ehlers – danlos syndrome & tissue remodeling

The most common type (Type III – Hypermobility) affects about 1 in 12,000 people, and is characterized by “double jointedness”, loose joints, and a penchant for joint dislocations.  These dislocations (the medical community often refers to them as “subluxations” which are different than CHIROPRACTIC SUBLUXATIONS) can occur for no good reason.  In other words, trauma is not needed.  If you understand the mechanism of DEGENERATIVE ARTHRITIS, you’ll understand why these folks typically get it early in life — along with the propensity to develop virtually every musculoskeletal problem on THIS LIST.

Interestingly enough, Ehlers – Danlos frequently goes undiagnosed or is misdiagnosed — especially early in life — with patients being told they have things like FIBROMYALGIA or DEPRESSION.  In the same way that people with SEVERE FASCIAL ADHESIONS appear normal on imaging tests (see the TESTIMONIALS), so do those with EDS — at least in their younger years.  The result are individuals who appear normal on the outside, but have nothing to show for it as far as ADVANCED IMAGING is concerned.  Thus, they are often branded — again, at least at first — as malingerers, hypochondriacs, or ‘Depressed’.

I get tons of questions about whether or not I can help those with Ehlers – Danlos Syndrome.  As long as it is Type III, the answer is “maybe”.  Follow normal protocol and send me a history via my CONTACT PAGE (example below).  I have never treated anyone with any of the rarer forms of ED that entail more skin involvement (Type I & 2 are more common than the other rare forms, which are extremely rare). 

Kathy Colón of the “West County” (Balwin) St. Louis area recently contacted me after a business associate told her of making the trip to MOUNTAIN VIEW (about 3 hours) to get help for the tissue problems he was having.  This got Kathy’s wheels turning and the following is our email conversations right up until today.

Sunday, January 25, 2015:
Dr Schierling, I have a condition called Ehler’s Danlos Syndrome where almost every joint in my body subluxes and is painful. Over the last few years my pain has gotten increasingly worse. I have had multiple injections and surgeries in my hands and about 8 months ago, I had Tennis Elbow surgery on my right elbow. Unfortunately it hasn’t helped like I hoped it would. As my EDS is progressing, I am having pain in other joints, mostly in my hands, elbows, hips and knees.

On top of having EDS, I was in 2 vehicle accidents within about 18 months of each other (rear ended both times while I was at a stop) and have been through many months of both Physical Therapy and Chirporactic care but am still suffering from neck and shoulder pain.

Last week, I had a consultant in my office, XXX XxXXXXX, and he mentioned you had done some work on him and really helped him out. I was hoping that you might be able to help me as well.
I would really love to hear back from you and am hoping my case is one that you feel your treatment might be able to help me. Thanks for your time and I look forward to hearing back from you soon.
Kathy Colón

Sunday, January 25, 2015
Which type do you have Kathy?  I re-read your history and saw that you are dealing with the effects of two car wrecks.  I cannot really solve the EDS, but may be able to help you with the effects of the MVA’S.  Sincerely, Dr. Russ

Sunday, January 25, 2015
I have type 3. Hypermobile type. Yes, the first accident was the worst as I was turned around, watching oncoming traffic so I got twisted up. I went through about 6 months of therapy and was rear ended again about 9 months after that. I was never healed from the first accident and it just got worse. I went to a chiropractor and she was able to help some but I still have a lot of pain in those areas. I understand you may not be able to help with the pain from EDS but would love to see if you could do anything for the whiplash effects I am still experiencing. Should I call for an appointment? Thanks so much!
Kathy Colón

Monday, January 26, 2015
A couple of questions first.  How do you tolerate a massage — especially a deep massage?  What would happen to your neck if you were to get “hit” there?  I certainly would not attack your problem as intensely as I did XXXX’s, but I want to know what happens to you with things that would make other people bruise.
Dr. Russ

Monday, January 26, 2015
I am pretty good with massages unless they push really hard. I had a 6 month membership at a massage place and loved it when I could find the time to go. I don’t bruise very easily at all so if I got “hit” in the neck, it would probably just hurt.  Most of my subluxes are in my extremities. Fingers, wrists, elbows, shoulders, hips, knees and ankles. Thanks!  Kathy Colón

Monday, January 26, 2015
Hello Kathy, I would guess that I could help you with your neck pain.  Just remember…… (HERE).
Sincerely, Dr. Russ

Thursday, January 29, 2015
Kathy came down from the St. Louis area with her husband for one of our early morning appointments.  I not only had a blast meeting them and talking with them, but felt the appointment went very well and would bear much fruit.  However, I never know until given some time.  I had been wondering about Kathy, and when her consultant / business associate (XXXXX) called and made an appointment for this Friday, I emailed her.

Monday, March 30, 2015
Hello Kathy,   I’m really curious.  It’s been two months; how have you done with treatment?
Dr. Russ

Monday, March 30, 2015
Dr Russ, I have been doing great!  I kept waiting to contact you, thinking that the pain in my neck / shoulder was going to come back but it hasn’t!  My right elbow has been pretty good also. I still have some pain but it is much better than it was. My left elbow has gotten worse but you really didn’t get a chance to work on that much at all. With EDS it is so easy to continually reinjure ourselves. I think with your technique, at least you can provide prolonged relief between injuries, if that makes sense. I would love to come back and get my left elbow and my hip worked on at some point. I am happy to be a reference if you need!!  THANKS SO MUCH!!  Kathy 🙂

Tuesday (Yesterday), March 31, 2015
Fantastic Kathy!  How about we save you a trip to Mountain View?  You are welcome to come any time, or I will most likely be in the Antonia / Barnhart area [just south of St. Louis for those not familiar] over Memorial Day Weekend.  I see lots of people while at my in-laws.  It would save you a trip.   BTW, I am in the process of writing a short post on EDS.  As long as I do not use any personal information, would you mind me using our email conversations?  (I would not use XXXXX’s name either).
Sincerely, Dr. Russ

Tuesday, March 31, 2015
That would be great if you are coming this way! Definitely save me a spot!  YES!   You can absolutely use me in a post. You are welcome to use my name as well if you need. I don’t mind. I look forward to it. See you soon!

Wednesday, April 1, 2015
Thanks a ton Kathy,  Be sure to take a look at today’s Blog Post.  Should be up by six or seven this morning.  And if there is anything I can ever do for you or help you with, do not hesitate to contact me.
Sincerely, Dr. Russ