EDS ECHO Healthcare Professionals

EDS ECHO Programs & Courses for Healthcare Professionals

EDS ECHO is a series of programs and courses for healthcare professionals across all disciplines who want to improve their ability to care for people with Ehlers-Danlos syndromes (EDS), hypermobility spectrum disorders (HSD), and associated symptoms and conditions. Enhancing care for people with all types of EDS and HSD through case-based discussions, sharing knowledge, and expert updates is at the heart of what we do.

Please scroll down to view all of our EDS ECHO Programs and Courses for professionals.

How Are Sessions Structured?

Each Program is made up of a series of Sessions that explore various aspects of care in EDS and HSD. Each session is 1hr 30 minutes in length; except the EDS ECHO Drop-in Sessions, which are 1hr in length.

The format for most sessions includes a didactic presentation by an expert and discussion of participant-submitted cases. Participants are encouraged to share their cases and questions in the sessions and are guided to further educational materials and support.

What is Case-Based Learning?

The ECHO model uses case-based learning. Participants can either ask specific questions or they can present de-identified cases from their own practice where there is a concern about any aspect of the diagnosis or management of EDS and HSD or their complications.

The session group, with expert specialist support, discuss the cases and provide guidance. All are encouraged to participate if they feel able.

Who Can Participate?

EDS ECHO Programs and Courses are open to healthcare professionals worldwide, across all disciplines who want to improve their ability to care for people with EDS, HSD, and associated symptoms and conditions.

Can I Earn Educational Credits?

CME/CEU/CE credits are available to healthcare professionals. Credits are awarded at 1 per 60 minutes of live session activity. An Ehlers-Danlos Society ‘Certificate of Attendance’ can also be provided upon request.

What if I Can’t Attend a Session?

In order to obtain the most benefit from the program, participants are encouraged to attend as many live sessions as possible. You will be able to catch up on the sessions you miss by watching the password-protected session content which will be made available to participants through The Ehlers-Danlos Society’s resources page after each session. However, please note that CME Credits can only be claimed for attendance at live sessions.

How Much Does it Cost to Join an EDS ECHO Program?

EDS ECHO relies on donations, grants, and participant fees to cover costs. For some of our EDS ECHO professionals’ programs there is a nominal fee. Fees vary and we aim to keep these as low as possible; the fee for each program is shown in the banners below, and on its registration page.

  Download the EDS ECHO Brochure
Subscribe to the EDS ECHO Newsletter

EDS ECHO CLINICIANS

EDS ECHO Clinicians is a virtual program for healthcare professionals worldwide, across all disciplines who want to improve their ability to care for people with EDS, HSD, and associated symptoms and conditions. The program focuses on older adolescent and adult care. Please see our Pediatric programs if your focus is childcare.

Click the banner below for more information.

  • EDS ECHO Clinicians North America

    EDS ECHO Clinicians North America

    About EDS ECHO Clinicians North America

    The EDS ECHO Clinicians North America program is a virtual program for healthcare professionals worldwide, across all disciplines who want to improve their ability to care for people with EDS, HSD, and associated symptoms and conditions. 

    The program is divided into two thematic modules: ‘EDS and HSD Diagnosis, Pain and MSK Management’ and ‘EDS and HSD Co-morbidities and Related Complications’. 

    Each module is composed of 7 sessions, each session consisting of expert presentations and case-based interactive sessions delivered virtually via the Zoom platform. Each session is 1hr 30 minutes in length and is led by Dr. Clair Francomano and Dr. Dacre Knight.

    Program Fees

    Participants can choose which module they wish to attend – although participants are encouraged to attend the module, ‘EDS and HSD Diagnosis, Pain and MSK Management’ if they are new to EDS and HSD.  

    Each module costs $70 USD per participant to attend.

    How Do I Register?

    Registration for this program is now Open. Click here for more information, including the program schedule and to register.

EDS ECHO DROP-IN SESSIONS

The EDS ECHO Drop-in Sessions program is a series of once-monthly sessions throughout the year for participants (past or present) who have attended any of our healthcare professionals’ EDS ECHO programs, including Allied Health and Pediatrics.

