Hypermobility: Understanding the Condition and How Physiotherapy Can Help
Have you ever noticed that your joints seem to move further than other people’s? Perhaps you can bend your fingers backwards, place your palms flat on the floor without bending your knees, or frequently experience joint pain, clicking, or instability. These may be signs of joint hypermobility.
Hypermobility is relatively common and, in many people, does not cause significant problems. However, when excessive joint movement is associated with pain, instability, fatigue, or recurrent injuries, it may require appropriate assessment and management.
At Effective Physiotherapy and Fitness Clinic, we provide personalised physiotherapy and exercise programmes designed to help people with hypermobility improve strength, stability, movement control, and confidence in their bodies.
What Is Hypermobility?
Joint hypermobility occurs when a joint can move through a greater range of motion than is typical. Some people naturally have flexible joints without experiencing any symptoms. This is sometimes described as asymptomatic joint hypermobility.
However, some individuals experience symptoms because their joints are difficult to control within their larger range of movement. This can contribute to problems such as recurrent sprains, joint pain, muscle fatigue, and feelings of instability.
Hypermobility can affect different parts of the body, including the:
- Shoulders
- Spine
- Hips
- Knees
- Ankles
- Wrists
- Fingers
The severity and symptoms can vary considerably from one person to another.
What Causes Hypermobility?
Joint flexibility is influenced by several factors, including genetics, connective-tissue characteristics, age, physical activity, and previous injuries.
Some people are naturally more flexible because of inherited differences in the properties of connective tissues surrounding their joints. Athletes, dancers, gymnasts, and people involved in activities requiring extensive flexibility may also develop or demonstrate large ranges of movement.
Hypermobility can sometimes occur alongside other conditions. However, having flexible joints does not automatically mean that someone has a connective-tissue disorder.
A healthcare professional can assess your symptoms and determine whether your hypermobility is simply a characteristic of your body or whether further assessment is appropriate.
Common Symptoms of Symptomatic Hypermobility
Hypermobility itself may not cause symptoms. When it does, people may experience:
- Joint pain or aching
- Recurrent sprains and strains
- Joint instability or a feeling that a joint may “give way”
- Muscle tightness or fatigue
- Joint clicking or popping
- Reduced exercise tolerance
- Poor balance or coordination
- Recurrent injuries
- Difficulty maintaining certain postures for long periods
Symptoms may become more noticeable after physical activity or prolonged periods in one position.
Importantly, pain around a hypermobile joint does not necessarily mean that the joint is being damaged. A proper assessment is needed to understand the factors contributing to the person’s symptoms.
How Physio Can Help Manage Hypermobility
How Is Hypermobility Assessed?
Physiotherapists may assess your joint range of movement, muscle strength, balance, coordination, movement patterns, and functional abilities.
One commonly used screening tool is the Beighton score, which assesses hypermobility at several joints. However, the score is only one part of an assessment and should not be used in isolation to determine the cause of someone’s symptoms.
A physiotherapist will also consider your symptoms, injury history, activity levels, and specific functional difficulties.
This allows treatment to focus not simply on how flexible your joints are, but on how well you can control and use that range of movement.
How Can Physiotherapy Help?
Physiotherapy can play an important role in managing symptomatic hypermobility.
The primary goal is generally not to make a hypermobile person less flexible. Instead, treatment often focuses on improving strength, joint control, balance, coordination, and tolerance to activity.
- Strengthening Exercises
Strength training can help improve the muscles surrounding hypermobile joints.
For example, someone with knee instability may benefit from strengthening exercises targeting the quadriceps, hamstrings, gluteal muscles, and calf muscles.
Exercise selection should be individualised according to your symptoms, strength, movement patterns, and goals.
- Improving Joint Stability
Strong muscles are useful, but strength alone is not always enough. People with hypermobility may also benefit from exercises that improve proprioception and neuromuscular control.
These exercises teach the body to control joint movement more effectively during everyday activities and exercise.
- Balance and Proprioception Training
Proprioception refers to your body’s ability to sense where your joints are positioned.
Balance exercises, controlled movements, and functional exercises can help improve body awareness and movement control, particularly around the ankles, knees, and hips.
- Gradual Exercise Progression
Avoiding exercise completely is generally not the goal.
Instead, a physiotherapist can help you gradually increase your activity level while monitoring symptoms and recovery. This can be particularly useful if previous pain or injuries have made you nervous about exercising.
A structured programme may include resistance training, aerobic exercise, balance work, and functional activities.
- Education and Self-Management
Understanding your condition can make a significant difference.
Your physiotherapist can explain which movements or activities may aggravate your symptoms and help you develop practical strategies for managing them.
The aim is to help you become more confident and independent rather than relying entirely on passive treatment.
Should People With Hypermobility Avoid Exercise?
Not necessarily.
In fact, appropriate exercise is often an important component of managing symptomatic hypermobility. The key is choosing suitable exercises and progressing them appropriately.
Exercises that repeatedly push a joint to its extreme range may not be appropriate for everyone, particularly when they reproduce symptoms or contribute to instability.
Instead, controlled strengthening and functional movement are often emphasised.
A physiotherapist can help you determine which exercises are appropriate for your individual needs.
When Should You See a Physiotherapist?
Consider seeking professional assessment if you experience persistent joint pain, frequent sprains, repeated injuries, significant joint instability, or difficulty participating in normal activities because of your symptoms.
You should also seek medical assessment when symptoms are severe, unexplained, rapidly worsening, or associated with other concerning symptoms.
A physiotherapist can work alongside your doctor or other healthcare professionals when further investigation is required.
Take Control of Your Movement With Effective Physiotherapy and Fitness Clinic
Living with hypermobility does not mean that you have to avoid physical activity or live in fear of movement.
With the right assessment and an appropriately designed exercise programme, many people can improve their strength, movement control, physical confidence, and ability to participate in everyday and recreational activities.
At Effective Physiotherapy and Fitness Clinic, we take an individualised approach to physiotherapy. Our team can assess your movement, identify contributing factors, and develop a progressive exercise programme based on your goals and functional needs.
Whether you are experiencing recurrent joint pain, instability, sports injuries, or difficulty exercising because of hypermobility, professional guidance can help you move towards better physical function.
Don’t let hypermobility limit your activities. Contact Effective Physiotherapy and Fitness Clinic today to arrange an assessment and take the next step towards stronger, more controlled movement.
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