Advanced Upper Cervical Supportive Strategies With HSD/EDS

Course overview

Individuals with hypermobility spectrum disorders (HSD) and Ehlers-Danlos syndromes (EDS), particularly those with upper cervical instability (UCI), often present with complex, layered neurological and musculoskeletal challenges. This course explores the advanced supportive strategies needed for managing moderate to severe presentations of UCI, including cases in which direct cervical intervention is not tolerable. Healthcare providers will gain practical tools for identifying related coexisting conditions, incorporating bracing and ergonomic principles, and applying core stabilization techniques to support the upper cervical spine indirectly. Emphasis is placed on a holistic and systems-based approach, integrating manual therapies, biofeedback, and the Finding Functional Foundations (FFF) method to enhance motor control and proprioception. This course is intended for physical therapists, athletic trainers, and rehabilitation professionals working in outpatient orthopedics, neurology, and specialty care settings.