The aim of the sessions is to allow colleagues to bring current clinical concerns about their patients to the group for advice. This can be in the form of a specific question or a short case history brought to the live session. Questions or cases should not be submitted in advance.

Click the banner below for more information.

  • EDS ECHO Drop-in Sessions North America & Europe

    About EDS ECHO Drop-in Sessions North America & Europe

    The EDS ECHO Drop-in Sessions North America & Europe program is a monthly drop-in session for participants (past or present) who have attended any of our healthcare professionals’ EDS ECHO programs. Each session is 1hr in length and uses the Zoom platform. 

    Each session will be co-facilitated by Dr. Alan Hakim from London, UK, and Dr. Clair Francomano from Indianapolis, US.

    The aim of the sessions is to allow colleagues to bring current clinical concerns about their patients to the group for advice. This can be in the form of a specific question or a short case history brought to the live session. Questions or cases should not be submitted in advance.

    Program Fees

    This a free program for healthcare professionals. Please note that CME/CEU/CU credits are not available for these sessions.

    How Do I Register?

    Although the sessions are timetabled for participants based in North America & Europe, any EDS ECHO professional participant from any region can attend. Registration is open throughout the year.

    Registration for this program is Open. Click here for more information, including the program schedule and to register.

EDS ECHO ALLIED HEALTH PROFESSIONALS

The EDS ECHO Allied Health Professionals program is a virtual program for Allied Health Professionals from all over the world, run from North America. 

This program is suitable for Physical Therapists, Podiatrists, Clinical Psychologists, Occupational Therapists, Speech and Language Therapists, Dieticians, and Nutritionists.

The program is divided into thematic modules delivered across the year. Participants can choose which modules they wish to attend – although participants are encouraged to attend the module, ‘Introduction to EDS and HSD’ if they are new to EDS and HSD.

AHP’s are encouraged to also join the Clinicians North America program, the North America & Europe Drop-in sessions, Pediatrics programs, and may also be interested in the IMM Course. If you are a Physical Therapist or Occupational Therapist, you are strongly encouraged to attend the module ‘Introduction to EDS and HSD’ before registering for our FFF course.

Click the banners below for more information on this program.

  • EDS ECHO Allied Health Professionals North America

    About EDS ECHO Allied Health Professionals North America

    The EDS ECHO Allied Health Professionals North America program is a virtual program for healthcare professionals worldwide, across all disciplines who want to improve their ability to care for people with EDS, HSD, and associated symptoms and conditions. 

    The program is divided into thematic modules delivered across the year. Participants can choose which modules they wish to attend – although participants are encouraged to attend the module, ‘Introduction to EDS and HSD’ if they are new to EDS and HSD. 

    Each module is composed of 3 to 4 sessions, each session consisting of expert presentations and case-based interactive sessions delivered virtually via the Zoom platform. Each session is 1hr 30 minutes in length and is led by is led by Dr. Leslie Russek, Dr. Patricia Stott and Dr. Emily Rich from the USA.

    Which Module(s) Should I Attend?

    All AHPs are welcome to register for all the Modules, but our Facilitator has provided the following guide that you may find helpful when registering for a selection of them:

    • Physiotherapists, Manual Therapists, and Pilates/Movement Instructors – All modules
    • Dieticians – Modules 1, 2 and 3
    • Nutritionists – Modules 1, 2 and 3
    • Occupational Therapists – Modules 1, 2, 3 and 4 (especially when upper body)
    • Podiatrists – Module 1 and 4 (when it covers lower body)
    • Psychologists, Mental Health Providers – Modules 1, 2, and 3
    • Speech and Language Therapists – Modules 1, 2, and 3
    • Chiropractors – All Modules
    • Acupuncturists – All Modules
    • Respiratory Therapists – Module 4

    Please note, Module 4, ‘Musculoskeletal Issues’, will alternate each year between the upper and lower extremities.

    Program Fees

    Participants can choose which modules they wish to attend – although participants are encouraged to attend the module, ‘Introduction to EDS and HSD’ if they are new to EDS and HSD.

    Each module costs $40 USD per participant to attend.

    How Do I Register?

