About Us
Physical Therapist. Educator. Advocate.
With over 30 years of experience treating EDS, CCI, and complex hypermobility cases, Susan created the Functional Foundations Framework to empower patients with safer rehab and clinicians with the training they were never taught in traditional PT school.
Founder of The Chalela Physical Therapy Institute
for EDS and CCI/Cervical Instabilities
Susan Chalela, MPT
With over 30 years of clinical experience and a Master of Physical Therapy degree from the Institute of Physical Therapy in St. Augustine, Florida, Susan has built a career spanning various specialties including orthopedics, sports medicine, neurological rehabilitation, aquatic therapy, ergonomics, osteoporosis, and more.
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Susan dedicates her practice to treating patients with Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS) and varying degrees of the spectrum of hypermobility disorders. She collaborates with Dr. Sunil Patel, a leading neurosurgeon who treats hEDS patients at MUSC with his expertise in CCI and EDS-related spinal issues, helping his patients avoid surgery, regain function, and reduce pain.
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Susan is available for post-operative PT during short local recovery and longer-term care for local residents. See her full suite of PT services for patients in her clinic available both in-person and telehealth.
Meet Susan Chalela
Expertise & Publications
Drawing from her personal experience as someone living with hypermobile EDS, Susan brings a unique depth of empathy and insight to her work. She survived a stroke and, through her recovery, learned the importance of neuroplasticity and proprioception—knowledge she now integrates into her innovative treatment approach.
Today, Susan’s internationally respected method combines biomechanics with neuroplasticity to address the root causes of instability in patients with hypermobility. Her work primarily focuses on cervical instability, but she emphasizes the importance of treating the entire body to create a stable foundation for the cervical spine.
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Read some of the research publications Susan has been instrumental in designing for Upper Cervical Instability for this patient population with Russek including their international consortium paper, the patient guide and webinars linked below sharing what they’ve learned. Susan regularly speaks to nonprofits and patient communities including this 2025 Thrive Summit talk with Bobby Jones CSF.org and MUSC.
Research Publications
2024
PT Management Using Neuroplasticity Approach for Patients with Hypermobility-related Upper Cervical Instability
Chalela S, Russek LN. Presentation and physical therapy management using a neuroplasticity approach for patients with hypermobility-related upper cervical instability: a brief report.
Front Neurol. 2024;15:1459115.​​
2022
PT Management Using Neuroplasticity Approach for Patients with Hypermobility-related Upper Cervical Instability
Presentation and physical therapy management using a neuroplasticity approach for patients with hypermobility-related upper cervical instability: a brief report
EDS Society video​​
Patient Handouts
The EDS ECHO Finding Functional Foundations™ (FFF) Course
The EDS ECHO Finding Functional Foundations™ (FFF) course, taught by Susan Chalela and Prof Leslie Russek, PT, PhD, is designed for licensed physical therapists/physiotherapists treating hypermobile patients aged 10 years and above. The course teaches how to apply principles of neuroplasticity to retrain alignment, stability, and proprioception in this patient population. Using biofeedback and targeted cuing methods, participants will learn how to help patients correct faulty proprioception, strengthen deep stabilizers, improve physical alignment, and translate these skills to functional movement. This ultimately results in decreased pain, reduced neurological symptoms, and improved overall function.
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Susan’s clinical expertise, especially with cervical instability, is integrated into the course, making it a comprehensive learning experience for therapists aiming to provide more effective care for hypermobile patients.
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And the combination of Leslie Russek’s research background and professorial expertise in teaching, together they make a great team offering evidence-based education you cannot get elsewhere.
