What is Hypermobility?
The word hypermobility simply translates as more movement than ‘normal’. In terms of our bodies, this is relating to our joints and some of our soft-tissues. Hypermobility syndrome is part of a family of related genetic conditions affecting the connective tissues in our body. The human body’s strength and durability is dependent on healthy connective tissue proteins such as Collagen. If there are differences in how these proteins are structured, then this will affect not only how flexible we are, but also how much our joints move and how strong we are.
It is estimated that around 30% of the population are hypermobile. It is more common in women and children, and those of Afro-Caribbean and Asian descent. It is particularly common in gymnasts, athletes and dancers, as it lends itself to being able to put the body into more extreme ‘end-of-range’ positions.
What are the symptoms of Hypermobility?
Many of those with hypermobility have no significant symptoms, which is known as ‘asymptomatic hypermobility’. However, it can go on to cause numerous symptoms throughout the body, the most common of which is joint pain or discomfort. This is known as symptomatic hypermobility, and can be due to specific heritable (genetic) connective tissue disorders, for example Ehlers-Danlos Syndromes, Marfan Syndrome, Osteogenesis Imperfecta, and others. It can also be caused by abnormalities in joint shape, ligament laxity or muscle tone but without a specific connective tissue disorder as such. People with these forms of symptomatic hypermobility are said to have a hypermobility syndrome.
Common symptoms of hypermobility syndrome can include:
Joint instability and hyper-extension, subluxations and/or dislocations
Muscle strains and ligament sprains
Easy bruising, poor wound healing
Long term (persistent) pain
Stomach and digestive problems (e.g. Reflux and slow stomach emptying)
Poor proprioception (our joint-position sense)
Bladder and bowel problems
Stretchy or soft skin
Autonomic dysfunction (where the autonomic nervous system does not work properly), e.g. Postural Tachycardia Syndrome (symptoms of which include dizziness, fainting, light-headedness, difficulty regulating temperature)
Chronic fatigue
Symptoms of course vary a lot from person to person, and also vary over time for each individual. Often hypermobility can become symptomatic, or more symptomatic, after something changes in that person’s life, that tips the balance from manageable to unmanageable. These events, or triggers, could be things such as illness, injury, stress, changes in personal or work life, or changes in activity or sport.
Managing Hypermobility
There is no cure for being hypermobile, but there are many things that can help manage the associated symptoms. Physiotherapists play a huge role in managing hypermobility because they are experts in human movement and rehabilitation. By identifying ‘abnormal’ or problematic movement patterns, areas of weakness, or areas of laxity, treatment plans can be put in place involving exercises, activity or lifestyle changes, and general pain management and exercise tolerance advice, to improve the individual’s function, strength and ultimately their life – sometimes beyond what they thought was possible.
It is important however to ensure that expert and specialist advice and help is sought, as hypermobility-related conditions often go unrecognised in the healthcare system for long periods of time. This results in the patients going from healthcare professional to healthcare professional, accruing multiple different diagnoses. However it is with little or no awareness that these different issues/symptoms (see the list above) are often underpinned by the same problem.
We now know that these conditions affect multiple body systems, and not just joints. This is why The Green Physio provides expert and specialised physiotherapy for hypermobility-related conditions, adopting a truly holistic, or ‘whole-person’ approach.
Useful Resources:
Ehlers-Danlos Society - https://www.ehlers-danlos.com/
HMSA - https://www.hypermobility.org/
There are lots of other useful resources out there, including social and support groups, forums and charities, of which the above two links are great places to start.