Is it possible to be too stretchy?  Hypermobility means you can move some or all your joints more than most people can. It is thought that hypermobility affects 1 in 10 people but it could be as much as 1 in 4.

Most people who are hypermobile won’t experience any difficulties and may not be aware they have it.  It can even be seen as an advantage in sports, gymnastics, dance and yoga.  But for some there’s a hidden price to pay

Hypermobility is diagnosed using the Beighton score

The score is worked out as follows:

• 1 point if you can place your palms on the ground while standing with your legs straight
• 1 point for each elbow that bends backwards
• 1 point for each knee that bends backwards
• 1 point for each thumb that touches the forearm when bent backwards
• 1 point for each little finger that bends backwards beyond 90 degrees

If your Beighton score is 4 or more, it’s likely that you have joint hypermobility.

Due to instability of the joints hypermobility can cause some people pain, fatigue, and injuries to joints and ligaments.  People with hypermobile joints may have weak collagen in other parts of the body as well this happens, it can led to hypermobility syndrome.  Symptoms include,

• pain and stiffness in the joints and muscles – particularly towards the end of the day and after physical activity
• clicking joints
• back and neck pain
• extreme tiredness, known as fatigue
• poor co-ordination
• some people find it difficult to sense the position of a joint without being able to see it, also known as proprioception
• joint dislocations or partial dislocations
• regular soft tissue injuries – such as sprains and sports injuries
• easy bruising
• stomach pain, constipation, IBS
• bladder and bowel problems
• dizziness
• stretchy skin
• abnormal scarring

Hypermobility has also been linked to mood disorders, ADHD and autism

Sitting and standing for hypermobile people often involves ‘locking’ joints at one end of their range of movement as a way of stabilizing them, but putting additional strain on joints.  Standing with hips swayed forwards feels comfortable and safe but can lead to pressure on the hips and back pain.   Sitting with knees turned inwards, W sit, is common in hypermobile babies and toddlers, but can lead to hip, knee and foot issues

Strengthening core muscles and those that surround the joints, with pilates and yoga is essential for a hypermobile body to improve posture and ease strain and stress on joints.  If you’re concerned then seek advice from your GP.  

Join me in class if you want to understand how to help your body move better and feel better.

I can’t wait to see you