What’s In My EDS Toolkit?
Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome can affect just about every part of daily life. Joint instability, pain, fatigue, and other symptoms can turn otherwise ordinary tasks into something that takes extra thought, support, or energy. My EDS toolkit helps with some of those day-to-day challenges, with a mix of mobility and joint supports, adaptive tools, medical supplies, and plenty of everyday products that make certain tasks easier.
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The information in this blog post is provided for educational and informational purposes only and should not be construed as medical advice. The content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking it because of something you have read online. The author of this post is not a licensed medical professional and does not assume any liability for any actions taken based on the information contained in this post.
Table of Contents
One quick note: I was diagnosed with EDS as a blanket clinical diagnosis. While it’s thought to be hypermobile EDS (hEDS), I haven’t been formally diagnosed with that subtype.
Mobility & Joint Support
Joint instability is one of the more obvious ways EDS affects my daily life. Mobility aids give me extra support when I’m standing or moving around, while braces, splints, and similar tools help protect individual joints during everyday activities.
Cane
I use a cane a lot of the time, but it’s especially helpful when I know I’ll be standing for a while. Pharmacy lines are the worst! I also make a point of using it when I’ll be on my own, when a fall or another issue would otherwise leave me without someone there to help.
My peacock cane is probably the one you’ll recognize from my content, but I also have a foldable cane I keep in the car—it’s super handy and easy to bring along!
Compression Socks
Compression socks help with blood flow, of course, but they also have the added benefit of helping with my perpetually freezing toes. My neurologist thinks that the cold feet may be related to migraine—with so many comorbid conditions in the mix, there’s inevitably some overlap in my EDS toolkit! My favorites are from Wellow and Vim & Vigr.
Compression Gloves
For my hands, compression gloves are a simple option for easing some of the pain. They’re particularly useful because they don’t restrict my hands quite as much as a more substantial support or brace might. My go-tos are from Grace & Able—I love that they offer so many fun colors!
Finger Splints
Finger splints give me more targeted support when a specific joint is painful or I’m doing something that tends to make my finger joints overextend, like writing or filing my nails. I’ve accumulated a collection of ring splints from Zebra Splints.
SI Belt
My SI belt is one of the most situational finds in my EDS toolkit. I use it almost exclusively when I’m actively dealing with hip pain, whether that’s general pain or following a subluxation. It gives me another option for support during those times without being something I need on a regular basis.
Crocs Sandals
I swore I’d never become a Crocs person, but I received a pair of Crocs sandals as a gift and they’ve been wonderful for my foot and leg pain. As an added bonus, they don’t immediately scream “Crocs!” when you look at them.
Resistance Loop
My resistance loop is one of the newer additions to my EDS toolkit, so I’m still testing out where they’ll be most useful. Right now, I’m experimenting with it for a little extra joint stability both while working out and while resting. For example, I’ve been looping one around my thighs when I want to give my legs a break.
KT Tape
I recently picked up some generic KT tape to add to my EDS toolkit! I haven’t had much of a chance to experiment with it yet but I’m excited to see where and when it’s most useful for me.
Pain Relief
Chronic pain doesn’t always respond to the same therapies, so I try to keep several options in my EDS toolkit. Heat, massage, topical products, and other forms of relief each have their place depending on what I’m dealing with.
TENS Unit
I forget my TENS unit exists far more often than I should, because it’s actually super helpful for certain types of pain…when I remember to use it. It’s definitely one of those options I need to get better about remembering when I’m hurting.
Heating Pad
My heating pad is the most intense of my various heat therapy options. When I need more concentrated heat, this does the trick!
Hot Water Bottle
My hot water bottle gives me another way to use heat for pain relief, just with a little more of a comfort factor thanks to a furry sleeve. It’s not quite as strong, but sometimes that’s exactly what I want.
Microwaveable Plush
Microwaveable plushies offer a similar combination of heat therapy and comfort! A stuffed animal like my beloved highland cow adds extra comfort that a heating pad alone can’t really offer. Thank you to Mary Sun for gifting me this microwaveable plush!
Massage Gun
A massage gun makes self-massage much easier, especially when I want to target a particular sore or painful area. The different attachments give me a few options depending on where I’m using it and what feels best.
Lidocaine Patches
Lidocaine patches help a bit with pain, but they aren’t my first choice. Researchers have found that those of us with EDS can experience reduced effectiveness of the anesthetic, but they’re a great option if it does work for you!
