In the season five finale of the Bendy Bodies Podcast, Dr. Linda Bluestein reflects on powerful listener feedback and opens up important conversations about language, intent, and identity in medicine. She clarifies the purpose behind episodes on pain neuroscience and mast cells in autism, acknowledges the concerns raised, and discusses the fine line between supporting physiology and honoring identity. She also addresses concerns raised about the neuroplasticity episode, reaffirming that the intent was never to minimize anyone’s pain or suggest a one‑size‑fits‑all approach. Instead, the goal was to share information that some may find empowering while honoring the reality and validity of every person’s experience.  Dr. Bluestein also revisits the ongoing “Road to 2026” diagnostic criteria update for hEDS (hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome), highlighting why labels matter for some patients and not for others. This wrap-up episode closes the season with transparency, humility, and a call for continued dialogue in the community.

Takeaways

Why pain is always real—even when labeled “non-structural”

How mast cell research intersects with autism without erasing identity

Why a hEDS diagnosis matters for some patients—but not for all

What the upcoming 2026 hEDS criteria changes could mean for the community

How listener feedback shapes the future of Bendy Bodies

Find the episode transcipt here.

Want more Dr. Linda Bluestein, MD?

Website:  ⁠⁠https://www.hypermobilitymd.com/⁠⁠.

YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠youtube.com/@bendybodiespodcast⁠⁠⁠ 

Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/hypermobilitymd/⁠⁠⁠ 

Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/BendyBodiesPodcast⁠⁠⁠ 

X: ⁠⁠⁠https://twitter.com/BluesteinLinda⁠⁠⁠ 

LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/hypermobilitymd/⁠⁠⁠ 

Newsletter: ⁠⁠⁠https://hypermobilitymd.substack.com/⁠⁠⁠

Shop my Amazon store ⁠⁠⁠https://www.amazon.com/shop/hypermobilitymd⁠⁠⁠

Thank YOU so much for tuning in. We hope you found this episode informative, inspiring, useful, validating, and enjoyable. Join us on the next episode for YOUR time to level up your knowledge about hypermobility disorders and the people who have them.

Join YOUR Bendy Bodies community at ⁠⁠https://www.bendybodiespodcast.com/⁠⁠.

YOUR bendy body is our highest priority!

Use this affiliate link for Algonot to get an extra 5% off your entire order: ⁠⁠https://algonot.com/coupon/bendbod/⁠⁠

FTC: This video is not sponsored. Links are commissionable, meaning I may earn commission from purchases made through links

Learn more about Human Content at ⁠⁠⁠http://www.human-content.com⁠⁠⁠

Podcast Advertising/Business Inquiries: ⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠⁠

Part of the Human Content Podcast Network

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices