Hello and welcome!
I'm Constance (she/her), creator and owner of TheBendyOT.com. I am a licensed and board certified Occupational Therapist in NY. I'm also a Hypermobile Ehlers Danlos warrior! I am priviledged to get to share my love and knowledge of everything health, strengthening, healing and self care with both my beautiful local community of the North Fork and virtually for NYS residents to help others on their path to healing.
If you or someone you know can benefit from this service please feel free to reach out for more information and with any questions.
The Bendy OT
About Me.
A little about myself, I am a proud Air Force Medic veteran. I served for 7 years and it is what led me to my dream of becoming an Occupational Therapist.
I graduated from Stony Brook University Occupational Therapy program June 2024 and have been enjoying working in the Home Care Setting, treating the geriatric population, which I love! The journey of becoming an OT has been very long and challenging but it has taught me so much about myself and how I can help others.
Along the journey, I had difficulty finding my niche in the OT world (where I wanted to specialize due to so many interests), then I went through my own health battle/discovery. My body and mind crashed on me and it was all invisible to my medical team, so it was up to me to figure it out. I discovered, learned about and have been diagnosed with Hypermobile EDS, and various other comorbidities.
With my combination of past military medical experience, graduate school education, my own health struggles and personal diagnosis of hEDs and also my passion for helping others, I am the perfect holistic health provider to help guide you on your way to strengthening and healing internally and externally.
Occupational Therapy
What is Occupational Therapy and is it right for you?
What is Occupational Therapy (OT)?
Occupational Therapy is a holistic, client-centered therapy approach that helps individuals become stronger, both physically and mentally allowing for greater independence in any and all aspects of a persons life!
How can OT help me living with a connective tissue disorder?
Occupational Therapy is individualized to each clients needs, wants and abilities. It can help address and treat pain, proprioception, balance, muscle tone, and overall physical fitness but OT can also help individuals with memory, attention, problem-solving, and executive function difficulties. Occupational Therapists have the deep understanding of medical conditions and the ability to find creative solutions to daily life challenges.
OT for hEDS/HSD & Comorbities
Hypermobility has often been overlooked and misunderstood. My own personal health crisis w/undiagnosed hEDS until the age of 36 led me to truly understanding the impact of it and how to manage and strengthen the body without causing more damage resulting in more flares ups! I view the body as a whole and will help guide you with better choices and alternative strategies and/or equipment that will assist in improving your quality of life.
Conditions
Hypermobile Ehlers Danlos Syndrome
& other EDS subtypes
Neurocognitive Disorders
Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia
Neurodivergent Condtions
Hypermobility Spectrum Disorders
Conditions
Ehlers Danlos Syndrome (EDS)
General Characteristics
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Joint Hypermobility
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Skin Hyperextensibility
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Tissue Fragility
Ehlers Danlos Syndrome is a group of 13 known connective tissue disorders that can be inherited and vary in how they impact the body and individual.
Connective tissue is the material that binds, supports, separates tissues and organs everywhere in the body. It provides strength, flexibility, and helps perform general functions and specialized services.
Hypermobile Ehlers Danlos Syndrome (hEDS) is believed to be the most common yet is without a genetic marker known at this time.
Hypermobile Ehlers Danlos Syndrome (hEDS)
Possible Associated Features
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Chronic pain and fatigue
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Dysautonomia
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Gastrointestinal issues
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TMJ and dental problems
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Cervical and Spine problems
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Mast Cell Activation Disorder (MCAD or MCAS)
Hypermobile Ehlers Danlos Syndrome can impact any and all aspects of an individuals body at any given time, especially those whom have acquired an associated co-morbidity such as MCAS or POTS. hEDS is a complicated condition and is often under-diagnosed due to the lack of education in our healthcare system and the invisibility aspect of symptoms with ability to mask pain.
Hypermobility Spectrum Disorders (HSD)
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Joint Hypermobility (JH) can be localized or affect all joints
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HSD range from JH with no other symptoms to complex HSD w/ the same life-altering symptoms of hEDS
Hypermobility Spectrum Disorder is a group of conditions related to joint hypermobility and is a diagnosis of exclusion, made after all other possible conditions resulting in joint hypermobility (JH) are considered.
People living with HSD can experience the same severity of symptoms as those living with hEDS.
My Approach
I believe that the body needs to be addressed as a whole, with treatments focusing on multiple areas in a session rather than treating one ailment at a time.
Booking Policy
This practice does not have contracts with any private insurers, Medicare, and Medicaid. Payments are required at the time of booking and can be made with credit card and apple pay.
There is no standard or limit of sessions. I will provide you an estimated timeframe of how many sessions I feel would be beneficial for each client after an evaluation and you choose/book based on your own needs and abilities.
Appointments are scheduled for 1 hour to allow us enough time to discuss and treat multiple areas of need.
Appointments can be booked for in-person or telehealth via zoom.