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Acorn Health Blog

What we love is great health...

...and we like to write about how we can all achieve better health, naturally. Sometimes tips on how you can DIY to better health and sometimes on the therapies that can make a difference to you, your health and wellbeing.
Thank you for reading, We hope you enjoy :)

Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS) and Hypermobility: Understanding Symptoms and Support Options

General Health & Wellbeing, Personal stories, Therapies Posted by JadwigaPosted on Fri, May 01, 2026 12:54PM

Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS) and Hypermobility: Understanding Symptoms and Support Options

May is Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS) and Hypermobility Spectrum Disorder (HSD) Awareness Month. These conditions affect connective tissue in the body, which plays a key role in supporting joints, skin, blood vessels, and internal structures.

For many people, EDS or HSD is first noticed through joint hypermobility, frequent sprains, or ongoing pain that does not fully explain itself. Others may experience fatigue, digestive issues, dizziness, or a general feeling that the body does not hold together in a stable way.

Although hypermobility is sometimes described as being “very flexible” or “double jointed“, EDS and HSD are medical conditions where that flexibility comes with instability, discomfort, and a wide range of additional symptoms that can affect daily life.

What are EDS and HSD?

EDS and HSD are conditions that affect connective tissue strength and stability. When connective tissue is more fragile or overly elastic, it can affect how joints and other structures behave.

Common symptoms can include:

  • Joint hypermobility and instability
  • Joint pain or frequent subluxations and dislocations
  • Muscle fatigue and weakness
  • Digestive issues such as IBS-type symptoms
  • Headaches or dizziness
  • Slow recovery after physical activity
  • Anxiety linked to unpredictable symptoms

HSD is used when hypermobility causes symptoms but does not meet full diagnostic criteria for EDS. The experience of both conditions can overlap significantly.

How EDS and HSD affect daily life

Living with EDS or HSD is often unpredictable. One day the body may feel manageable, and the next day simple movement can feel exhausting or painful.

Many people describe needing to plan activities carefully, pace themselves, and manage flare-ups that can come without clear warning. Because symptoms are not always visible, others may not realise the level of effort involved in everyday tasks.

Over time, the body can also develop protective patterns, tightening muscles to create stability. While this is a natural response, it can add further discomfort and fatigue.

Why a whole-body approach matters

EDS and HSD rarely affect just one area of the body. Instead, they involve multiple systems, which means support often works best when it is individualised and layered.

The aim is not to “fix” the condition, but to support comfort, stability, energy, and nervous system regulation so that daily life feels more manageable.

Support available for EDS and HSD

At Acorn Natural Health Centre, different approaches can support people living with hypermobility-related conditions. Each therapy works in a different way, and many people find that combining approaches is helpful.

Jadwiga James – Homeopathy, Bioresonance and EMTT
These approaches focus on the body as a whole system, working with energetic and regulatory processes. They are often used by people looking for gentle, non-invasive support for long-term patterns and imbalance.

Anne Marie Walker – Massage Therapy
Massage can help reduce muscular tension that builds up when the body is working hard to stabilise joints. Treatments are adapted carefully to avoid overstretching and to focus on comfort, circulation, and easing strain.

George Timby – Sports Massage and Rehabilitation
Rehabilitation-based work can support muscle strength, movement control, and joint stability. This is often useful for improving function and reducing strain on overcompensating areas of the body.

Jan Cooper – Nutritional Therapy
Nutritional therapy can support digestive symptoms, energy levels, inflammation, and recovery. Many people with EDS and HSD experience gut-related issues, so a personalised approach can be helpful in identifying triggers and improving balance.

Sally Race – Hypnotherapy and EMDR
Living with ongoing physical symptoms can affect the nervous system. Hypnotherapy and EMDR can support stress regulation, reduce anxiety linked to symptoms, and help the brain respond more calmly to physical sensations.

Ranjana Mitra – Counselling
Counselling offers space to process the emotional impact of living with a long-term condition. This can include frustration, fatigue, uncertainty, and the effect on identity, relationships, and daily life.

EDS and HSD are complex connective tissue conditions that affect the body in multiple ways. While symptoms can be challenging, understanding the condition and accessing appropriate support can make a meaningful difference to daily life.

Awareness helps more people recognise that these experiences are real, valid, and deserving of informed care and support.

If you want to find out more about living with EDS and HSD, visit EDSUK– the only UK-based charity supporting people with connective tissue disorders.

Where we are

Acorn Natural Health Centre
17a Market Place, Heanor, DE75 7AA

Supporting clients across Heanor, Derbyshire, and surrounding areas.



