Beyond Flexibility: Hypermobility, Chronic Pain, Movement and Hope with Jeannie Di Bon

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In this episode, I sit down to chat with Jeannie Di Bon—movement therapist, educator, founder of The Zebra Club, author, and creator of the Integral Movement Method. Through both professional expertise and lived experience, she has helped thousands of people rethink movement not as something to fear, but as a pathway towards confidence, resilience and recovery.. 

When most people think about hypermobility, they imagine someone who's simply very flexible. But for many people, hypermobility comes with persistent pain, fatigue, autonomic symptoms, gastrointestinal problems, anxiety, neurodivergence, repeated injuries, and years of being misunderstood.
Today we're exploring a movement that is changing that narrative.

keywords

hypermobility, EDS, Zebra Club, pain management, movement therapy, neurodivergence, chronic pain, patient support, NHS, integrative movement

key topics

• Hypermobility and EDS diagnosis journey
• The Integral Movement Method and its principles
• The role of breath, proprioception, and nervous system regulation
• Community support through the Zebra Club
• Impact of misconceptions and the importance of early diagnosis
• The overlap between hypermobility, neurodivergence, and mental health
• Challenges within NHS pathways and the need for integrated care
• Research and future directions in hypermobility and pain management

Chapters

00:00 Understanding Hypermobility and Its Challenges
03:01 Jeannie Di Bon's Personal Journey with EDS
05:58 The Birth of the Integral Movement Method
08:55 The Zebra Club: A Community for Hypermobility
12:01 The Role of Education and Awareness in EDS
14:49 The Biopsychosocial Model in Pain Management
18:04 Innovative Approaches to Movement Therapy
20:56 The Importance of Breath and Proprioception
23:52 Challenges in Traditional Rehabilitation for Hypermobility
26:57 The Evolving Landscape of EDS Awareness
29:58 Future Directions for Hypermobility Care
33:38 Fragmentation and Community Support
34:45 Hypermobility and Neurodivergence
36:41 Understanding Misconceptions in EDS
38:46 The Role of Clinicians in EDS Care
43:00 Community Collaboration with Clinical Models
48:30 Transformative Patient Stories
51:34 Future Directions in EDS Research

Resources

Website

The Zebra Club : https://thezebra.club/

Disclaimer:
This podcast is for education and general information only and does not replace personalised medical advice. If you are experiencing ongoing pain or distress, please consult your healthcare professional. 

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The Pain Speak podcast is presented by Prof Deepak Ravindran, a NHS Consultant specialising in Pain and Lifestyle Medicine. Dr Ravindran is also the author of the book, 'The Pain Free Mindset'

Get in touch:
Twitter: @deepakravindra5
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Website: www.deepakravindran.co.uk
Linktree: https://linktr.ee/DrDeepakRavindran
Youtube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@drdeepakravindran5361

For Clinical Queries and consultations, please go to Berkshire Pain Clinic



Order a copy of the Pain Free Mindset here

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Mixed and edited by Rob Cao at...