Hyper-mobility Explained by a Den Hague Chiropractor

Hypermobility : When Being Flexible Isn't Always an Advantage

Can you touch your thumb to your forearm? Bend your elbows backwards? Put your palms flat on the floor without bending your knees?

If so, you might be hyper-mobile.

Often described as being double-jointed, hyper-mobility simply means that some of your joints move further than what is considered the normal range of motion.

For some people, it's just an interesting party trick. For others, it can be accompanied by aches, muscle tension, fatigue and joints that don't always feel particularly stable.

And here's something interesting: **being more flexible doesn't necessarily mean your body moves better.**

What is hypermobility?

Your joints are supported by a combination of ligaments, muscles and connective tissues. These structures help keep everything stable while allowing you to move.

In hypermobile people, the connective tissues around certain joints allow for greater movement than usual.

You might notice:

- Knees or elbows that bend backwards.

- Thumbs that touch your forearms.

- Fingers that bend unusually far backwards.

- An ability to stretch much further than most people.

Hypermobility is relatively common and isn't necessarily a problem. Some people have it without ever experiencing discomfort.

However, when joints move beyond their usual range, the muscles surrounding them may have to work harder to maintain stability.

Why are my muscles always so tight?

This is one of the more interesting aspects of hypermobility.

You might assume that someone who is naturally flexible would have relaxed muscles. Yet many hypermobile people experience persistent muscle tightness, tension and fatigue.

Why?

Your muscles do more than create movement. They also help stabilise your joints and provide your nervous system with information about where your body is in space. This is called proprioception.

When your joints have less passive support from their surrounding tissues, your muscles may need to work harder to control movement and maintain stability.

Over time, this additional effort can contribute to muscular tension, discomfort and fatigue.

It's also why constantly stretching tight muscles isn't necessarily the answer. Sometimes those muscles are working overtime because they're trying to provide stability.

Strength over flexibility

If you're hypermobile, your goal probably shouldn't be to become even more flexible.

Instead, think about building strength, control and stability.

A few things that can help:

Build strength: Strengthening the muscles around your joints helps provide active support and better movement control.

Avoid pushing your limits: Just because you can lock your knees or elbows backwards doesn't mean you should spend your day doing it.

Improve body awareness: Balance exercises, controlled movements and coordination work can help improve proprioception.

Keep moving: Strength training, swimming, cycling and appropriately adapted Pilates can all be useful. The important thing is finding activities that work for your body.

Is hypermobility the same as Ehlers-Danlos syndrome?

Not necessarily.

You may have heard of hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (hEDS), a connective tissue disorder in which joint hypermobility is an important feature.

There is also something called Hypermobility Spectrum Disorder (HSD), which describes people who experience problems associated with hypermobility but don't meet the criteria for a specific EDS diagnosis.

Simply being flexible doesn't mean you have either condition. However, if you're experiencing persistent joint pain, instability or unusual fatigue, it's worth discussing this with your GP.

Where does chiropractic care fit in?

At Essential Chiropractic, I often talk about the relationship between your joints, muscles and nervous system.

Movement isn't just about how far a joint can travel. It's also about how well your body controls and coordinates that movement.

For someone who is hypermobile, simply trying to increase joint mobility may not be particularly helpful. The focus should be on understanding individual movement patterns, managing discomfort and supporting better function.

Chiropractic care may be part of a broader approach to managing musculoskeletal discomfort, but it doesn't change the underlying connective tissue characteristics associated with hypermobility. Adjustments should always be adapted to the individual's needs and joint stability.

Sometimes the goal isn't more movement. It's better control of the movement you already have.

Remember: your body doesn't just need the freedom to move. It needs the ability to control that movement, too.

Have questions about hypermobility or wondering whether it might be contributing to your aches and pains? Come have a chat at Essential Chiropractic in The Hague.