, or gardening, having a strong and steady body helps you enjoy life more.
When you first meet your physical therapist, they will take time to learn about your body. This first visit is called an evaluation. The therapist will ask questions about your pain, injuries, and how your joints feel during the day.
They may check:
This is done gently. The goal is to understand your limits and what your body needs. Each person with Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS) is different. That’s why the plan is made just for you.
The therapist may also teach you about joint safety. This means learning how to avoid movements that can hurt you, like bending your knees too far or twisting your arms in unsafe ways.
After the first check-up, your therapist will build a custom plan. This plan will include gentle exercises to help you get stronger without causing harm. You might do:
If you feel pain or get tired quickly, that’s okay. The therapist will change the exercises to fit your pace. Rest is part of the plan too. It’s not about pushing hard — it’s about steady progress.
Over time, you may notice:
This kind of care is available in Portland, Eugene, Salem, Gresham, and Hillsboro. A good therapist will support you every step of the way.
People with Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS) need gentle and safe exercises. The goal is to help the body without hurting it. A trained physical therapist knows how to choose the right moves that make your muscles stronger and your joints more stable. These are the most common and helpful techniques used in physical therapy for EDS.
These exercises help you build strength without putting stress on your joints. Your therapist may ask you to use:
You may do simple things like:
These moves help your muscles support your joints. That means fewer injuries and less pain over time.
This may sound like a big word, but it means teaching your body how to move better. People with EDS often have trouble with balance or moving the right way. This part of therapy helps fix that.
You might practice:
These drills train your brain and muscles to work together. They help prevent falls and make daily tasks easier.
Manual therapy means your therapist uses their hands to help your muscles or joints. For people with EDS, this is always done very gently.
They may:
Manual therapy can make you feel more relaxed and help your muscles work better. But therapists are always careful not to stretch your joints too much, since EDS makes them loose already.
People in Portland, Eugene, Salem, Gresham, and Hillsboro can benefit from these gentle techniques. When used the right way, they help build a stronger, safer body — step by step.
When treating people with Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS), some things should never be done. These mistakes can cause more pain or injury. A good physical therapist knows what to avoid to keep you safe.
One big mistake is using exercises that are too hard or fast. People with EDS have loose joints, and pushing too much can make things worse. Running, jumping, or lifting heavy weights may lead to joint injuries or even dislocations.
Another mistake is using strong hands-on treatment like deep massage or aggressive stretching. These can stretch the joints more and cause pain. Since the connective tissue is already soft, less pressure is better.
Also, therapy must not feel like a one-size-fits-all plan. Each person with EDS is different. Some people feel pain all the time. Others feel tired or dizzy. The plan must match how your body feels, not what works for someone else.
Many people with EDS feel tired, even after doing a little bit of activity. This is called fatigue, and it’s very common. A good therapist will let you take breaks and move at your own pace.
Pain is also a big problem. But it doesn’t mean you should stop moving. In fact, gentle movement can help ease the pain over time. The key is to go slow and stay safe.
Some people feel worried or scared about moving because they don’t want to get hurt again. That’s okay. Your therapist will listen and help you feel safe. Building trust and comfort is part of the healing process.
In cities like Portland, Eugene, Salem, Gresham, and Hillsboro, therapists are learning how to give this kind of care. They know EDS needs a special approach that is kind, slow, and smart.
Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS) is not like other health problems. It affects the joints, skin, and tissues in many ways. That’s why it’s so important to work with a physical therapist who understands EDS.
Not all therapists know how to treat people with loose joints and chronic pain. Some may give exercises that are too hard or stretch the joints too far. This can make pain worse or even cause injury.
A therapist with EDS experience knows how to:
They also understand how EDS affects other parts of life — like sleep, energy, and even mood. This means you’ll get full support, not just exercise help.
In Oregon, more therapists are learning how to care for EDS. If you're in Portland, Eugene, Salem, Gresham, or Hillsboro, ask if the clinic has treated people with EDS before.
To find the right fit, here are some good questions to ask:
A good therapist will answer these kindly and clearly. If they take time to understand your story, that’s a great sign.
People with EDS need a partner, not a push. A caring, trained therapist will help you feel safe, strong, and supported every step of the way.
While physical therapy for EDS is very helpful, other therapies can also support your body and make results even better. These extra steps work alongside therapy — not instead of it — to give you more comfort and control in daily life.
Sometimes, your physical therapist may suggest working with an occupational therapist. They can help with daily tasks like brushing your hair, writing, or cooking — things that may feel hard with joint pain. An occupational therapist teaches safer ways to move and helps you choose tools that make life easier.
A nutritionist may also help if your EDS comes with stomach problems, tiredness, or trouble healing. Eating the right food can give your body more strength and energy.
Other options like gentle yoga, mindfulness, or breathing exercises can help calm the body and ease stress, which often makes pain feel worse.
Some people with EDS need a little extra support. A therapist may suggest joint braces, ankle supports, or special shoes. These tools help keep joints in the right place and make walking or standing feel safer.
Used together with therapy, these extra supports can make a big difference.
If you want to learn more about living with EDS and how physical therapy can help, here are some helpful topics to search on Google:
If you or someone you know is living with Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS) and needs gentle, expert care, we’re here to help. At HWY Physical Therapy, we understand how EDS affects your daily life and know how to create safe, effective plans just for you.
Visit us at: Center 50+, Salem City Building, 2615 Portland Rd NE, Salem, OR 97301
Call us today at 971-202-1979 to schedule a consultation or ask questions.
Start your journey toward strength, safety, and support — one step at a time.
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