World Suicide Prevention Day: How to Spot Low Mood and Reach Out with Compassion 🧡

General Health & Wellbeing, Personal stories Posted by JadwigaPosted on Fri, August 23, 2024 01:19PM

by Sally Race

Every year, World Suicide Prevention Day serves as a poignant reminder that each one of us has the power to make a difference in someone’s life. In a world where mental health struggles often remain hidden behind smiles and social facades, it is crucial to become more aware of the subtle signs of distress in those around us. This awareness can empower us to offer the support that could potentially save a life.

Recognising the Signs of Low Mood

Low mood is often the precursor to more severe mental health issues, including suicidal thoughts. Recognising it in someone can be challenging, especially when they may be trying to conceal their feelings. However, there are key signs to look out for:

1. Changes in Behaviour: One of the most noticeable indicators is a shift in a person’s usual behaviour. They may become withdrawn, avoiding social interactions they once enjoyed. Alternatively, they might display sudden irritability or anger, reacting more strongly to situations than they typically would.

2. Loss of Interest: A person experiencing low mood may lose interest in activities they previously found pleasurable. Hobbies, work, or even spending time with loved ones may no longer hold the same appeal.

3. Physical Symptoms: Sometimes, emotional distress manifests physically. Look out for signs such as changes in sleep patterns, whether that be insomnia or excessive sleeping, changes in appetite, or unexplained aches and pains.

4. Expressing Hopelessness: If someone begins to talk about feeling hopeless, helpless, or trapped, take it seriously. Phrases like “What’s the point?” or “I just can’t see a way out” are red flags that they might be experiencing deep despair.

5. Decline in Self-Care: Neglecting personal hygiene or a noticeable lack of care in appearance can also be indicative of a low mood. It may reflect a loss of motivation or a sense that they no longer see value in taking care of themselves.

How to Reach Out and Offer Support

If you suspect someone you care about is struggling, reaching out to them can feel daunting. You might worry about saying the wrong thing or making the situation worse. However, the worst thing you can do is nothing. Here are some compassionate ways to approach the conversation:

1. Choose the Right Moment: Find a quiet, private place where you can talk without interruptions. Timing is also important; try to choose a moment when the person seems more relaxed, if possible.

2. Express Your Concern Gently:  Start the conversation by expressing your concern in a non-judgmental way. You might say something like, “I’ve noticed that you’ve seemed a bit down lately, and I’m worried about you. Is everything okay?”

3. Listen Without Judgement: If they open up, listen to them without interrupting or offering immediate solutions. Sometimes, just having someone listen can provide a tremendous sense of relief. Avoid making assumptions or minimising their feelings, as this can lead to them shutting down.

4. Offer Your Support: Let them know you’re there for them, whatever they’re going through. Simple statements like “You’re not alone” or “I’m here for you, no matter what” can be incredibly powerful.

5. Encourage Professional Help: While your support is invaluable, encourage them to seek professional help as well. You could say, “Have you thought about talking to a therapist or counsellor? I could help you find someone if you’d like.”

6. Follow Up: After your initial conversation, continue to check in with them. Letting them know that your concern wasn’t just a one-off will reinforce that they are valued and supported.

The Importance of Self-Care

Supporting someone in distress can be emotionally draining, so it’s crucial to take care of your own mental health as well. Ensure you have your own support system in place, whether that be friends, family, or a therapist. Remember, you cannot pour from an empty cup.

Final Thoughts

World Suicide Prevention Day is a time for all of us to reflect on the ways we can support those around us. By learning to recognise the signs of low mood and reaching out with compassion, we can each play a part in preventing suicide. Your words and actions, no matter how small they may seem, could make all the difference in someone’s life.

Remember, you don’t have to be an expert to offer support—you just have to care. Let’s work together to create a world where everyone feels heard, valued, and supported.

Take care of yourself and those around you, Sally 🧡



Mind Your Weight at Acorn

General Health & Wellbeing, Personal stories, Workshops & Classes Posted by JadwigaPosted on Tue, July 30, 2024 11:24AM

by Jan Cooper, Nutritional Therapist

You’ve probably noticed Mind Your Weight at Acorn and wondered if it’s for you. We’re not your run of the mill diet group, or about making you feel hungry and depriving yourself, we are all about understanding what to eat, and when and how to eat it so that you lose weight sustainably and keep it off for the long term. Isn’t that what most people want? You might have a few pounds to lose so you fit into your clothes more comfortably or you might feel you’ve lost control and have really piled the weight on over the years – wherever you are, we’re here to help.

We are Sally (Clinical Hypnotherapist) and Jan (Nutritional Therapist), and have been running Mind Your Weight for a while now and are seeing some great results, but don’t just take our word for it…

Read about C who has been coming to MYW since February. When C first joined Mind Your Weight, she was facing a frustrating challenge many women experience around menopause—persistent weight gain, especially around her middle. Despite being diligent with exercise and previous attempts to lose weight, the stubborn pounds just wouldn’t budge.

