Ep 50: Rethinking Rehab for POTS, EDS & Hypermobility with Jill Stephenson PT, DPT

I sit down with Dr. Jill Stephenson, an orthopedic and pelvic floor physical therapist, hypermobility/POTS specialist, and the newest member of our ResilientRx team.

We dive into the overlap of hypermobility, Ehlers-Danlos, POTS, ADHD, and sensory processing issues and how these often misdiagnosed or misunderstood patterns can drastically change how someone experiences pain, movement, fatigue, and even relationships.

You’ll hear both our clinical and personal perspectives navigating these diagnoses, how they shaped our work, and what the traditional rehab model often misses with this population.

We cover:

Why POTS and hypermobility show up together more often than you'd think and how impaired connective tissue affects blood flow, energy, fascia and exercise tolerance

How neurodivergence (especially ADHD and autism traits) changes the way people feel their bodies, process pain, and respond to cues

What "fatigue" actually means in this population and why pushing through can backfire

Why some patients need sensory-safe environments just as much as they need strength programs

How to spot when someone is overwhelmed and what about our language might be triggering without even realizing it

Whether you're a patient who's felt dismissed or a provider wanting to better your these clients, this one’s for you.

00:00 Introduction and Guest Introduction
00:40 Personal Experiences with POTS and Hyper-mobility
03:50 Understanding POTS and Its Clinical Presentation
06:07 Challenges and Misdiagnoses in Chronic Illness
08:23 Intersections of Neurodivergence and Hyper-mobility
14:21 Navigating Healthcare and Building Support Systems
29:41 The Importance of Self-Care and Sustainable Growth
38:02 Understanding Neurodivergence and Hyper Mobility
39:16 The Impact of ADHD on Daily Life
39:48 Challenges and Misconceptions in Diagnosing Neurodivergence
41:53 The Importance of Community and Support
42:09 Navigating Hormonal Changes and Neurodivergence
45:09 The Role of Physical Therapy in Managing Symptoms
49:08 Balancing Rest and Activity
01:04:54 Creating a Sensory-Friendly Environment
01:09:10 Final Thoughts and Resources

Dr Jill works at my practice in Austin, TX. You can find more about her there or on IG:

resilient-rx.com

instagram.com/learnwithdrjill