Can Bracelayer’s compression leggings be used for EDS pain management?

What is Ehler’s Danlos Syndrome (EDS)

Ehler’s Danlos Syndrome (EDS) is a hereditary condition that affects the body’s connective tissues. At present, it has no known cures, and treatment for it is usually symptomatic. There are multiple subtypes, the most common being hypermobile Ehler’s Danlos Syndrome (HEDS). Most people with EDS experience some degree of joint hypermobility, which can lead to frequent dislocations, strains, and severe chronic pain. Some symptomatic treatments include physical therapy, medication for pain and inflammation, and strength training.

Can you use compression garments for Ehlers Danlos Syndrome pain management?

A recent study (2023) published in Healthcare looked at the use of compression garments for EDS patients alongside other treatments, such as physical therapy, that are often found “insufficient” for symptom management. The discoveries were very promising! 

Compression garments have been presumed to be helpful for EDS symptom management, because they have been shown to improve proprioception, which may help with minimizing the amount that joints are displaced, and therefore with the amount of pain. It’s also thought that compression garments may help block nociceptive signals and “reduce the input of pain sensations.” An earlier study (2022) had EDS patients use compressive jackets over a four-week term. Results showed “fewer partial dislocations and dislocations with the CGs [(compression garments)]. Originally, no reduction in pain was reported, though pain ratings dropped. The more recent study by Karelle Benistan and team aimed to test and expand on these findings.

Their research actually started in 2010, when “the French National Health Authority decided to reimburse the cost of prescription CGs for patients with EDS.” At the time, the companies supplying the garments were required to set up studies with the proper health authorities to confirm the effectiveness of their products. Researchers conducted their study over two years, looking mostly at reduction of pain and number of sprains and dislocations.

Participants demonstrated up to 25% less pain with consistent use of compression garments. Their findings also suggest that compression garments can help reduce “pain attacks,” and that these reductions in pain are long-lasting. It does seem like compression gear can help reduce frequency of dislocations and sprains, which are a major factor in overall pain and quality of life in those with EDS, but further research is needed. Overall, researchers deduce that compression gear would be best used as a complement to other symptomatic treatments such as pain medication, physical therapy, and strength training. 

Can Bracelayer help with Ehler’s Danlos Syndrome?

We often get asked if our products are suitable for folks with various types of EDS. The short answer is yes — Bracelayer’s compression pants can certainly be helpful for improving proprioception and reducing joint pain in EDS patients! In fact, we recently had research done into the effectiveness of our compression pants on performance, proprioception, and pain management. You can read more about the improvements researchers saw in those areas in the official report, accessed through a recent blog post.

There is another benefit we believe that Bracelayer could provide to the EDS community, particularly those who struggle with knee pain, and that’s a discreet option for supportive compression. Our pants aren’t just great for sports or working out! They can also be very beneficial for everyday use. The designs are subtle, and really just look like any other compression gear while delivering great targeted knee support. 

We also recently got some great feedback from personal trainer Sarah Sieczkarski. She uses our compression leggings for EDS, and posts about living and training the condition online. You can view her video testimonial below:

With that being said, we at team Bracelayer are not doctors. Currently, peer-reviewed research points towards compression garments being very helpful for EDS pain management and keeping joints in place, but we encourage you to do your own research. We don’t want to diagnose or prescribe anything for anyone. If you’re unsure if our products are right for you, we highly recommend consulting your doctor or physical therapist for advice. 

And if you are a person with Ehler’s Danlos Syndrome who has tried our products and found them helpful for managing your symptoms and pain, please write to us! We would love to hear from you. You can email your story to social@bracelayer.com. You may help many other people with EDS find some relief. 

Ehler’s Danlos Syndrome is only beginning to get in-depth studies to help its patients achieve optimal quality of life. We're optimistic for the future of such studies, and to learn more about how compression gear can help people enjoy their lives to the fullest, with minimal amounts of pain.

References

Benistan, Karelle, Bénédicte Pontie, Catherine Leblond, Ophélie Flageul,Gwenvael Le Guicher, Michel Enjalbert, Fabrice Gillas. 2023. “The Effectiveness of Compression Garments for Reducing Pain in Non-Vascular Ehlers-Danlos Syndromes: A Prospective Observational Cohort Study.” Healthcare 11 (June 26):1862. doi.org/10.3390/healthcare11131862

Chaléat-Valayer, Emmanuelle, Angélique Denis, Amélie Zelmar, Anne Pujol, Amandine Bernadou, Rachel Bard-Pondarré, Sandrine Touzet. 2022. “VETCOSED Study: Efficacy of Compressive Garments for Patients with Hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome on Shoulder Stability and Muscles Strength.” Disabil. Rehabil. 44 (June): 3165-3172. DOI: 10.1080/09638288.2020.1860142.

Geneau, Mary Claire, Luke Spagnuolo. Dan Geneau, Marc Klimstra. 2025. The effect of a knee sleeve and compression garment on dynamic performance and knee pain in Masters athletes with a history of knee pathology. Canadian Sport Institute - Pacific.

Higo, Anna, Shea Palmer, Behnam Liaghat, Jason Tallis, Lucy Silvester, Gemma Pearce. 2024. “The Effectiveness of Conservative Interventions on Pain, Function, and Quality of Life in Adults with Hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome/Hypermobility Spectrum Disorders and Shoulder Symptoms: A Systematic Review.” Archives of Rehabilitation Research and Clinical Translation 6 (August). doi:10.1016/j.arrct.2024.100360