Joint Hypermobility is when a person's joints have an unusually large range of movement. A person with hypermobile joints is usually extremely flexible and able to move their joints into positions that other people would find very difficult.
Hypermobility Syndrome can be diagnosed when a hypermobile person experiences pain in several joints for several months. Sometimes it can be difficult to reach a diagnosis, as there isn't a specific blood test or scan that can diagnose it.
Joint hypermobility is a hereditary condition that is caused by a genetically determined change to the collagen tissue. Collagen tissue makes up the supporting structures of the spine, like the ligaments and joint capsules. Collagen tissue tends to be more stretchy in people with hypermobility, making their joints more vulnerable, and at risk of sprains, dislocations, and other soft tissue injuries.
It is very important for people with hypermobility syndrome to live as active a life as they can. Despite joints being very flexible actually people with hypermobility can experience lots of muscle tension and tightness, making them feel quite stiff.
We can advise people on exercises to do, to improve the control of movement around the very flexible joints, this can reduce the risk of injuring the joint. We can also advise people on exercises to improve posture and reduce muscle tension.
Manual therapy and acupuncture can help in the short term to reduce pain in acute flare-ups so that people can start or restart exercises to manage their condition, to optimize movement control, stability and strength.
The pain from hypermobility syndrome can become very wearing and stressful, and we can advise people of relaxation and mindfulness techniques to help improve their ability to cope.
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