INVISIBLE ILLNESSES
At any.BODY Studio we help people manage symptoms associated with Fibromyalgia, Osteoporosis, Hypermobility conditions such as Ehlers Danlos Syndrome (EDS), Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndroms (POTS), chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) and Long Covid.
“We adopt a biopsychosocial approach with emphasis on collaboration, education and empowerment. We understand that for many working with an exercise physiologist can be a big decision. We take our roles as movement educators very seriously and understand that if we help guide and support each individual in just the right way, we can have a huge impact on their quality of life. “
- Elle Accredited Exercise Physiologist 
Fibromyalgia
Fibromyalgia is a complex chronic condition characterised by a wide range of symptoms, not limited to but including:
Widespread pain and stiffness (lasting longer than three months)
Non-restorative sleep
Fatigue affecting ability to work and to perform activities of daily living (ADLs)
Cognitive dysfunction affecting memory and concentration
Irritable bowel (diarrhea and stomach pain)
Low mood and high levels of stress
Research states that there is no current cure for fibromyalgia, although a multi-component approach to treatment is the best option for holistic management which may include the following:
Medications (assist with sleep and pain management)
Exercise
Pacing general activities
Pain education
Psychological assistance, mindfulness
Tips to consider with exercise / movement:
Consult with an accredited exercise physiologist, so they can provide you with a multi component approach to your exercise routine. This would include learning how to pace/scale movements.
Mindful movement is key - Gentle walking or exercise you can pair breathing with.
Consider all things when choosing to exercise. For example: perhaps grocery shopping and exercising on the same day is not a good idea.
Hypermobility Conditions: Ehlers Danlos Syndrome (EDS)
Hypermobility is a spectrum of conditions that affects the connective tissue in the body. At any.BODY we see individuals with:
Generalised Hypermobility
Hypermobile Ehlers Danlos Syndrome (hEDS)
Hypermobility Spectrum Disorder (HSD)
Within this group of conditions, each individual will experience a range of different symptoms and effects. However, hypermobility generally is seen to have an increase in joint range of motion, not everyone will experience pain or injuries, however it is more common within this group which can make exercise a challenge.
Clients with hypermobility conditions will present in different ways dependent on age, levels of previous activity and other contributing health factors. It is important to note that EDS and hypermobility is complex and can extend further than just joint issues. At any.BODY Studio we often help clients with generalised hypermobility and EDS manage:
Complex Pain
Persistent Nerve Pain
Mood, anxiety and depression
Re-occurring injuries, fear of movement.
Brain Fog, low energy levels and constant fatigue
Osteoporosis
Exercise and Bone Density
Both prevention and management of this disease is very important, and the introduction of exercise and physical activity to an individual’s lifestyle can improve bone health and reduce the risk of falls long-term. Research suggests a combination of physical activities can benefit not only our elderly population in improving bone health and muscular strength but children and adolescents as well, thus playing an important part of our lifestyle from an early stage.
Resistance and strength exercise have a small but significantly positive impact on bone mass density for varying populations and can also promote greater balance and proprioception in reducing the risk of falls and trauma to the body.
Reformer Pilates for Falls Prevention
At any.BODY Studio in our Over 60’s Reformer Pilates Classes and Strength Classes there is a we place a huge emphasis on exercises that improve balance and co-ordination. You can expect movements that will improve lower limb and upper limb strengthening, but also ensure you feel confident standing on one leg! A really important feature to ensure you have confidence with movement.
Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS)
POTS is characterised by a rapid increase in heart rate when changes postures (like sitting up from a lying position, and standing up), and leads to a variety of debilitating symptoms such as dizziness, fatigue, and heart palpitations. When it comes to physical activity, these symptoms often present a barrier by affecting both physiological and psychological factors. These challenges can include:
Exercise intolerance: Decreased endurance, nervous system dysregulation and fatigue all can contribute to exercise intolerance, and often cause difficulty for not only commencing exercise, but also maintaining consistency and progressing. This can often lead to feelings of frustration and defeat, where exercising to even a small degree becomes an impossibility.
Fluctuating symptoms: POTS symptoms can fluctuate with changes in frequency and severity, and are not always predictable. This further contributes to the strain of establishing a consistent exercise routine.
Fear and anxiety: As the nervous system is dysregulated, the symptoms of POTS can be distressing be on their own. This is only further exacerbated during exercise in women who may have experienced symptom-onset during physical activity. Fearful of the risk in potentially causing an event, it is not uncommon for those with POTS to avoid exercising as a result of previously distressing experiences.
Combined health conditions: As previously mentioned, POTS is often not seen alone, and the difficulty of managing multiple health conditions (let alone through exercise) can often feel incredibly overwhelming.
Our team at any.BODY is trained not just in exercise prescription for chronic health conditions, but are also experts at problem solving and adapting to how your health is presenting on the day we see you! With a condition like POTS where your symptoms can fluctuate daily, we are confident we can assist you to safely, effectively, and enjoyable move, while managing your symptoms.
Individualised exercise programs: Exercise is never a one-sized fits all situation, and POTS management is no different. Our team will discuss with you how your individual history and experience affects your day to day life and exercise, and will work with you to create a plan that addresses your symptom-specific needs, co-morbidities, and is flexible based on how you present each session.
Holistic approach: At any.BODY we don’t just look at your condition, we look at YOU. Your lifestyle, mental health, relationship with exercise and understanding of health all impact your ability to exercise safely and enjoyably, and are necessary to discuss and factor into your POTS management plan for optimal wellbeing.
Exercise set up: As a pilates studio we are well-equipped for finding the best positions for you to exercise in. Our exercise physiologists are able to plan your program that minimises frequency of postural changes, where multiple exercises can be completed in the same position for different outcomes. Depending on your personal needs, we are able to cater for a range of symptom severity- including a full 45min session laying on your back if that is what you require on the day!
Hydration: Keeping up your water intake is always important, but especially for those with POTS. We encourage hydration and electrolyte use particularly during sessions.
Acknowledging progress is not always linear: When introducing exercise and progressing your programming, gradual changes and starting slow is key. This is how exercise tolerance and endurance can be increased, while decreasing the risk of causing symptoms. However, it is also important to recognise that your progress may not always be obvious, and often symptom flare-ups can feel like you’re going backwards. Our exercise physiologists work with you as a team to ensure your program changes are appropriate and adaptable, but we also help to remind you of how far you’ve come when it’s hard to see yourself.
Communication and discussion: Our team is always in constant communication with you during sessions, which is how we prioritise your programming suitability for the day, and help you feel empowered and autonomous in your exercise journey. It’s also how we monitor your symptoms as a client-practitioner team, ensuring that we stay adaptable as needed.