Better Mobility Lab

Hypermobility-related issues throughout the lifespan

Dr. Brad T. Tinkle, MD, PhD, is a clinical geneticist at Peyton Manning Children's Hospital. He serves mostly the connective tissue population including bone disorders, Marfan syndrome, hypermobility spectrum/Ehlers-Danlos syndromes, and other heritable connective tissue disorders. He currently sees 25-30 connective tissue patients weekly of all ages for one of the largest such clinics in North America.

Navigating Life with Ehlers Danlos Syndromes: What the Evidence Says and How to Take Charge of Your Health

Dr. Nimish Mittal (MBBS, MD, MSc) is an Assistant Professor at the Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Division of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. Dr. Mittal holds a cross-appointment in the Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine and the Faculty of Kinesiology and Physical Education. He holds a Master’s in Health Research Methodology. Dr Mittal has an extensive experience of providing care in a variety of pain conditions. These include local joint and muscle pains to complex chronic pain conditions. Additionally, he is an expert in pains related to rare disorders like Sickle Cell Disease and Ehlers Danlos Syndromes. He is also a provider for several Canadian and international athletes. Dr. Mittal is a frequently invited speaker at multiple international conferences and has published more than 50 articles in national and international peer-reviewed journals. His research and clinical interests are focused on developing treatment pathways and models of care for multisystemic problems in hypermobility related complex connective tissue disorders. Dr. Mittal is passionate about the advancement of innovative clinical practices in chronic musculoskeletal joint pains with use of image guided (Ultrasound/X-Ray) injections. 

The Connective Tissue Disorder Rehabilitation Clinic at Foothills Medical Centre

Dr. Ranita Manocha, MD, MSc is a Clinical Associate Professor in the Division of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation (PM&R) Cumming School of Medicine and an Adjunct Associate Professor in the Faculty of Kinesiology at the University of Calgary. She received her BA in Cross-Disciplinary Studies at Western University, her MD at the University of British Columbia, and completed specialty training in PM&R and the Clinician Investigator Program with an MSc in Medical Biophysics at Western University. Dr. Manocha started the Connective Tissue Disorders Rehabilitation Clinic in 2019 at Foothills Medical Centre. She also runs the Better Mobility Lab, where her research team collaborates with patient partners to investigate hypermobile conditions, braces, walking aids, and ableism.

Causes and Consequences of Joint Hypermobility: Will improved understanding lead to new 
interventions?

David A. Hart, PhD, FCAHS, is a Professor in the Department of Surgery, Faculty of Kinesiology, and a Member of the McCaig Institute for Bone and Joint Health at the University of Calgary. He has a longstanding research interest in the growth, response to injury and degeneration of connective tissues of joints, with particular focus on sex differences in their regulation. Dr. Hart has published >500 articles in these and related areas over an extended career at the University of Calgary.

hEDS and POTS: Updates from the Calgary Autonomic Research Lab

Dr. Kate Bourne, PhD is a medical student in the Leaders in Medicine program at the University of Calgary. Kate recently completed her PhD in Dr. Satish Raj's Lab where her research focused on the impacts of POTS on patients as well as non-pharmacological treatment options including compression garments. During her graduate work Kate held a CIHR Vanier Scholar Award. Before moving to Calgary, Dr. Bourne completed a Bachelor of Science at the University of Victoria (Canada).

Impacts of Hormonal Changes During the Menstrual Cycle on Knee Joint in HSD and hEDS: Preliminary Findings

Donald Golden, BHPE, CAT(C) is pursuing an MSc in Medical Science (Specialization: Joint Injury and Arthritis) at the University of Calgary under the supervision of Dr. Ranita Manocha and Dr. David Hart. Donald's MSc thesis project is investigating the impacts of the menstrual cycle on the knees of women with joint hypermobility. His undergraduate research focused on the mechanisms of muscular weakness in Hypermobility Spectrum Disorders and hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome. Donald is also a Certified Athletic Therapist, and his research interests include how physiology and biomechanics influence joint function and quality of life, especially following injury and in chronic or hereditary conditions.

Exploring Cognitive Performance in HSD and hEDS

Abby Oldford, BKin is a Research Assistant with the Better Mobility Lab at the University of Calgary working on a variety of joint hypermobility projects. She completed her undergraduate degree in Kinesiology at the University of Calgary and completed an Honour’s thesis exploring neuropsychological performance in individuals living with symptomatic joint hypermobility conditions.

Wiggle Breaks

Sidd Parmar is a 3rd-year undergraduate student pursuing a BSc in Kinesiology with a minor in Psychology. Sidd currently works as a practicum student with the Better Mobility Lab working on the Hope for Hypermobility event. He is also involved in research at Alberta Children’s Hospital, working towards better understanding rheumatic diseases as well as looking at outcomes in kidney transplant patients with ANCA vasculitis.

Hypermobility Panel - Patient 

Jadyn Smith is completing her final year of her Bachelor of Education at the University of Calgary, and holds a Bachelor of Child Studies with a major in Child and Youth Care Counselling. Jadyn worked to support students with complex medical needs inside the classroom. She is currently engaged in research around Ehlers Danlos and hypermobility as a knowledge user.

Hypermobility Panel - Physiotherapist 

Mercedes Eustergerling is a professional with a rich background in healthcare, education, and physiotherapy. Known for a hands-on, empathetic approach, she has worked closely with hypermobile individuals to improve their quality of life. Mercedes is now working in a non-clinical capacity and continues to support co-operative approaches that empower both individuals and providers.