What Is Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome?
Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS) is a group of inherited connective tissue disorders caused by differences in how the body produces or processes collagen. Because collagen provides structure and stability throughout the body, EDS can affect joints, skin, muscles, and the autonomic nervous system in ways that vary significantly between individuals.
The most common subtype is hypermobile EDS (hEDS), which is characterized by joint hypermobility, chronic musculoskeletal pain, and fatigue. People with hEDS often experience frequent joint subluxations (partial dislocations), difficulty with activities that require sustained muscle effort, and a higher rate of co-occurring conditions such as POTS and mast cell activation syndrome.
EDS is significantly underdiagnosed, particularly in AMAB individuals. Many patients spend years navigating healthcare before receiving an accurate diagnosis, and many more struggle to find providers with real familiarity with the condition. That gap in informed care is something we take seriously at Golden Bear.
How Dr. Corey Approaches EDS
Chiropractic care for EDS is not the same as standard chiropractic. High-velocity spinal manipulation can be contraindicated for hypermobile patients, and any provider working with EDS needs to understand why.
Dr. Corey Blanchette, DC, takes a low-force, stability-focused approach with EDS patients. Rather than pushing joints through their range of motion, the goal is to support the structures around those joints: releasing the chronic muscle guarding that develops when connective tissue can't do its stabilizing job, addressing rib and thoracic restrictions that affect breathing and posture, and building the active muscular support that hypermobile joints need to function well.
Techniques used include gentle soft tissue work, low-amplitude mobilization, and targeted rehabilitation guidance, all calibrated to each patient's presentation and tolerance.
What to Expect at Your First Visit
Step 1: Intake and History
Step 2: Assessment and Treatment
Step 3: Ongoing Care Plan
What Patients with EDS Report
Reduced muscle guarding and chronic pain. Releasing the overworked muscles that compensate for joint instability is often where the most immediate relief comes from.
Improved thoracic and rib mobility. Many EDS patients have restricted breathing mechanics alongside their joint hypermobility. Addressing this directly tends to have downstream effects on fatigue and overall function.
Better understanding of their own body. Patients leave with practical tools: how to move, what to protect, and how to manage flares, not just short-term symptom relief.
Chiropractic
Chiropractic care is effective in treating many conditions and contributes to an increased level of overall health.
Dr. Corey Blanchette
Book NowFrequently Asked Questions About Chiropractic Care and EDS
It depends on the approach. Standard high-velocity manipulation can be inappropriate for hypermobile patients. Dr. Corey uses low-force techniques specifically adapted for connective tissue disorders. The safety conversation is part of every first visit.
Many EDS patients have been hurt or dismissed by providers who weren't familiar with the condition. At Golden Bear, EDS is treated as a condition that requires a fundamentally different approach, not a variation on standard chiropractic. If a technique doesn't feel right, it doesn't continue.
No. If you're experiencing hypermobility-related symptoms and haven't yet received a formal diagnosis, Dr. Corey can work with your current presentation and refer appropriately if needed.
Frequency varies considerably between patients. Some people benefit from regular maintenance visits; others move toward home-based management with periodic check-ins. This is discussed individually based on your goals and presentation.
Book a Visit at Golden Bear Chiropractic
Dr. Corey Blanchette is accepting new patients at Golden Bear Chiropractic in San Leandro, CA.
If you're living with EDS or hypermobility-related symptoms and looking for a provider who understands your condition, book a visit at Golden Bear Chiro.
