Finding Functional Foundations™ (FFF)
Treat hEDS & Hypermobility With Confidence
Become the Specialist Clinicians Refer To
Treating Hypermobile Patients
Most PTs and OTs feel unprepared when faced with hypermobile patients. The Finding Functional Foundations™ (FFF) program gives you a proven roadmap, so you stop second-guessing, deliver better outcomes, and grow your reputation as a go-to expert. Taught by two hypermobile PT experts recognized in their field not only in decades of clinical practice, but international published research efforts.
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Meet the Experts
The FFF is co-taught by a powerhouse combination of clinician expertise in Susan Chalela, MPT and Leslie Russek, DPT, PhD. Together, they have spent decades treating complex hypermobility and hEDS patients. Susan and Leslie created the FFF Program after mentoring dozens of PTs and OTs who all said the same thing: “Why didn’t anyone teach me this in school?”
Learn more about them to know you have the global trust of internationally recognized leaders in hypermobile Physical Therapy.
COURSE OVERVIEW & SAMPLE SCHEDULE
Delivered through the EDS Society ECHO Program
EDS ECHO at The Ehlers-Danlos Society is delighted to share applications are now open for licensed physical therapists/physiotherapists, and licensed occupational therapists and occupational therapy assistants, wanting to learn how to use principles of neuroplasticity to retrain alignment and stability in hypermobile patients.
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The EDS ECHO Finding Functional Foundations™ (FFF) course approach uses biofeedback and specific cuing methods, to retrain the brain allowing patients to:
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Improve faulty proprioception
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Strengthen deep stabilizers
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Learn proper physical alignment, and; a
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Apply those skills to functional movement.
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This leads to decreased pain and neurological symptoms, and improved function.
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The treatment approach focuses on the management of older adolescents and adults. However, there will be optional supplementary sessions and content providing modifications for clinicians working with pediatric patients over 10 years old.
The course includes 18 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™ Continuing Education (CE) credits.
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Please note that the FFF Course is not an introduction to EDS and HSD and prior attendance of selected EDS ECHO programs is strongly encouraged.
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Learn more about this course and apply here: https://www.ehlers-danlos.com/eds-echo-finding.../
About the Program
What happens when a hypermobile patient walks into your PT clinic?
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You second-guess every exercise: will this help or harm?
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You wonder if you’re making joints worse instead of stronger.
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You feel unprepared — because PT school never covered this.
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You’re frustrated knowing patients can sense your uncertainty.
You’re not alone — and it’s not your fault. Traditional PT education wasn’t built for this population. But the demand for skilled clinicians is exploding.​ ​
That’s Why We Built the Finding Functional Foundations™ (FFF)
The FFF Training Program is the only PT/OT training designed specifically for hypermobility and Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (EDS) and hypermobile patients. Built on years of clinical experience, research, and teaching, FFF equips you with a clear, step-by-step framework you can apply immediately in practice.
What You’ll Learn:
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How to evaluate hypermobile patients safely and systematically
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What to avoid — the most common PT mistakes that cause harm
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Evidence-based stabilization & proprioception strategies
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Exercise progressions tailored for fragile, unstable bodies
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Real case studies you can model in your own clinic
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Confidence to position yourself as a specialist in demand
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Who Can Take This Course?
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This course is for licensed health care providers who currently treat patients with HSD/hEDS, and who already have a basic knowledge of HSD/hEDS and the common comorbidities (especially POTS, MCAS, and cervical instability).
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For clinicians looking to get a broad base of knowledge about HSD/hEDS, we strongly recommend the Ehlers-Danlos Society Allied Health Providers ECHO program. (https://www.ehlers-danlos.com/eds-echo-healthcare-professionals/)
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Why Now Is the Best Time to Specialize in Hypermobile and EDS Care
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hEDS and hypermobility patients are the most underserved specialty population in PT today often dismissed, disbelieved and sometimes harmed by traditional PT.
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Referrals are skyrocketing as more doctors recognize EDS.
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Patients are actively searching for clinicians who understand their condition — and they’ll travel for the right care.
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PTs and OTs with hEDS expertise stand out, attract referrals, and can grow thriving specialty practices.
Don’t wait until your next complex patient leaves you second-guessing, or worse injured or in more pain than when they came in. Be ready.
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Find a FFF Trained Provider in The Directory
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Inside the Finding Functional Foundations™ (FFF)Training
The program is delivered over 9 weeks, combining self-paced modules with live mentorship support through accreditation with the ECHO Program through the EDS Society, the global nonprofit leader in EDS. Broadly, you will gain the following best practices:
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Foundations – Understanding hypermobility, hEDS, and the PT gap
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Assessment – How to evaluate safely and identify key priorities
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Stabilization – Building joint safety, neuromuscular control, and proprioception
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Progression – Advancing safely from basic stability to functional tasks
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Mistakes to Avoid – Preventing flares, subluxations, and setbacks
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Case Studies & Application – Real-world patients, practical scenarios
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Mentorship & Community – Get your questions answered, build confidence
Bonus Materials:
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Downloadable templates & exercise progressions
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Patient education handouts (ready to use in clinic)
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Access to private clinician forum
Enroll & Start Training Today!
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The patients are waiting and searching for you. Will you be ready?
Every day, patients with hEDS are searching for a PT or OT who understands them. With FFF, that can be you. Don’t keep second-guessing — step into your role as the confident, trusted expert.
Learn More or Join the FFF Training Program Today
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