    Registration for this program is Open. Click here for more information, including the program schedule and to register.

  • EDS ECHO Allied Health Professionals Masterclass North America

    EDS ECHO Allied Health Professionals Masterclass North America

    About EDS ECHO Allied Health Professionals Masterclass North America: Manual Interventions

    The EDS ECHO Allied Health Professionals Masterclass North America ‘Manual Interventions’ module is a virtual program designed to advance the manual skills and knowledge, regarding our HSD/EDS population, for our allied health professionals while creating healthy provider networking.

    This module is suitable for any provider that provides hands-on work to those with HSD/EDS. We also encourage any health professionals interested in learning about these modalities to facilitate improved referrals to appropriate providers.

    This program is facilitated by Patricia Stott and will be divided into four thematic sessions. In the program, Patty will introduce the structural and systemic differences to consider in a patient with symptomatic hypermobility when applying manual strategies. Eloise Stager will discuss craniosacral therapy, and Gail Wetzler will review visceral, vascular, and neural techniques. Kellie Barnes will present on fascial counterstrain.

    Each session lasts for 1 hour and 30 minutes and features expert presentations and interactive case-based discussions conducted virtually through the Zoom platform. You can view the program schedule and the overview for each session in the table below.

    Who Can Participate?

    Participants must have completed Module 1 of our EDS ECHO Allied Health Professionals North America program, ‘Introduction to EDS and HSD’ or attended the EDS ECHO Clinicians program.

    Program Fees

    There is a nominal fee of $40 USD per participant for this program.

    How Do I Register?

    Registration for the EDS ECHO Allied Health Professionals Masterclass North America is currently closed. Please check our ECHO home page, social media announcements, or subscribe to our EDS ECHO Newsletter for program updates.

EDS ECHO FINDING FUNCTIONAL FOUNDATIONS

The EDS ECHO Finding Functional Foundations (FFF)™ course is suitable for licensed physical therapists/physiotherapists wanting to learn how to use principles of neuroplasticity to retrain alignment and stability in hypermobile patients. Using biofeedback and specific cuing methods, this approach retrains the brain allowing patients to improve faulty proprioception, strengthen deep stabilizers, learn proper physical alignment, and apply those skills to functional movement. This leads to decreased pain and neurological symptoms, and improved function.

The FFF course runs from the U.S. and is led by Susan Chalela. Click the banner below for more information.

  • EDS ECHO Finding Functional Foundations

    About EDS ECHO Finding Functional Foundations

    The EDS ECHO Finding Functional Foundations (FFF)™ course is suitable for licensed physical therapists/physiotherapists wanting to learn how to use principles of neuroplasticity to retrain alignment and stability in hypermobile patients. Using biofeedback and specific cuing methods, this approach retrains the brain allowing patients to improve faulty proprioception, strengthen deep stabilizers, learn proper physical alignment, and apply those skills to functional movement. This leads to decreased pain and neurological symptoms, and improved function.

    Who Can Participate?

    For safety reasons, this program is currently only available to licensed physical therapists/physiotherapists who are currently treating patients with EDS/HSD. We hope to make it available to other health professionals in the future.

    Course Curriculum and Structure

    The course has nine 2-hour sessions across 13 weeks, with three modules of three weeks separated by two-week breaks. Sessions are on the Zoom platform. During the program, participants can also access professionally produced training videos created by Susan.

    Each session will include presentation, demonstration, hands-on lab practice, and case discussion.

    Participants must be able and willing to engage in the hands-on exercise activities, i.e., participants cannot just watch or listen. Participant safety screening and accommodations for all movement training will be discussed and applied as they would be applied to patients.

    All sessions are led by Susan Chalela with Prof. Leslie Russek assisting.

    Course Assessment

    To receive a Certificate of Completion in the FFF approach, participants must:

    1. Attend at least 7 of 9 sessions live, and must view any missed sessions.
    2. Submit an FFF Care Plan describing an 8-session treatment program for one client using the FFF approach. The care plan must use the template provided and include the contents included in the template. Each treatment program will be reviewed by Susan and Leslie to ensure that it accurately reflects the FFF approach. If the treatment program has significant gaps, the participant will be given feedback regarding ways in which it might not have followed the FFF approach. Participants who demonstrate a full understanding of the FFF approach are eligible for the Certificate of Completion in the FFF approach. Participants may revise their FFF Care Plan once, if needed, to demonstrate competency.