Tiger Balm
Tiger Balm is one of my stronger topical options in my EDS toolkit. The menthol feels a bit sharper and more intense than something like Absorbine Jr., which can be exactly what I’m looking for at times. Tiger Balm comes in both the original red ointment and a clear version!
Absorbine Jr.
On the other hand, Absorbine Jr. is strong enough that I can actually notice a difference without feeling quite as intense as Tiger Balm. Having both gives me the option to choose between the two depending on how much relief I actually need.
Topical Magnesium
I currently have two forms of topical magnesium in my EDS toolkit: a magnesium spray and Migrastil’s magnesium cream with lavender. The spray is one of the better sources of relief I’ve found, but I also tend to get some skin irritation from it, so it tends to be a bit of a toss-up. The Migrastil cream is much gentler on my skin and especially calming at bedtime.
Epsom Salts
Epsom salts add a little extra pain relief to bath time! They’re such an easy addition when I’m already taking my weekly everything bath and want to get a little more out of it.
CBD
CBD is one of the pricier items in my EDS toolkit but it helps me a lot! My go-to is Wink CBD products.
Gel Ice Cap
I picked up a gel ice cap for migraine attacks, but I also use it for occipital pain more generally.
Acupressure Mat
I haven’t really explored my acupressure mat as much as I’d like to yet, but I’m so intrigued by its potential! This is one I’ll be experimenting with more before I have a ton of tips.
Foot Massager
My foot massager offers some much-appreciated relief, especially when my feet are cold! Since freezing toes are an ongoing issue for me, having something that combines massage with a little relief for that particular problem is especially helpful.
Knee Massager
My knee massager combines heat with targeted massage, making it an easy way to focus specifically on knee pain rather than trying to position a more general massage tool just right.
Shoulder Massager
Similarly, my shoulder massager combines heat and massage in a design that’s actually meant to target that area. It’s another awesome option when I want more focused relief rather than a general-purpose massage tool.
Neck Stretcher
My neck stretcher helps with both migraine and cervical pain, but this is definitely one product I’d approach carefully rather than recommending indiscriminately. If you have existing neck or cervical spine issues, check with your healthcare provider before trying cervical traction to make sure it’s appropriate for you.
Kitchen & Meal Prep
So many everyday kitchen tasks rely on grip strength, repetitive movements, or standing for longer stretches. Between joint problems and fatigue, I’ve had to find plenty of ways to make cooking and meal prep more accessible.
Lightweight Dishes
When heavier dishes are uncomfortable to handle, I’ll often reach for plastic dishware instead. Corelle dishes are a lightweight “fancier” version that’s also notoriously hard to break, which is especially helpful when grip strength or tremors are an issue.
Jar Opener
A jar opener gives me some extra help getting into stubborn jaws without relying on my non-existent grip strength (or non-existent boyfriend). It’s a super simple adaptive tool but such a useful one when my hands just aren’t up to fighting with a lid.
Electric Can Opener
An electric can opener saves me from having to twist a manual can opener into oblivion! Instead, my electric one does the work for me, taking one more repetitive hand movement out of meal prep.
Tab Buddy
For cans with pull tabs, I keep a Tab Buddy in my EDS toolkit. It works with drink cans, cat food cans (hi from Fitz!), soup cans, and plenty of other pull-tab containers so they’re easier to open without having to pry the tab up with my fingers (and probably subluxate them in the process). They’re also great if you have long nails!
Silicone Jar Grips
Silicone grips are another quick option for stubborn jars and bottles. The simple rubbery pad adds some extra grip without requiring a full separate gadget, so they’re useful for list that need just a little bit of extra help.
Bagel Slicer
My bagel guillotine ensures that I actually slice my morning bagel, not my hand! It holds the bagel in place while the blade cuts through it, giving me a safer option than trying to hold everything steady myself. It does take a bit of elbow grease to get the blade through at times but it’s worth it to not lose a finger in the name of bagels.
Small Food Slicer
For smaller foods, I have a little fruit slicer that’s great for quickly and safely chopping things like strawberries. It’s yet another great way to cut down on the amount of manual knife work involved in food prep.
Knife-Resistant Gloves
When I do have to manually cut or chop something, knife-resistant gloves are critical. They give my hands a layer of protection when I’m working with a knife, which is desperate needed why hand and joint issues can make cutting difficult or even dangerous.
