It’s EDS & HSD awareness month so I wanted to share my top hacks for Ehlers Danlos Syndrome and Hypermobility Spectrum Disorder. Living with hEDS or HSD can affect so many parts of daily life, from pain and fatigue to joint instability and injury. Over the years, I’ve found a few products and adaptations that genuinely make day-to-day tasks easier, more comfortable, and a little less exhausting.
These aren’t cures, and what works for one person may not work for another, but these are some of my personal favourite hacks for managing hEDS and HSD.
1. Ring Splints for Joint Stability
One of the biggest challenges with hEDS and HSD can be joint hypermobility in the hands and fingers. Simple tasks like writing, opening jars, typing, or even holding a phone can cause pain, instability, or fingers bending further than they should and whilst I do have a whole page of Hand Hacks, ring splints are a great catch all solution.
Ring splints help prevent hyperextension and provide extra stability to the joints. I’ve found they can make everyday tasks feel much less painful and reduce strain over time. They can also help with grip and fine motor control, especially on flare days.
There are lots of different styles available, from medical-looking splints to more jewellery-style designs, which can make them feel a little more wearable day to day. My set are from WeDesign Silver Splints which is a dutch company which make completely personalised, medical grade ring splints, they are slightly more pricey than ring splints you can find online but they are long lasting and fitted by understanding specialists who are knowledgeable about EDS and hypermobility. They currently have specialists available in the UK, The Netherlands, Germany, Belgium, Denmark, Switzerland, Poland & Austria. If you are London based I highly recommend Nicola Goldsmith at Miriam May OT.
2. Pillows and Sleep Support
Sleep can be difficult when your joints don’t stay where they’re meant to. I often wake up with shoulder, hip, knee, or back pain if I haven’t supported my joints properly overnight.
A long body pillow has been one of the most helpful things for me. It helps support my shoulders, hips, knees, and spine while sleeping and can improve comfort and alignment throughout the night.
Some people with hEDS or HSD also find wedge pillows, pregnancy pillows, memory foam cushions or even stuffed animals useful depending on which joints they struggle with most. I have a smaller knee cushion specifically for when I’m travelling so I don’t end up with extra hotel pillows all over the room in the morning.
3. Hot and Cold Therapy
Heat and ice can both be really useful tools for symptom management.
Heat helps relax muscles, ease stiffness, and provide comfort during pain flare-ups. Cold therapy can help calm inflammation, reduce swelling, and sometimes help after subluxations or injuries.
I personally love using mini heat and ice packs because they’re portable and easy to use on the go. Having smaller packs also makes it easier to target specific joints like wrists, shoulders, or knees. But I have whole pages dedicated to Staying Cool and Keeping Warm so check them out!
4. Compression and Orthotic Supports
Supports and orthotics can make a huge difference when it comes to stability and pain management.
I use shoulder and hip orthoses from DM Orthotics, which provide gentle compression and support. For me, they help reduce pain, improve stability, and make movement feel more manageable. My favourite must haves from their essentials range are the Shorts which have been amazing for my hips over the years and the double shoulder orthosis which has a version specifically to fit around the chest of someone with breasts.
Compression garments and braces are definitely not one-size-fits-all, and it can take time to find the right balance between support and comfort, but when you find something that works, it can be incredibly helpful.
5. Biofreeze for Pain Relief
I’ve tried a lot of topical pain relief products over the years, and Biofreeze is still one of my favourites.
I particularly like the roll-on version because it’s easy to apply without getting product all over your hands. On days where hand pain or fatigue is already high, small accessibility features like that genuinely matter.
Topical products obviously won’t work for everyone, but having a quick option for temporary relief can be really useful as part of a wider pain management toolkit.
6. Ergonomic Kitchen Tools
Kitchen tasks can put a surprising amount of strain on hypermobile joints, especially fingers, wrists, and thumbs. If you love to cook I highly recommend checking out my Kitchen Hacks.
One of my favourite swaps has been using an ergonomic knife. The design allows you to use more wrist and arm movement instead of relying heavily on finger joints and grip strength. That makes chopping and food prep much easier and less painful.
Accessible kitchen tools can make a huge difference to independence and energy conservation, especially on bad pain or fatigue days.
The Most Important Thing
One of the biggest things I’ve learned is that managing hEDS or HSD often isn’t about finding one perfect solution. It’s usually about building a toolkit of small things that help make daily life a little easier, safer, or less painful.
And what helps one person may not help another. hEDS and HSD can look very different from person to person.
I’d love to know what hacks or products help you most. Sharing tips within the chronic illness and disability community can make such a difference, especially when so many of us are figuring things out through lived experience.
Feel free to share this post with someone who might find it helpful.
