Postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS/OI) by Jennifer Smallridge AEP & Florence Kelly
Empowering clients with complex invisible illness with movement and knowledge.
Whether as a primary referral or as an undiagnosed presentation, Postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome is increasingly relevant to the Accredited Exercise Physiologist and movement professional. More practitioners are dedicating their services to this population, and others are upskilling to recognise symptoms for appropriate onward referral. Helpfully, Florence Kelly and Jennifer Smallridge-collectively Connection Medicine - distil their POTS/OI knowledge and skills into a compact offering brimming with comprehensive foundational knowledge and clear directives for further skill development.
Expanding our awareness of the 4Ps associated with POTS/OI -predisposing, precipitating, perpetuating and protective factors- gives a framework to prompt our client to share their experience. By listening for relevant flags and to validate our client’s story, we strengthen the alliance, spark engagement and potentially inspire more confident movement participation.
Florence and Jennifer demonstrate how we can layer our skills to guide and support in an ongoing manner. Pacing- listening- adapting- prescribing- monitoring- educating- troubleshooting- compassion- self-awareness are all in the mix. The skill set is expansive and multi-dimensional. It calls on developing resilient self-awareness and regulation. POTS/OI is a rich practice space for keen learners with the willingness to keep their hearts and minds open.
Jennifer Smallridge is a senior accredited Exercise Physiologist and Clinical Educator. She has also undertaken further training in Clinical Pilates and Therapeutic Yoga, and now loves to apply these skills when working with the Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS), central sensitivity, chronic migraine, Fibromyalgia, Ehlers Danlos Syndrome (EDS), chronic pain, Dysautonomia and Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome/ Orthostatic Intolerance (POTS/OI) community. Jennifer has a lifelong love of learning and is constantly delving into the literature on these topics. She has a passion for making complex concepts simple and accessible to all. This has led her to follow career opportunities in the university sector, corporate wellbeing and the media. Currently, Jennifer works with a predominantly invisible illness caseload at Beyond in Blackburn and Hawthorn.
Florence Kelly is a senior accredited Exercise Physiologist and Yoga teacher with a strong passion in providing care for the Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS), central sensitivity, chronic migraine, Fibromyalgia, Ehlers Danlos Syndrome (EDS), chronic pain, Dysautonomia and Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome/ Orthostatic Intolerance (POTS/OI) community. She has spent the last 10 years working with this client group in the private practice sector and now owns her own practice which is 100% dedicated to clients with these chronic invisible illness. Over years of mentoring and training various health professionals, Florence has seen an immense potential in the medical and allied health community to play a significant role in the rehabilitation of clients who are often put in the “too hard basket”. She sees her role as connecting practitioners to the resources, knowledge and community which allows them to ignite a deep passion in the truly rewarding role they can play in the life of these deserving clients.
Jennifer and Florence bring their wealth of experience together with Connection Medicine https://www.connectionmedicine.co/ offering dynamic evidence-based education and mentoring to support health professionals upskill in the niche area of invisible illnesses.
The ESSA Professional Development Committee certifies that this Professional Development offering meets the criteria for 1 Continuing Professional Development (CPD) Point. Available to download or stream now.