Meal Prep Containers
Meal prep containers let me take advantage of good days by making food in advance, so there’s always something accessible, even on bad days. Having a full meal prep or just a few portions ready to grab makes feeding myself much easier when I have fewer spoons to work with.
Blog post: What is the spoon theory, anyway?
Air Fryer
An air fryer is perfect for low-spoon meals! I can make plenty of foods without having to stand at the stove and actively cook them, which makes it a particularly useful option on days when I don’t have much energy to spare.
Electric Kettle
An electric kettle simplifies everything from morning coffee to bedtime tea. Rather than heating water on the stove, I can fill the kettle, turn it on, and let it handle the rest.
Pre-Cut Produce
Pre-cut produce is one of those things that’s often dismissed as a “lazy” option but, like many items given that label, it’s also an incredibly accessible one. Cutting, peeling, and chopping all require energy and can be difficult when you’re dealing with pain, fatigue, grip strength, or joint instability. Paying a little more for produce that’s already been prepared—when you have the financial privilege to do so—can remove an entire step between having ingredients and actually being able to eat them.
Grocery Pickup
Grocery pickup does something similar on an even larger scale. If walking around the store, finding everything I need, and getting through checkout is too much, I can have the shopping done for me with programs like Walmart+ and just stop by to pick everything up.
Meal Delivery Services
Meal delivery services can take even more work out of the process. I’ve used HelloFresh in the past, and services like this can simplify some of the planning and shopping involved in making meals at home. They’re pricier than many of the other options in my EDS toolkit, though, so they’re not necessarily an everyday accommodation.
Bathroom & Personal Care
Symptoms like pain, fatigue, and joint instability add extra challenges to personal care, too. A few relatively simple products in my EDS toolkit make my routines safer, more comfortable, and easier on my body.
Shower Chair
A shower chair helps me conserve some energy while showering while also reducing the risk of getting hurt if fatigue, pain, or instability becomes an in issue in the middle of washing up. It’s a simple accommodation, and one I resisted for a long time, but one that makes showering safer and a little less physically demanding.
Bath Mat
Similarly, a bath mat adds some extra comfort and security in the shower without requiring any extra effort on my part. Slippery surfaces and unstable joints aren’t exactly a match made in heaven, so anything that reduces the risk of a fall is worthwhile in my book!
Bracelet Helper
A bracelet helper can make fastening bracelets a little easier when hand and finger joints aren’t cooperating. It holds one end of the bracelet in place so I don’t have to simultaneously hold it and try to work the clasp with one hand (because the clasp is enough of a challenge!). Thank you to Mission Gallery for gifting me my bracelet helper!
Jelly Bra
Conventional bras can be painful with EDS and chronic pain, and my jelly bra is the most comfortable option I’ve found by far! The softer, more flexible design works much better for me when structured bras aren’t comfortable. Thank you to Comfbay for gifting me my jelly bra!
Fatigue & Energy Conservation
Energy is a limited resources, so I do what I can to save it on everyday tasks where possible. Keeping necessities nearby, avoiding unnecessary movement, and automating simple tasks can all help, and the savings add up!
Rolling Cart
A rolling cart is an easy way to keep necessities from my EDS toolkit handy, whether that’s books, tea, or chronic illness-specific supplies. Rather than carrying everything back and forth or repeatedly getting up for individual items, I can keep what I need together and move the whole cart when necessary.
Grabber Tools
I’ve taken to keeping grabber tools in multiple rooms, which makes it easier to reach things that are either high up or on the ground. Besides saving some energy, they help me avoid movements that could cause problems with my joints, like overextending my shoulders to reach something.
Automatic Pet Feeder
An automatic pet feeder is helpful for both brain fog and bad pain days. I don’t have to rely entirely on remembering each feeding or being physically up to it at exactly the right time while still making sure the fur babies get their meals on schedule. I have my eye on one of these brilliant wet food feeders!
Voice Assistant and Smart Plugs
I swear by a voice assistant (I use an Echo Show with Alexa) for simple tasks like turning lights on and off without having to get up. Adding smart plugs expands those options to other devices and lets me use things like automatic timers, too.
Kindle Paperwhite
My Kindle Paperwhite is easier for me to hold than a physical book, especially with a page turner and grip so I don’t have to keep adjusting my position to turn the page. The screen is also easier on my eyes than a typical phone or tablet screen, which is a big bonus when migraine attacks make regular screens difficult.
