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Patty Stott PT, DPT, MS, ATC, CHT, CYT

HSD/EDS, MCAS, and POTS Consultations and Treatments
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Tom Stott MS, PTA, CPT

Endurance Athlete Functional Medicine Consultations and HSD/EDS and Endurance Athlete Treatments

I received my BS/MS in Physical Therapy from Russell Sage College in Troy, NY while also achieving my Athletic Training Certification. After graduating, I was hired by a busy orthopedic office in the Washington, DC Metro area. There I worked closely with orthopedic surgeons and saw a variety of patients and orthopedic conditions, though I focused primarily on sports medicine and athletic rehabilitation in the pediatric and adult population. I worked as the athletic trainer for a high level Gymnastics gym for 10 years managing their chronic and acute injuries. I also worked on-field with many other sports teams over the years dealing with minimal to catastrophic injury management. 

 

During my 14 years in DC, I returned to school and received my transitional Doctorate in Physical Therapy from Shenandoah University. I also completed a specialized program for the Hand and Upper Extremity through Drexel University and passed my board certification to become a hand therapist.

 

Meanwhile, I continued to grow my interest in chronic illness and disease.

 

In 2017, my family relocated to the Denver Metro area, where I not only continued to work in all of my previous areas of focus, but also embarked on a mission to support those with chronic illness, especially Ehlers-Danlos Syndromes and autoimmune disorders. During this time I also worked in the early intervention pediatrics field. 

 

In my physical therapy profession, I’m a certified Graston practitioner and level 2 functional dry needler, trained in visceral manipulation (VM1, VM2, VM3, VM4, LT1), visceral vascular manipulation (upper body), neural manipulation (NM1, NM2, NM3, NM4), and the Vagus Nerve and Autonomic Nervous System (VNANS) through the Barral Institute, trained in Craniosacral Therapy (CS1, CS2) through the Upledger Institute, and I’m proficient in athletic, kinesio, and McConnell taping. I have a plant based nutrition certificate through Cornell and have studied through a functional medicine program for physical therapists associated with the IFM. I have completed a number of meditation and mindfulness related certificates through the University of Colorado, Colorado Springs. My current continuation in education is through rehab techniques in autonomic dysfunction, central and peripheral vestibular and neurological disorders, post concussive symptoms and rehabilitation, upper cervical rehabilitation and proprioceptive strategies, and oculomotor retraining. I am currently enrolled in a PhD program for integrative medicine. 

I have co-authored the following perspective articles regarding HSD/EDS for physical therapists and medical professionals in research journals (click on the links for the articles): 

Recognizing and Effectively Managing Hypermobility-Related Conditions

- Presentation and physical therapy management of upper cervical instability in patients with symptomatic generalized joint hypermobility: International expert consensus recommendations

I am in current collaboration to coauthor a two volume educational book series on rehabilitation strategies in those with HSD/EDS. The first volume should be released in the first few weeks of 2024. Click here for more information. Click here for the Amazon listing. 

Currently, I have been spending a good deal of time putting together education on Ehlers-Danlos Syndromes for medical professionals through continuing education courses and platforms. These are slowly being set up and released including a 10 course series this year for MedBridge. Current content includes:

I help in hosting some modules for the North American EDS ECHO group for Allied Health Professionals and have (and do) participate in a number of other EDS ECHO groups as well. I am a member of the EDS International Consortium. I participate in virtual national groups looking to expand and understand diagnosis and treatment of upper cervical instability in the HSD/EDS population. I am a member of a few small groups currently working on research developing non-surgical treatment strategies for patients with spinal cord tethering, CSF leaks, and celiac complex compression syndrome (MALS).

 

Passions and Inspirations

 

Like most with a chronic illness, I have a long and frustrating medical history, including a lengthy list of doctors who shrugged off my symptoms when they didn’t have a way to explain them.

 

I have hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome, Mast Cell Activation Syndrome, and an autonomic dysfunction - postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS). I have also been given a rap sheet of autoimmune disorders and diagnoses.

 

I’ve spent my professional career learning all I can from published research, along with personal experimentation and talking with other HSD/EDS focused practitioners. I thoroughly enjoy working with those with the same or similar conditions, helping them find what works for them as individuals with unique presentations. 

 

Additionally, I work with people dealing with chronic systemic inflammation who are looking to change their lives, reduce medication, and return to good health using a more natural approach. My current passion lies in exploring detoxification strategies in those with connective tissue disorders to reduce the systemic inflammation that may drive failing health. Specifically, I commonly treat the trifecta of EDS/MCAS/POTS with underlying tick borne illnesses, mold exposure, environmental toxins, and/or chronic viral infections. 

