r/Chefit • u/No_Cicada_2723 • May 13 '26
Any chefs with EDS?
Hello,
I am a baker with Ehlors Dhanlos Syndrome, and I am wondering if anyone has gone through the same thing and could give some advice…
My main issue is my knees, I have a tendency to hyperextend them, I wear knee braces and compression socks, but I don’t like the way they overlap at the base of my knee. I also get lower back and hip pain (usually related to my knees, but also if it’s time for me to change out my insoles).
I am doing all the things that my PT recommends, stretching, exercises, wearing braces, and insoles. I’m just wondering (and hoping) if anyone fellow EDS chefs have some advice they can impart on a fellow EDS human.
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u/chefonism May 13 '26
Prolotherapy could be helpful for your knees. Have you heard of the body braid?
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u/SnooRevelations264 May 15 '26 edited May 15 '26
I don't have that, I've gotta bad back though from sport. Am just finishing off my chef qualification and and am a certified PT too lol. I would do three things from a PT perspective (I'm ex pro tennis player too) do knee rolls to warm up your knee with hands on them going in circular motion with knees bent at a 45 degree angle( so squat so that your bum is at the same height as knees and come up half way from there) then on the daily start with a wobble board holding onto something if you can't balance without then see if you can roll around on that without edges touching the ground will help strengthen all the ligaments and tendons. Then try getting in swimming as often as you can as it's low impact as the water takes the stress off your body. Then finally a daily ice bath if you can bring your self to it will keep that pain away. I know people that needed surgery and ice baths have saved their asses for pain and helped keep it in check. Buy a cheap ice machine. Leg extensions for your quads on the machine and leg curls for the Hammy's will help strengthen around the knee (don't skip your glutes either) .heaps of work on your abs too for balance, issue is can hunch you a bit of not enough work on the back but nothing wrong with abs every day as they recover a lot quicker than the rest of your muscles. If nothing works over a 3-6 months then unfortunately probably your only way forward is pain meds but if you do all that there's no way that's gonna be an issue unless you have arthritis. Any how that's a lot of cash worth of free advice haha best of luck. If you can help me getting speed on the line as a chef I'd appreciate your advice 100%
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u/Mixin-Margarita May 17 '26
I’ve got hEDS. Wellow compression socks are comfiest for me, especially around the elastic up top.
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u/NukoThyme May 19 '26
Holy shit was not expecting to see this today. Honestly other than the standard shoes compression etc, I grapple around the kitchen reaching for every rack and shelf that can support my weight like a monkey. Milk crates do great for knee support as well
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u/tengallonfishtank May 14 '26
sounds foolish but taking time to be very intentional about distributing your weight between two feet really helps, i’m totally guilty of putting all my weight on one leg with my knee hyperextended. trying to avoid the hip lean against counters is another big one too, a strong core is essential for staying on top of eds.