Dr. Susie "Squats" Spirlock: Treating Hypermobile Athletes, EDS, & Virtual Training: Expert Advice

In this energizing and knowledge-packed episode of the True Sports Physical Therapy Podcast, we’re joined by Dr. Susie Spirlock, better known as Dr. Susie Squats, to dive deep into the world of hypermobility, Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS), and building a virtual practice that actually works. Dr. Susie shares her personal journey with hypermobile EDS and how that experience has shaped the way she coaches, rehabs, and educates clients from all over the world. Whether you’re a clinician, an athlete, or someone living with hypermobility, this conversation is a must-listen.

Dr. Susie breaks down what most practitioners overlook when treating hypermobile athletes: How stretching can do more harm than good, why isometrics and load progression are game changers, and the importance of understanding the autonomic nervous system in cases like POTS. She provides actionable examples of how to modify strength and plyometric training for these clients, all while maintaining performance and promoting resilience. Her insights on load management, neuromuscular control, and tissue sensitivity offer immediate takeaways for any physical therapist or coach.

But the episode goes far beyond clinical pearls. Dr. Susie opens up about leaving a soul-sucking outpatient clinic job to build her now thriving fully remote rehab and performance business, Move Your Bones. She discusses how she scaled her online offerings, the systems she uses, and how her team of PTs now supports hundreds of athletes, all remotely. It’s an inspiring and transparent look at what’s possible when you combine social media, evidence-based care, and relentless commitment to impact.

If you’ve ever wondered how to deliver better outcomes for hypermobile clients or how to build a meaningful and scalable online practice as a PT, this episode delivers. Dr. Susie’s approach is empathetic, empowering, and practical, and she doesn’t hold back. Hit play to learn how to rethink hypermobility treatment, embrace virtual coaching, and lead with authenticity.

Resources:

Free 4-Week Beginner Strength Training Program: https://moveyourbones.myflodesk.com/4-week-beginner-guide 

Free Using Intensity Based Training For Training With Pain: https://moveyourbones.myflodesk.com/intensity-based-training

Susie’s Website: https://www.moveyourbonespt.com/

Beighton Score: https://www.ehlers-danlos.com/assessing-joint-hypermobility/

Hospital Del Mar Criteria: https://www.physio-pedia.com/Hospital_Del_Mar_Criteria

Diagnostic Criteria for Hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (hEDS): https://www.ehlers-danlos.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/hEDS-Dx-Criteria-checklist-1.pdf 

Defining the Clinical Complexity of hEDS and HSD: A Global Survey of Diagnostic Challenge, Comorbidities, and Unmet Needs: https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1101/2025.06.05.25329074v1.full.pdf

In-person ACL course:

🗓️ Want to attend the ACL course in person? Join us on August 30 - 31 for an in-person, hands-on masterclass that’ll transform how you treat ACL injuries from start to finish: https://education.truesportsphysicaltherapy.com/true-sports-university-acl-masterclass-in-person-course

#DrSusieSquats #Hypermobility #EDS #EhlersDanlosSyndrome #VirtualPT #OnlineRehab #MoveYourBones #POTS #SportsPerformance #RemoteCoaching #StrengthTraining #PTEntrepreneur #IsometricTraining #PhysicalTherapy #HypermobileAthletes #TrueSportsPT #PTPodcast #LoadManagement #NeuroTraining #WomenInPT