Kitchen & Meal Prep
A lot of the products under Kitchen & Meal Prep also double as energy-conservation tools! My air fryer and electric kettle reduce the amount of hands-on cooking involved, while meal-prep containers, pre-cut produce, grocery pickup, and similar options can make food and groceries more manageable on low-spoon days.
Sleep & Recovery
Getting comfortable enough to sleep isn’t always easy with pain and unstable joints. Come bedtime, my EDS toolkit has to account for things like temperature, light, and noise that might otherwise keep me awake—and steal precious spoons in the process.
Knee Pillow
A knee pillow helps with alignment while I sleep and can ease some of my persistent hip and knee pain. It’s a simple way to add a little extra support without having to carefully arrange a pile of regular pillows.
Cooling Blanket
Temperature regulation can make sleep tricky, so a cooling blanket helps keep me from getting too warm overnight while still having the comfort of sleeping under a blanket.
Satin Pillowcases
Satin pillowcases aren’t necessarily an obvious EDS product, but they help reduce how tangled my hair gets while I sleep. Dealing with knots can feel nearly impossible when my arms are already hurting, so preventing some of them in the first place makes things easier.
Eye Mask
An eye mask blocks out extra light and gives me one less thing that might interfere with sleep. I have a few different kinds, depending on what feels comfortable.
Eye Massager
My heated eye massager is useful for both pain relief and relaxation. It’s especially nice if I want something soothing before bed without needing to actively do much.
Earplugs
Earplugs reduce the amount of noise competing with sleep. Sometimes eliminating one more potential distraction is enough to make falling or staying asleep a little easier. I have a few pairs of Loops, and CURVD kindly gifted me a pair of theirs!
Sleep Headphones
When I’d rather have sound than silence, sleep headphones let me listen to things like rain sounds or a guided meditation without trying to sleep in regular headphones.
Squishmallows
Squishmallows are genuinely the most pain-free “pillow” I’ve found. I sleep holding one every night, which helps reduce shoulder pain and subluxations by giving my upper body some extra support. I hope I’ll get the chance to try their new pillows eventually!
Pregnancy Pillow
I don’t currently have a pregnancy pillow, but I’ve used and loved one in the past. The wraparound shape provides support for multiple parts of the body at once, which can be particularly helpful when I’m trying to get everything reasonably comfortable and supported for sleep.
Temperature Regulation
Temperature regulation is particularly relevant for me with comorbid dysautonomia and migraine. Overheating, in particular, is a significant issue, so most of my focus is on staying cool and staying hydrated.
Electrolytes
Electrolytes are useful for general hydration as well as two of my EDS comorbidities, migraine and dysautonomia. I keep a few different options around depending on what sounds good and what I need that day, but Liquid IV is my absolutely favorite, especially the cotton candy flavors!
Insulated Tumbler
An insulated tumbler or water bottle keeps my electrolytes, water, or other drinks cold for much longer. When overheating is already an issue, the last thing I want is a drink that’s gotten warm before I’ve finished it.
Portable Fan
A portable fan is a simple option for cooling down when I’m away from a regular fan or air conditioning. It’s small enough to bring along whenever I suspect heat might become an issue.
Neck Fan
A neck fan offers the same basic cooling benefit while keeping my hands free, which can be particularly handy when I’m doing chores around the house.
Cooling Patches
Cooling patches offer some quick relief from minor overheating without requiring much setup. They can also be helpful during migraine attacks!
Electrolyte Popsicles
Electrolyte pops combine extra hydration with some much-needed cooling power. They’re particularly useful when something frozen sounds more appealing than drinking another glass of electrolytes, or if I just need that extra chill.
Travel Ice Packs
I’ve used on-the-go ice packs as an emergency cooling option, too. They’re useful to have available when I need something cold and don’t have access to a freezer.
Medical Management
EDS and its comorbidities leave me with plenty of health information, medications, and other details to manage. Organization becomes even more important when brain fog makes it harder to keep track of everything.
Medical Binder
My medical binder keeps important health information together in one place and makes it relatively brain fog-proof when I need to find something. With EDS and various comorbidities in the mix, having that information organized and accessible makes it so much easier to keep track of.
