Hypermobility
Do you need help understanding and managing it?
When people use the phrase double jointed it doesn’t mean having an extra set of joints. Generally, it means that, their joints are more mobile than average and this can in some people, cause pain, postural problems, recurrent sprains / dislocations and difficulty controlling movement.
I am able to offer advice and increased understanding regarding managing hypermobility.
I can help you make hypermobility part of your unique healthy movement.
Over many years of clinical practice and through building close links with local podiatrists and specialist consultants, I have helped many adults and children, infact whole families, with symptomatic hypermobility and hypermobile EDS( Ehlers-Danlos syndrome)
I will tailor and carefully progress exercises and help you pace activity. Together we can explore ways of calming the nervous system which will help with the often varying nature of symptoms.
This holistic approach can help reduce pain, increase strength and stability bringing ease and enhanced quality of life.
We often see people who are hypermobile in the dance and gymnastics world, as well as in many yoga studios as they tend to find it easier to achieve the moves and create the shapes required. Not all people with hypermobility have symptoms but some certainly do.
Joint hypermobility is the ability of a joint to move passively or actively beyond what is considered normal taking into consideration age, sex and ethnicity*
*(Beighton et al 1998)
Hypermobility can be genetically inherited. The genes coding for collagen, elastin and fibrillin are important in influencing joint hypermobility.
Joint hypeermobility is often under diagnosed but it’s easy to spot if you look for it. Generalised joint hypermobility is measured using a variety of tools. The most common is The Beighton scoring system.
The Beighton scoring system is a popular way of classifying hypermobility.
This scoring system does have an upper limb bias but it’s a good general guide and I feel it’s best used alongside careful clinical subjective and objective evaluation.