    A Certificate of Attendance from the Ehlers-Danlos Society will be provided to participants at the end of the course, even if those individuals have not completed the ‘FFF Care Plan’.

    Course Fees

    The Finding Functional Foundations (FFF)™ course costs $500 USD per participant, which includes 18 hours of coursework plus course materials and access to Susan’s professionally created training videos during the course, time to complete the Care Plan Assessment, a Certificate of Completion and 18 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™ Continuing Education (CE) credits.

    Course costs are in USD (United States Dollars). Please use your preferred currency converter to convert into your local currency. Please note, refunds are not available if you are unable to complete the course.

    Equipment Needs

    Participants must also have access to some of the key equipment to engage in the lab activities; this equipment is also necessary to fully implement these principles with patients.

    Participants must have access to the following equipment to participate in the lab activities. Many participants are likely to already own some of this equipment or may be able to use their clinic equipment for the specific labs. Participants also need access to several pillows and space to lie down, sit or stand to perform movement labs.

    Click HERE to view the equipment list

    How Do I Register?

    Registration is closed for the EDS ECHO Finding Functional Foundations Course. Please check our ECHO home page, social media announcements, or subscribe to our EDS ECHO Newsletter for program updates.

EDS ECHO FUNDAMENTALS OF THE INTEGRAL MOVEMENT METHOD

The EDS ECHO Fundamentals of the Integral Movement Method (IMM) is a virtual course for healthcare professionals wishing to learn more about movement strategies that can be implemented in their own practice.

The IMM course runs from London, UK, and is led by Jeannie Di Bon. Click the banner below for more information.

  • EDS ECHO Fundamentals of the Integral Movement Method

    EDS ECHO IMM

    About EDS ECHO Fundamentals of the Integral Movement Method

    The EDS ECHO Fundamentals of the Integral Movement Method (IMM) is a virtual course facilitated and taught by Jeannie Di Bon. The course will encourage you to learn from others and share clinical experience and methods in Movement Therapy, increasing your confidence and ability to work safely and effectively with EDS and HSD clients.

    The course is suitable for healthcare therapists worldwide, working in physical therapies and seeing clients with EDS or HSD, including, for example, physiotherapists, osteopaths, Pilates teachers, yoga instructors, and personal trainers.

    The learning objectives of the course are:

    • To understand how a Movement Therapy method is effective.
    • To learn movement strategies that can be implemented in the participants’ own practice.
    • To gain confidence in assisting people with EDS and HSD with exercise.

    Course Curriculum and Structure

    The course is composed of nine sessions timetabled across a 12 or 15-week period. Each session is two hours in length and uses the Zoom platform.

    The course covers the following topics:

    • The physical, emotional, and psychological aspects of these conditions
    • Understand why we do need a unique strategy for this population of patients and clients
    • Applying the Integral Movement Method in practice
    • The pain mechanisms of hypermobility and how to manage these
    • Essential breath and relaxation techniques
    • A safe way to build proprioception
    • A new approach to stability
    • Introducing balance safely
    • Integrated posture of body and mind
    • Case study analysis to build an integrated movement programme for our patients and clients

    The format of most sessions will include didactic presentations and learning, break-out room learning exercises related to specific topics and discussions surrounding case studies.

    Participants will be required to participate in short exercise classes to help with the practical learning of the IMM principles.  These will be mat based exercises.  You may also be asked to teach another participant to demonstrate your understanding of the principles during break out room sessions.

    Course Assessment

    To gain a Certificate of Completion participants must:

    1. Attend at least 7 out of the 9 live sessions.
    2. Submit a case plan describing an 8-week exercise program for one of their clients (the ‘IMM 8-Week Client Program’). The plan will be assessed by the course lead, Jeannie Di Bon. Successful participants will be entered into a Directory of Movement Practitioners.

    A Certificate of Completion from the Ehlers-Danlos Society will also be provided at the end of the course.

