103. The Link Between Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS)/Hypermobile Spectrum Disorders & Anxiety and Nervous System Dysregulation with Derik Anderson

20% of the population is on the hypermobile spectrum and can struggle with chronic pain because of it. At the more extreme end of the spectrum is Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS), a genetic disorder that affects not not muscles and joints but the whole body in ongoing feedback loops. Perhaps most significantly, 80% of people with EDS have generalized anxiety. Most doctors or practitioners seeing people with vague symptoms from chronic pain, allergies, SIBO, IBS, brain fog, POTS, autoimmunity, anxiety, and more are often unaware that EDS can be the cause. Even less know about holistic ways to intervene in the cycle of dysregulation. So I spoke with a specialist in EDS, Dr. Derik Andersen to get some answers.

In this episode we discuss:

• what is Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome?
• the mast cell activation and EDS cycle
• what are the symptoms and how can someone test themselves?
• why are anxiety and nervous system issues associated with it?
• research on the Autonomic Nervous System and HRV
• neurodivergence and EDS
• holistic treatment approaches
• focused shockwave therapy
• nutritional interventions
• breathwork for the nervous sustem
• what practitioners should know

Bio

Derik S. Anderson, DC, CPT, CSN is the Clinic Director of the Muscle and Joint Clinic in Northern California. He helps his patients be healthier by utilizing his education and personal and professional backgrounds. Dr. Anderson grew up wanting to help people and initially planned to go to business school to work in energy conservation. But, after a good friend’s life was positively changed by chiropractic care, he had a change of heart. His friend spent two years with horrific intestinal problems and saw over a dozen providers, but no one could help her – until she saw a chiropractor. The chiropractor knew that the vertebra and muscles around them affected the nerves that controlled the intestines. After treatment, she was no longer bed-ridden and went back to teaching, traveling and leading an active life. Dr. Anderson realized that health care was his calling and his passion for helping people was channeled into chiropractic.

Education:

• Life Chiropractic College West, Doctor of Chiropractic
• University of California, Santa Barbara, Bachelor of Arts, Economics
• Completed more than 1,000 hours of post-doctoral education
• Sports Nutritionist, Certified
• Personal Fitness Trainer, Certified
• Active Release Technique, Certified 2011
• FAKTR, Certified
• Myofascial Decompression, Certified
• Ironman® Healthcare Provider

The Clinic: https://musclejointclinic.com/

Resources:

• Dr. Jessica Eccles https://www.bsms.ac.uk/about/contact-us/staff/dr-jessica-eccles.aspx

• https://tmsforacure.org/

Links:

• Find videos and bonus episodes: ⁠DEPTHWORK.SUBSTACK.COM⁠
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