Medical Trauma Is Real for People with EDS and HSD — But Healing Is Possible

What Is Medical Trauma in EDS and HSD?

If you or a loved one has Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS) or a Hypermobility Spectrum Disorder (HSD), you may already know the feeling:

• Being told “it’s just anxiety”

• Having your symptoms dismissed because your labs are “normal”

• Being misdiagnosed, gaslit, or labeled as “noncompliant”

• Being told to “just stretch” or “stop exercising” altogether

• Feeling like you’re constantly trying to prove your pain is real

📘 A growing body of research—confirms what patients have been saying for years: medical trauma is common among people with EDS and HSD, and it has lasting consequences on trust, care-seeking, and health outcomes.

The Impact of Medical Trauma

The trauma that stems from repeated invalidation, misdiagnosis, and mistreatment leads to:

• 🚫 Avoidance of future medical care

• 😓 Heightened anxiety during appointments

• 💥 Pain flare-ups triggered by stress

• 🧱 Barriers to building therapeutic alliances

• 😶 Feeling unseen and unheard—even when symptoms are severe

Many EDS/HSD patients report complex trauma related to healthcare, which impacts both their physical and emotional recovery.

At Pain & Performance Coach LLC, We Do Things Differently

Here’s how Dr. Mike Makher and the team at Pain & Performance Coach set themselves apart in the Hillsboro and Beaverton area:

1️⃣ He Actually Listens

No rushing, no dismissing, no judgment. Whether you’ve seen 10 providers or 100, Dr. Mike takes the time to understand your full story—including your frustrations, setbacks, and fears.

2️⃣ He Challenges—But Never Pushes Too far

Your tolerance level is the roadmap. Dr. Mike provides just the right amount of challenge to build strength, stability, and confidence—without triggering repeated flares or shutdowns. Progress is earned together, not forced.

3️⃣ If He’s Not the Right Fit, He’ll Help You Find Who Is

You won’t be left to “figure it out on your own.” Dr. Mike genuinely believes in getting every patient the care they deserve—even if that means referring you to someone else better suited for your specific needs.

✨ That’s how patient centered care should work.

A Safe, High-Tech Space for Healing in Hillsboro & Beaverton

Pain & Performance Coach LLC is proud to support EDS and HSD patients throughout:

• Hillsboro

• Beaverton

• Forest Grove

• Cornelius

• North Plains

• Portland

Using high-quality tools like:

• 🩸 Blood Flow Restriction (BFR) [which seems to be have far more applicability for people with EDS than most others]

• 📈 Objective feedback on your progress (from the Voltra to the Dynamo Max to the forceplates)

• 💪 Resistance training tools (including the Voltra I)

…combined with deep compassion and patient-centered communication, this isn’t just another PT clinic—it’s a space for healing.

You Deserve to Be Heard. You Deserve to Heal.

If you’ve been dismissed, mistreated, or ignored in the past, you are not alone—and you are not the problem.

📞 Call us or book online today. Let’s talk about what’s been holding you back—and how we can help you move forward.