Specialized Support for Complex EDS Symptoms

 

EDS doesn’t show up on a standard X-ray. It doesn’t fit neatly into a 10-minute appointment. And it rarely responds well to a one-size-fits-all treatment protocol.

At Apex Chiropractic & Wellness Center in Cincinnati, we work with people living with Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome who are tired of being dismissed, rushed, or handed a generic plan that doesn’t account for how complex and variable this condition actually is.

Our approach is individualized, gentle, and built for the long term. No high-pressure packages. No miracle promises. Just careful, thorough care that adapts to where you are on any given day.

Apex Chiropractic reception area

Nationally Recognized for Advancing Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome Care

Dr. Jahnke has received a research grant from the Ehlers-Danlos Society — one of only a handful of clinicians in the country recognized for advancing the understanding and treatment of EDS and related neurologic conditions.

You May Be in the Right Place If You…

  • Have an EDS diagnosis — or strongly suspect one — and haven’t found care that actually understands it
  • Experience joint instability, chronic pain, dizziness, brain fog, or fatigue that waxes and wanes without a clear explanation
  • Have tried other providers and felt like they were being fit into a protocol that wasn’t designed for them
  • Want a provider willing to monitor their condition over time, not just treat a flare and discharge them
  • Are open to a holistic, neurologically-informed approach that may reduce reliance on medication
  • Are looking for fee-for-service care — no packages, no pressure, just visits that are paid for as you go

Why Standard Care Often Falls Short for EDS

Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome affects connective tissue which is the structural scaffolding that holds your joints, tendons, ligaments, blood vessels, and nervous system together. When connective tissue is lax or dysfunctional, the effects ripple through almost every system in the body.

That’s why EDS symptoms are so varied, and why they change from day to day.

Common symptoms our patients bring to us include:

Joint instability, frequent sprains, and subluxations

Chronic widespread pain

Dizziness, lightheadedness, or POTS-related symptoms

Headaches and migraines

Brain fog and difficulty concentrating

Fatigue and post-exertional crashes

Sensory sensitivity

Difficulty recovering from even mild physical activity

Muscle tension and spasm

Anxiety related to chronic nervous system stress

Many patients also have co-occurring conditions such as fibromyalgia, dysautonomia, post-concussion symptoms, ADHD, anxiety, or chronic headaches that interact with their EDS in ways that require a clinician who understands the full picture.

Co-occurring conditions we commonly see alongside EDS:

Fibromyalgia

POTS

Dysautonomia

Post-Concussion Syndrome

Chronic Headaches & Migraines

ADHD

Anxiety

Chronic Pain Syndromes

Progress with EDS is rarely linear. Flares happen. Stress, illness, poor sleep, hormonal shifts, or overactivity can all set someone back. The goal is to reduce its impact, improve your baseline, and help you recover more quickly when it does happen.

Individualized Care That Adapts to Your Body

Most treatment models aren’t designed with hypermobility in mind. Aggressive adjustments can increase instability. Standardized exercise programs don’t account for the way EDS tissue behaves. And episodic, symptom-focused care misses the neurologic component entirely.

Care at our office may include any combination of the following, depending on your presentation and tolerance:

Gentle Chiropractic

We use multiple techniques and choose based on what your body can tolerate that day. There is no forcing, no aggressive manipulation.

Functional Neurology

The nervous system is often working overtime to compensate for structural instability. We assess and address vestibular function, proprioception, and the brain-body connection.

Vestibular & Balance Therapy

Dizziness, imbalance, and spatial disorientation are common in EDS. We evaluate and treat vestibular dysfunction as part of a comprehensive plan.

RightEye Oculomotor Assessment

Eye movement patterns reveal a lot about neurologic function. When appropriate, we use RightEye technology to assess and guide therapy.

Rehabilitation Exercises

Carefully selected, EDS-appropriate movement work to build stability without overloading fragile tissue.

Functional Medicine & Nutritional Support

Inflammation, gut health, micronutrient status, and metabolic function all affect how EDS patients feel. We can order labs and imaging when clinically indicated.

Sensory Integration Therapy

For patients with heightened sensory sensitivity, we incorporate sensory regulation strategies into care.

Long-Term Monitoring

We track how you respond over time. EDS management is an ongoing process, not a 6-visit discharge. We’re here for the long haul.

Collaborative Care

We actively co-manage with physical therapists, neurologists, rheumatologists, and primary care providers. You don’t have to choose between us and your other doctors.

What Your First Visit Looks Like

Your first appointment is a comprehensive evaluation.

We take time to understand your history, how your symptoms behave, what’s been tried before, and what your goals actually are. Depending on how you’re feeling that day, we may start with a focused area and expand the evaluation over time as your body is ready.

During your initial visit, we may assess:

Full health and injury history (including prior diagnoses and provider experiences)

1

Movement patterns, joint mobility, and postural mechanics

2

Balance, coordination, and vestibular function

3

Neurologic and functional assessment

4

Oculomotor function via RightEye when appropriate

5

Symptom triggers and functional limitations

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Your specific goals and what "better" looks like for you

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Discussion of realistic expectations and what ongoing care would involve

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At the end of your visit, we’ll review our findings with you directly and discuss whether care at Apex is a good fit and what that care would realistically involve.

Common Questions About EDS Care at Apex

Does chiropractic care help with Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome?
Chiropractic care — when adapted for hypermobility — can play a meaningful role in EDS management. The key is that techniques must be selected with the patient’s tissue tolerance in mind. We do not use aggressive, high-force adjustments on EDS patients. Our focus is on neurologic regulation, gentle mobilization, vestibular support, and stability-building.
Is this covered by insurance?
We accept most major health insurance plans and Workers’ Compensation. We do not accept Medicaid. Self-pay patients are also welcome. We’ll review your coverage at your first visit.
Do I need a formal EDS diagnosis to be seen here?
No. Many patients come to us with suspected EDS or a history that strongly suggests connective tissue involvement. We evaluate based on your presentation, not just your paperwork.
How is your approach different from a regular chiropractor?
Most general chiropractic practices focus on pain relief and spinal adjustments. Our practice integrates functional neurology, vestibular therapy, visual assessment, functional medicine, and rehabilitation — with a specific focus on complex neurologic and connective tissue conditions. It’s a fundamentally different scope of care.
Will you work with my other doctors?
Yes, and we encourage it. We regularly co-manage patients with physical therapists, neurologists, rheumatologists, and primary care physicians.
What age do you work with?

We work with adults and adolescents (ages 12–75).

You Don’t Have to Keep Navigating This Alone.

Living with EDS affects how you move, sleep, work, think, and show up in your relationships. Finding the right provider who actually understands it can make a significant difference in your daily quality of life.

If you’re in the Cincinnati area and ready to work with a team that will take your case seriously, we’d like to meet you.