C came into the program with an open mind and ready to try something new. She was open to leaving behind the typical weight loss advice she had always followed, like low-fat diets, calorie counting, and cutting down portion sizes. Instead, she was eager to discover a different approach. She embraced the Mind Your Weight program and learned so much about food, her body, and her mind. Here’s what she discovered:

I learnt which foods to eat and why they were beneficial for me. I started to understand the nutritional value of these foods and how they contributed to my overall health. I learnt exactly what to put on my plate!

The program taught me about how the body functions and why certain weight loss methods work and why some result in rebound weight gain. This all helped me to make smarter choices and feel more confident in what to eat.

They taught us about the psychological side of eating – why we sometimes make unhealthy choices or fall into habits that don’t support our weight loss. It’s all about learning practical techniques to help keep us on the right path. This made it easier for me to stay on track and make better decisions.

The most exciting part was how it helped me integrate new, healthy habits into my everyday life. These changes didn’t feel like a struggle or a strict diet—they became part of my everyday routine and made me feel great too!

I lost 7 kilograms (over a stone) in 4 months without ever feeling like I was on a diet. It wasn’t a quick fix and as the weight gradually came off, I felt healthier and that I was developing lasting habits.

C’s experience of Mind Your Weight is a wonderful example of how a holistic approach to weight management can make a real difference. By focusing on both the physical and emotional aspects of eating, she was able to change her relationship with food and embrace a healthier lifestyle. C is happy that she is now much more in control of her weight and body shape and is confident in her ability to keep it off for good. The bonus is that she’s also healthier too!

Find out more about Mind Your Weight at Acorn


My hypnobirthing experience

Personal stories Posted by Little AcornPosted on Fri, May 13, 2016 08:34PM

By Rebecca Slater

There is a saying “Giving birth should be your greatest achievement not your greatest fear”. When I found out I was pregnant in March 2015 I was over the moon but having had a lifetime of hearing people’s birth horror stories and seeing the media portraying pregnancy and birth as something to be feared I have to admit I felt more like I was about to face my greatest fear rather than my greatest achievement.

At the time if somebody had told me that I would feel so empowered by my pregnancy and birth experience that I would become a hypnobirthing practitioner I would have laughed, but that’s exactly what happened.

My fear of pregnancy and birth was pretty intense so I knew I was going to need some help if I was going to be able to enjoy my pregnancy. I did my research and came across Mindful Mamma hypnobirthing, a one day mindful hypnobirthing course that I hoped would help me feel more confident and in control.

At 32 weeks pregnant my husband and I attended the Mindful Mamma course, prior to which I had read the book and had been listening to the hypnobirthing track every day from about 24 weeks. I was really impressed with what I learnt and felt totally chilled throughout the pregnancy and was just looking forward to my babies’ arrival. It also really helped my husband know what his role would be during the birth as I think sometimes birth partners can feel a bit out of it and not fully confident in knowing how they can help and how important they are.

What I loved about the course was that it wasn’t at all how hypnobirthing is often portrayed. A lot of people think hypnobirthing is only for those who want a home birth or that those who do it are all hippies, this wasn’t the case at all. The tools and skills I acquired from Mindful Mamma can be utilised at any type of birth, it didn’t just promote undisturbed birth it also encouraged the use of hypnosis for birth alongside mindfulness techniques for medicalised births, such as inductions and caesareans.

By utilising the tools that Mindful Mamma had furnished me with I sailed through pregnancy and although I didn’t end up having the birth that I had planned I felt totally in control throughout the whole experience and when my baby made his very chilled arrival into the world on Wednesday 25th November I knew that I definitely experienced my greatest achievement.

From day one people have commented about what a calm, contented baby he is and nearly six months on that hasn’t changed. I think Mindful Mama played a huge part in this as it helped me relax and stay calm not only during the birth but also throughout the pregnancy, which I believe my baby picked up on.

I think that many people feel that they have had a negative birth experience because they see birth as something that has happened to them rather than something that they have had a say in and control over. I became a Mindful Mamma practitioner as I want more women and their birth partners to feel empowered by birth and this can be achieved by helping with creating positive mind-set through a variety of hypnobirthing and mindfulness techniques and also by giving them the tools they need to feel confident enough to ask questions that will help them make the decisions that are right for them and their baby.

I will be holding classes once a month at Acorn Natural Health Centre to find out more visit http://www.mindfulmamma.co.uk/rebecca-slater-ilkeston-heanor-and-surrounding-areas/