Sleep, Pain, and Mental Health in Kids with Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (hEDS)

Why This Matters for Families in Hillsboro, Beaverton, and Beyond

At Pain & Performance Coach LLC, we care for children and teens dealing with chronic pain, fatigue, and mobility challenges. One condition we see more often is hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (hEDS)—a connective tissue disorder that affects strength, stability, and emotional health.

🧩 A 2025 study found that kids with hEDS are struggling with far more than just joint pain—they’re dealing with anxiety, depression, and sleep disorders that often go untreated.

What Is Hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome?

hEDS is the most common form of Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome and presents in kids with:

🤸‍♂️ Joint hypermobility

😣 Persistent pain and muscle fatigue

💤 Sleep troubles (like insomnia and poor-quality rest)

😔 Increased anxiety and depression

🧠 Challenges with focus, mood, and daily life

These issues affect not just physical health, but academic, social, and emotional development.

What the 2025 Study Revealed

👥 Study sample: 123 pediatric hEDS patients (average age: 15.8)

📊 Key findings

• 80% had clinical anxiety 😟

• 43% had clinical depression 😞

• 44% reported poor sleep quality 😴

• Only 17% had a formal sleep evaluation 🛏️

⚠️ Anxiety and pain were the strongest predictors of poor quality of life—even more than depression or sleep alone.

Why Mental Health & Sleep Screening Matter

Despite these high rates:

🚫 Most kids never see a psychologist or psychiatrist

🚫 Most don’t get referred for sleep evaluations

🧪 But tools like GAD-7 (for anxiety) and PROMIS Pain Scales can help detect what’s often overlooked

🧠 Early detection = better outcomes. These tools help families and clinicians act before things spiral.

What This Means for Pediatric Rehab

Physical therapy is essential—but it’s only one part of the puzzle.

✅ Strength and mobility training

✅ Pain education (without fear!)

✅ Mental health integration

✅ Behavioral sleep strategies

💡 At our clinic, we take a whole-person, team-based approach using cutting-edge tools like:

• 🩸 Blood flow restriction (BFR) therapy to improve tolerance to weight bearing and weight

• 🦶 Force plates and dynamic balance testing

• 💪 Resistance training (like with the Beyond Power Voltra, bands, dumbbells, and kettlebells)

• 🧠 Patient-centered recovery strategies

Local Help for Hillsboro-Area Families

Whether you’re in Hillsboro, Beaverton, Forest Grove, Cornelius, or North Plains, we offer expert support for kids and teens navigating hypermobility.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 We welcome:

• Parents unsure where to turn after a diagnosis

• Teens struggling with fatigue or pain at school

• Physicians needing trusted rehab partners for pediatric hEDS

We’re not just about pain relief—we’re here for true functional recovery.

Ready to Take the Next Step?

Pain & Performance Coach LLC is your local resource for high-quality pediatric physical therapy that addresses the full spectrum of hEDS challenges.

✅ Evidence-based

✅ Tech-forward

✅ Compassion-led

Serving: Hillsboro | Beaverton | Forest Grove | Cornelius | North Plains

📞 Call now or book online to schedule your pediatric evaluation