Hypermobility

Hypermobility means that your joints can move further than most people’s. For many, this isn’t a problem and can even be helpful for things like dancing or gymnastics. But for some people, it can cause pain or injury because the muscles and ligaments around the joints have to work harder to keep things stable. This can lead to tiredness, aching, and a feeling like joints are loose or wobbly.

Having hypermobile joints doesn’t usually mean the joints are damaged. The pain often comes from how the body reacts and how sensitive it becomes. Many people manage their symptoms well with regular exercise, pacing activities, and support from a physiotherapist. In rare cases, hypermobility is linked to more complex conditions, such as hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (hEDS).

How Hypermobile Joints Can Affect You

Some people with hypermobility might have other symptoms such as:

• Ongoing joint or muscle pain (chronic pain)
• Tiredness that doesn’t go away (chronic fatigue)
• Joint instability or even dislocations
• Dizziness or fast heart rate when standing up (like in POTS)
• Digestive problems like constipation or heartburn due to hiatus hernia, reflux and chronic bowel inflammation.
• Easy bruising, thin scars, severe stretch marks or slow wound healing
• Bladder control issues due to pelvic floor muscle weakness or prolapse of the uterus or rectum.
• Eye or vision problems in rare cases, like cataracts or detached retina.
• Pain that feels worse during certain times in the menstrual cycle, possibly having heavy painful periods.
• In very severe cases, people may break bones, have heart valve problems or rupture organs.

Types of Hypermobility Syndrome

Hypermobility can be part of different conditions, including:

• Hypermobility Spectrum Disorder (HSD)
• Hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (hEDS)
• Ehlers-Danlos Syndromes (EDS) – a group of genetic conditions affecting collagen
• Marfan Syndrome – a genetic condition that affects the body’s connective tissue
• Osteogenesis Imperfecta – a condition that causes fragile bones
• Stickler Syndrome and Pseudoxanthoma Elasticum – rare conditions affecting joints and other body systems

Managing Hypermobility

Management is different for each person, depending on your symptoms. Some helpful strategies may include:

• Medication – to manage pain or anxiety
• Physiotherapy – to build strength and stability around joints
• Pacing – taking breaks and avoiding doing too much at once
• Pilates – a type of exercise that focuses on control and muscle strength
• Heat – using hot water bottles or warm baths for relief
• TENS machines – for gentle pain relief
• Relaxation techniques – to help with tension and stress
• Supports or splints – for short-term help with joint comfort (used only when needed)

You may also benefit from help managing the emotional and lifestyle effects of long-term pain, such as sleep problems or difficulties with work or hobbies.