Becca’s Top 10 Products
(for hypermobility)
If you or your child experiences low tone, hypermobility, fatigue, or dysautonomia, check out this list of Becca’s top 10 products that make her life more comfortable!
#9 - Handheld Massager
A good mini/portable massager is a must-have for when muscle spasms and pain happen when you are out and about. A few minutes of vibration and pressure can help your body make it a little longer and enjoy your day a little more. (Plus, it’s fun) (Plus, plus, vibration can help with body awareness by providing high intensity sensory stimulation!)
#8 - Compression Socks
Those of us with hypermobile joints often suffer from fallen arches, unstable ankles, and poor body awareness - which as you can imagine, often leads to clumsiness and painful walking conditions. Compression socks are such a helpful tool. They help the blood flow back to your heart instead of pooling in your feet. They help to support your arches and your ankles while you walk. AND… compression provides deep pressure to support your body awareness - making it a little less likely that you trip, fall, and injure yourself!
#6
Sometimes a travel pillow (a really supportive one) can be better than a full sized pillow because it can fit in nooks and crannies of your body that need the most support. For example, a hypermobile neck may not have enough rigidity to prevent it from bending too much (and even slipping discs) while you sleep. Making sure each part of your body is supported while you sleep makes for a much more comfortable next day.
#8
*consult your doctor for your specific recommended dosage
Salt pills are a much easier way to get the recommended amount of sodium per day than trying to EAT it. These capsules also have no taste or smell so they do not trigger my gag reflex and I don’t mind swallowing them. The extra strength version cuts down on the number of capsules I need to carry with me. What a difference in my energy level when I have enough salt and water in my day!
#7
It can be incredibly hard for me to drink enough water in a day because I don’t ever feel thirsty AND I have a floppy trachea (which can make swallowing tricky). By adding flavor to the water, it is a lot easer to drink in larger volumes. (Of course I’d rather drink only coffee all day but apparently that is not appropriately hydrating - haha!) Bonus - the electrolytes help keep my sodium up and decrease fatigue from POTS.
#4 - Owala Water Bottle
Drinking enough water during a day is so hard but so important for the ability to get through the day. I love the Owala bottles. They offer the ability to sip from the straw or pour into your mouth to make sipping and swallowing as comfortable and flexible as possible to meet your changing needs. Plus, the fun colors improve my mood.
#3- Fitbit Charge 6
Knowledge is power. The more you know about your symptoms and vital signs, the more control you have over influencing them. I love to track my heartrate and sleep quality. I am also able to share my health trends with my doctors so they can more accurately track my POTS and other symptoms. When my heartrate goes too high, my Fitbit reminds me to take it easy so that I don’t pass out. Thank you, Fitbit! (Also, the battery lasts a week on one charge, as opposed to my previous Apple watch where the battery barely made it through a single day.)
#2 - Weighted Heating Pad (with vibration)
What is more comforting than a weighted blanket with heat? One that also has therapeutic vibration! This is a must have for anyone with sore or spasming muscles or anyone whose nervous system benefits from deep pressure and soothing sensory inputs. This is a crucial step in recovery from overdoing it. (A good heating pad should never be far away when you experience dysautonomia and have trouble regulating your body temperature!)