Medical Snapshot
My medical snapshot is specifically designed with complex and chronic conditions like EDS in mind. It condenses the most important information onto a single half-page when I don’t need (or can’t realistically hand someone) the entire medical binder.
Pill Organizers
My pill organizers keep my medications sorted for the week. These are pretty straightforward tools, but important ones when there are multiple medications to keep track of. I use two weekly pill cases—one for morning and one for night—a case for gummy vitamins specifically and a few smaller pill cases for storing emergency meds or an extra emergency pack of my daily dose.
Medical Condition Cards
Our printable medical condition cards offer a simple way to communicate important information and needs, especially in situations where speaking may be difficult or impossible. I deal with situational mutism, for example, and I also want important information to be accessible if I have a syncopal episode and can’t communicate either myself.
Medical ID Bracelet
I bought a medical alert bracelet specifically after I was diagnosed with Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome. Mine identifies both EDS and dysautonomia, along with my allergies and blood type, so some of my most important medical information is immediately accessible.
Pocket Pharmacy
My pocket pharmacy keeps OTC and rescue medications together so I can have them with me when I need them. Mine includes things like dual-action pain relief, Zofran, Nurtec, and electrolytes, amongst other essentials.
Blood Pressure Monitor
My blood pressure monitor is primarily connected to my hypertension and dysautonomia, both of which overlap with my experience of EDS. Cardiovascular concerns can also be a part of certain types of Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome, so this is one of those tools that may have a different role in someone else’s EDS toolkit.
Apple Watch
An Apple Watch also offers a way to keep an eye on health information throughout the day. I use it to monitor things like my tachycardia and sleep, along with other health data that can be useful when I’m looking at the bigger picture.
Guava
The Guava app gives me one place to track and organize health information, which is so important when there are multiple conditions and symptoms involved. Fun fact: if you join Guava using my referral link, you can get a free emergency card!
Blog Post: The Best Apps for Spoonies
Pharmacy Refill Reminders
Automated pharmacy reminders take one more thing off my mental to-do list by letting me know when it’s time to refill medications. This might not be a tangible product in my EDS toolkit, but it’s definitely still part of the system that helps me stay on top of my symptoms.
Finch
Finch isn’t specifically an EDS app, but I use it for quite a few tasks that help me manage my health—reminders to take my medications and refill my pill organizers, do my PT exercises, or even eat regularly. These can all be surprisingly easy to lose track of when brain fog or fatigue kicks in.
Get an adorable llama micropet when you join Finch using my referral link!
Vitamin C
Vitamin C is one of the supplements my doctor specifically recommended for me, so it’s another tool in my arsenal. As with any supplement, be sure to discuss with your own healthcare provider rather than adding it to your own regimen just because it’s part of my EDS toolkit.
On the Go
I keep a small segment of my EDS toolkit with me when I’m away from home. Medications, hydration, cooling products, and important medical information cover some of the basics without needing to bring everything along.
Spoonie Bag
My spoonie bag brings a lot of the on-the-go essentials from my EDS toolkit together in one place. What’s inside can change depending on where I’m going and what I might need, but having a dedicated bag makes it easier to bring along the things that help me manage Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome and its comorbidities away from home.
Emergency Snacks
I try to keep a sugary snack on hand because low blood sugar seems to trigger my migraine attacks. It’s a small addition to my bag, but it makes sure I have something available if I need it. Right now, it’s Skittles Littles!
Foldable Cane
Alongside my everyday cane, I have a foldable cane that’s particularly convenient for taking along when I don’t necessarily need to use it the entire time. It gives me the option of having a mobility aid available without carrying the full “stick” everywhere, and packs nicely in the car.
Mini First Aid Kit
A mini first aid kit keeps basic first aid supplies available without taking up much room in my bag. It’s an easy way to be prepared for minor cuts, scrapes, and other everyday mishaps while I’m away from home.
Phone Case With Lanyard
Dropping my phone is a pretty much daily occurrence (if not multiple times a day), so a protective case is important on its own. Specifically picking a phone case with a lanyard or strap makes me less likely to drop it in the first place, while also giving me an easy way to keep my phone with me when I’m out.
Spare Phone Charger
Keeping a spare phone charger in my EDS toolkit makes sure I don’t end up with a dead phone while I’m away from home. Beyond the usual inconvenience, keeping my phone available means I still have access to communication, health apps, and the other tools I use throughout the day.