 

As a lifelong athlete, I also enjoy helping other athletes looking to improve their fitness level or break through barriers and plateaus, whether they’re recreational athletes or more serious athletes looking to naturally optimize their potential.

 

I remain active with running, tae kwon do, swimming, and yoga. When I have time (my active family includes two small children, three cats, and a dog), I’ll sneak in some cycling, archery, or rock climbing. I also enjoy drawing, painting, doing puzzles, and just listening to the sounds of nature.

Credentials and Certifications

  • Licensed Physical Therapist in the State of Colorado

  • Current enrollment in PhD Integrative Medicine Program at Quantum University

  • Herbalism Studies Certification through FIHM

  • Certified Hand Therapist

  • Certified Athletic Trainer

  • Certified Yoga Teacher

  • Fascial Counterstrain: Intro, Lymphatic/Venous

  • Visceral Manipulation VM1, VM2, VM3v + L, VM4v + L, VNANS, VVMU, LT1 through the Barral Institute

  • Neural Manipulation NM1, NM2, NM3, NM4 through the Barral Institute

  • Craniosacral Therapy CS1, CS2 through the Upledger Institute

  • HeartMath Certified Practitioner

  • Reiki Master

  • Vestibular Rehabilitation Certificate (MedBridge)

  • Certificate in Energy Medicine; University of Colorado, Colorado Springs

  • Certificate in Meditation; University of Colorado, Colorado Springs

  • Certificate in Mindfulness; University of Colorado Colorado Springs

  • Certificate in Stress Management from University of Colorado Colorado Springs

  • Functional Dry Needling Level II Certified; Kinetacore

  • Graston Level II Certified

  • Functional Medicine Training through Functional Medicine Fast Track for Physical Therapists

  • Certificate in Plant Based Nutrition Studies; eCornell

  • USATF Certified Level I Track and Field Coach

  • RRCA Certified Running Coach

  • RRCA Certified Race Director

I grew up around the Washington, DC Metro area and started my undergraduate work at the University of Maryland - College Park. While in school, I began working at a nearby sports orthopedic clinic, and this is where my passion for Health & Wellness blossomed. Working for some talented orthopedic surgeons and alongside many compassionate clinicians, my appetite for understanding the "why" behind athletic injuries grew. I practiced as a Physical Therapy Assistant for nearly 10 years and found a special niche working in the endurance sports community. Countless hours of research and hands-on implementation resulted in many great successes in terms of patient recovery, but there always seemed to be a missing component to the larger equation of health. 

 

Growing up, I played just about every sport.  In high school, however, I excelled at long-distance running. The outward success and inner peace that the sport brought me was unlike anything I had experienced. This fostered a love for the sport of running, which I continue to hold on to this day. It did not come without a price, though, and I have been equally as much a guinea pig for my treatment approaches as a provider. There is no replacement for personal experience with an injury mechanism, and my patients/clients will certainly attest to that!

 

My best ally in healing, however, has always been my wife, Patty. With a number of autoimmune disorders and genetic traits that would seem otherwise hampering, Patty has demonstrated the attitude and mindset of a warrior. Armed with a similar desire for answers, Patty and I have been on a quest to find better alternatives to traditional Western medicine. This directed us to Functional Medicine.

 

The bridging of my holistic approach to Health & Wellness combines my medical background, a Master’s degree in Exercise Physiology, and numerous certifications in the fitness industry. I also have embarked on a quest to become a Reiki Master; what started out as a self-care practice has shifted into something I want to share with people. If you come across my path, you’ll see an enthusiasm for health stricken across my face like that of a toddler on Christmas morning. With that said, if you happen to ask me something about running, be prepared, as my answer will likely take you down a rabbit hole of other questions and answers. I’ll help you find your way though ;)

Credentials and Certifications

  • Licensed Physical Therapist Assistant in the State of Colorado

  • Certified Personal Trainer through the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA)

  • Functional Medicine Training through Functional Medicine Fast Track 

  • Reiki Level I Certification

  • Graston Certified Practitioner

  • Selective Functional Movement Assessment (SFMA) through Functional Movement Systems (FMS)

  • Distance Runner's Coach through Road Runner's Club of America (RRCA)

  • Track and Field Coach through USATF

  • Olympic Weightlifting Coach through Totten Training Systems

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