Ep. 18: Hypermobility + Scoliosis: What Your Team Could Miss feat. Dr. Kate
In this episode, Dr. Laura and Dr. Beth welcome their guest, Dr. Kate Bacigalupo, PT, hypermobility specialist and co-founder of the Elements Collective, for a powerful conversation about the often-overlooked connection between scoliosis and hypermobility.
Dr. Kate shares how her career began with a single patient with Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (EDS), which has shaped her clinical focus for the past decade. Now practicing at Physio Elements in Long Island and co-leading the virtual Elements Collective, she bridges the gap between connective tissue disorders, chronic pain, pelvic health, and scoliosis care.
Listen in to learn:
Why hypermobility is more common in people with scoliosis (and vice versa)
The challenges of diagnosing hypermobility using tools like the Beighton Score
How chronic pain and nervous system sensitivity complicate treatment
Why traditional “tighten everything” rehab approaches may backfire
The critical role of proprioception and breathwork in restoring stability
How scoliosis-specific exercise needs to be adapted for hypermobile patients
Why some patients feel worse after traditional scoliosis therapy
The importance of collaborative, nuanced, individualized care
Dr. Kate introduces the Elements Collective, a 12-week virtual program designed to help hypermobile individuals build strength, trust their bodies, and break the chronic pain cycle through mindful movement and nervous system-informed training.
This conversation is essential listening for:
People living with scoliosis and hypermobility
Parents of hypermobile kids and teens
Providers treating complex spine conditions
Anyone who has felt unseen or misunderstood in traditional rehab settings
In summary, if you have both scoliosis and hypermobility, your treatment must reflect both. Education, advocacy, and individualized care are game changers.
Click to go to the podcast webpage!
About Our Guest:
Dr. Kate Bacigalupo, PT, specializes in hypermobility, chronic pain, and connective tissue disorders. She practices in Long Island at Physio Elements and co-founded the Elements Collective, a virtual wellness platform focused on nervous system-informed movement and hypermobility education.
Work with Dr. Kate:
Virtually via The Elements Collective
Locally via PhysioElements
Connect with Kate on Instagram: @thehyperphysio_kate
Tune in for an eye-opening discussion about why hypermobility and scoliosis may be more connected than we think — and how better awareness can change outcomes for so many.
Join the conversation:
Have questions about scoliosis-specific PT or want help finding a trained therapist? Reach out to Dr. Laura or Dr. Beth
And don’t forget to follow, rate, and share ScoliPod to help more people discover evidence-based scoliosis care.
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