Understanding the Spectrum of Connective Tissue Disorders

The MBY Education Synergy Series Presents

Understanding the Spectrum of Connective Tissue Disorders: Evaluation, Pain, POTS & MCAS Management, Effective Exercise for Clients with EDS & Hypermobility Disorders

Melanie Byford-Young & Alena Guggenheim, ND

Saturday, January 25, 2025, 9 am - 12 pm PST

Livestreaming on Zoom

This session will be recorded and available to all registrants for 7 days.

Despite the increasing availability of research and information about Ehlers Danlos syndrome and hypermobility spectrum disorders, the vast majority of movement professionals and health care providers still do not know how to effectively assess and manage clients with these issues. Many clients continue to self-manage, and try to find providers who are knowledgeable, safe, respectful, and not afraid of their condition.

Dr. Guggenheim will provide a thorough synopsis of the most up to date information on hypermobility disorders, and the common co-morbidities including pain, MCAS and POTS. She will teach participants how to conduct an accurate assessment, and then how to modify a movement program based on the findings. Clinical tips for exercise, adapting programming during flare ups, and managing daily life will help empower movement professionals. Melanie will moderate this presentation, and will facilitate the application of Dr. Guggenheim's presentation to the Pilates practice.

Registration closes 24 hours prior to the start time of the workshop. All sales final. Paid participants will receive a video recording with access for one week for online workshops only. Click button below to register.

This workshop is for:

Pilates & movement instructors who work one-on-one with clients
1 year teaching experience recommended

Saturday, January 25, 2025

9 am - 12 pm PST

$250

Livestreamed online via ZOOM & access to recorded video for one week. Price includes comprehensive workshop guide.

During this workshop, you will learn:

Accurate information about the spectrum of issues related to hypermobility syndromes.
Why anxiety is a part of the clinical picture, and how to communicate with clients experiencing anxiety, kinesiophobia, and sympathetic nervous system overdrive.
What are MCAS and POTS, and how to help clients experiencing these comorbidities.
How to do a detailed evaluation of a client with EDS and HEDS.
How movement professionals can facilitate controlled movement, joint protection, improved proprioception, and overcome kinesiophobia.

** If you're interested in expanding exercise programming within this topic, please go to Pacific Northwest Pilates Education to view additional workshops at this link.

Alena Guggenheim

Naturopathic Physician

Dr. Alena Guggenheim is a renowned expert in the field of EDS. As a person with EDS and a Naturopathic Physician, she understands the spectrum of challenges each patient experiences. Dr. Guggenheim works with the Pain Management team at Oregon Health Science University (OHSU), and is a founding member of The MCAS Masterminds.

Dr. Guggenheim is an advocate for holistic care, and committed to educating health care professionals, and anyone who will listen, about accurate assessment of clients with connective tissue disorders, treatments, and long term management.

Melanie Byford-Young

Co-Owner, Pacific Northwest Pilates, Master Instructor Trainer of Rehabilitation, STOTT PILATES®

Melanie is a leader in the global community of Pilates, physical therapy, and fitness training. She is co-owner of Pacific Northwest Pilates and Melanie Byford-Young Education, and a Master Instructor Trainer of Rehabilitation for STOTT PILATES™. She co-created the six-part Rehabilitation Course series for licensed healthcare professionals which is taught internationally. She has also created her own library of over 25 courses, master classes, and case-study based learning workshops. Her expertise in therapeutic orthopedic strategies attracts a world wide audience and has sent her abroad to work throughout the U.S., Canada, Europe, Australia and Asia.

Home-based in the heart of the Pacific Northwest, Melanie splits her time between working with complex clients, consulting, teaching, and creating content. She loves teaching and mentoring students and therapists, and is a highly-sought after resource for professionals wishing to acquire critical reasoning skills to assess physical movement.