    Course Fees

    The course costs $550 USD per participant, which includes 18 hours of teaching plus course materials, Care Plan assessment, Certificate of Attendance, Certificate of Completion, and inclusion on a Directory of Movement Practitioners upon successful completion of the course

    How Do I Register?

    Registration is closed for the EDS ECHO Fundamentals of the Integral Movement Method Program. Please check our ECHO home page, social media announcements, or subscribe to our EDS ECHO Newsletter for program updates.

EDS ECHO PEDIATRICS

EDS ECHO Pediatrics is a virtual program for Healthcare Professionals worldwide, across all disciplines who want to improve their ability to care for children and younger people with EDS, HSD, and associated symptoms and conditions.

Click the banner below for more information.

  • EDS ECHO Pediatrics North America

    EDS ECHO Pediatrics North America

    About EDS ECHO Pediatrics North America

    The EDS ECHO Pediatrics North America program is a virtual program for healthcare professionals worldwide, across all disciplines who want to improve their ability to care for children and younger people with EDS, HSD, and associated symptoms and conditions.

    The program consists of expert presentations and case-based interactive sessions delivered virtually via the Zoom platform. It is composed of seven sessions, each consisting of expert presentations and discussion-based interactive sessions delivered virtually via the Zoom platform. Each session is 90 minutes in length and is led by Dr. Sarah Schwartz and Constance O’Connor from Toronto, Canada.

    Program Fees

    There is a nominal fee of $70 USD per participant for this program.

    How Do I Register?

    Registration for this program is Open. Click here for more information, including the program schedule and to register.

EDS ECHO HEALTHCARE STUDENT PROGRAM

EDS ECHO at The Ehlers-Danlos Society is delighted to invite applications for the EDS ECHO Healthcare Student Program for 2025. This unique program is supported by a generous donation and is available to participants for free. Students studying any healthcare discipline at a recognized organization/institution anywhere around the world may apply.

  • EDS ECHO Healthcare Student Program

    EDS ECHO Healthcare Student Program

    About EDS ECHO Healthcare Student Program

    EDS ECHO at The Ehlers-Danlos Society is delighted to invite applications for the EDS ECHO Healthcare Student Program for 2025. This unique program is supported by a generous donation and is available to participants for free. Students studying any healthcare discipline at a recognized organization/institution anywhere around the world may apply. The term healthcare discipline is broad and includes, for example, anyone studying physical therapies, occupational therapy, podiatry, nutrition, clinical psychology, counselling, nursing, midwifery, pharmacy, medical assistant practice, paramedic practice, dentistry or medicine etc.

    EDS ECHO has six years of experience running a breadth of educational programs that cover all the disciplines involved in the care of people with Ehlers-Danlos syndromes (EDS) or Hypermobility Spectrum Disorders (HSD). Our portfolio includes programs in Pediatric and Adult Medicine, Allied Health Professional Practice, Clinical Genetics, and themed specialty programs, e.g., Nutrition. Through this and other major programs of work at The Ehlers-Danlos Society we have developed an extensive network of clinicians, clinical researchers, and laboratory academics who support our educational projects. 

    How to Apply

    Each Healthcare Student Program award is equivalent to $1400 in value. Twenty awards are available and will be allocated competitively based on completion of our application process which includes a personal statement as to what you wish to gain from participating in the program.

    Applications will be accepted through October 18, 2024 at 5:00pm Eastern Time (US & Canada).

    Registration for this program is closed. Please check our ECHO home page, social media announcements, or subscribe to our EDS ECHO Newsletter for program updates.

EDS ECHO NUTRITION

The EDS ECHO Nutrition program is a learning and networking opportunity for qualified nutrition professionals and healthcare professionals interested in understanding more about the role of diet and nutrition in supporting associated symptoms and conditions of Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome and Hypermobility Spectrum Disorders.

  • EDS ECHO Nutrition Australasia

    The EDS ECHO Nutrition Australasia program will launch in May 2026. To receive updates and registration information, please subscribe to our EDS ECHO Newsletter.

Sign up to The Ehlers-Danlos Society mailing list

Click here to sign up