#56: Alissa Zingman, MD

Everything To Know About EDS: Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome & Hypermobility Syndromes

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DESCRIPTION

Dr Alissa Zingman is a physician board-certified in Occupational & Environmental Preventative Medicine. Prior to medical school, she was a professional dancer & pilates instructor. She also has a connective tissue disorder called Ehlers Danlos Syndrome Hypermobility Type, or hEDS, which makes her one of every 5000 people who may be functioning like 'canaries in the coal mine of biomechanics'. She’s had five orthopedic surgeries, several herniated discs in her spine and had to leave her orthopedic surgery residency to pursue intensive rehabilitation for her spine & pelvis. Being a physician did not shield her from the medical neglect and abuse that is unfortunately common amongst hEDS patients and advocacy remains one of her passions. In this episode, we hear about her story from both sides- the patient as well as the clinician perspectives for this condition which is garnering growing awareness. Learn which clinicians to seek out, how wide-ranging effects can be (think heart valves and blood vessels and immune miscommunications resulting in conditions like MCAD (Mast Cell Activation Disorder) as well as joints & skin stretchiness), diagnostic issues & criteria, a global approach to treatment (organize, stabilize, mobilize, dynamise), what type of therapies might be helpful (including prolotherapy & PRP), some of the medications that are used, and how and why EDS/ HMS dysfunction might be on the rise (hint: pollution!!). She knows it all! Come listen to learn the nuances of Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome.

Bio

Dr Alissa Zingman is a physician board-certified in Occupational & Environmental Preventative Medicine. Prior to medical school, she was a professional dancer & pilates instructor. She also has a connective tissue disorder called Ehlers Danlos Syndrome Hypermobility Type, or hEDS. She’s had five orthopedic surgeries, several herniated discs in her spine and had to leave her orthopedic surgery residency to pursue intensive rehabilitation for her spine & pelvis. Being a physician did not shield her from the medical neglect and abuse that is unfortunately common amongst hEDS patients and advocacy remains one of her passions. Her medical practice, PRISM Spine & Joint, PRISM is Prevention, Rehabilitation & Integrative Sports Medicine, a multi-disciplinary clinic in Silver Springs, Maryland. It is a full-service clinic that combines her experiences as a patient, an athlete and as a physician (and mom) who has spent decades being curious about and caring for her physical body. She has curated a team that offers wrap-around musculoskeletal care, alignment, and retraining for patients with physical injuries, pain and/or degeneration. She remains active in biomechanical research and treatment, continues to publish her findings, and plays an active role in the EDS Research Foundation. Find out more at https://prismspineandjoint.com/ and the Ehlers Danlos Syndrome Research Foundation at https://edsrf.org/. Dr Zingman still does ballet but only in the pool these days