30/07/2026
PHYSIOTALK with Bec - Not Just Flexible
Hypermobility is something that is often spoken about in children. However, like most things we had no idea about 40 years ago, it is not surprising that more recently many adults are being diagnosed with it; me included. This was a big surprise, as Hypermobility to me meant “being flexible”. I was the most in-flexible child in my ballet class at the age of 6 and could never quite work out how to get my legs moving in any sort of delicate way. When I started looking into hypermobility a little more, things started making sense.
Joint hypermobility, with its possible complications, is now classified using the idea of a spectrum. At one end is simple hypermobility; usually these are those people thought of as ‘flexible’. As this causes no adverse symptoms, this is not a disease but more like a trait, like height. At the other end of the spectrum is hEDS (Hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome) a heritable, often genetic, condition with many complications. In between falls a range of conditions called hypermobility spectrum disorders (HSD). That’s where I, and many people with hypermobility issues, sit.
When we talk about being hypermobile, typically we think of just joints. However, hypermobility primarily impacts the connective tissues throughout our body. Connective tissue is the stuff that holds us together. It’s the ligaments that holds bones to bones, the tissue that wraps around our joints, it’s the protective coating around our muscles that then forms the tendon that attaches to our bones. Connective tissue makes up our fascia, the sheeting material that sits under our skin, wraps over every muscle, organ and blood vessel as well. It’s literally the glue that makes up the fibre of our being.
Due to the number of things in our bodies that are made of this connective tissue, the symptoms of hypermobility can be quite varied and include: fatigue – general, or muscular; Joint dislocations, or clicking during movement; compensation patterns of tissue tightness to help support floppy joints – like extra tight back muscles, hamstrings, calves or neck and shoulder muscles; chronic pain throughout muscles or joints; blood pressure changes – generally low and being prone to lightheaded-ness, or almost fainting especially when standing up or standing for too long; constipation (yes even your bowel has connective tissue that can be too stretchy and not contract effectively). Additionally, things like being neurodivergent and having food or environmental sensitivities can be quite common in the world of hypermobility. And finally – symptoms of hypermobility are impacted by hormonal changes throughout menstrual cycles, or when women move into perimenopause or menopause.
So, my investigations into Hypermobility Spectrum Disorders (HSD) were quite the journey and, as a result, spotting it within clinical practice is also easier. Physio can be so beneficial to teach us how to ensure we have good stability in our core muscles, and how to slowly grade your exercises – especially resistance training – to make sure you are protecting your joints and other tissues in your body during activity. If any of these wild and wonderful symptoms sound like something you are dealing with, we would love to point you in the right direction.
Follow the link below for more reading around hypermobility.
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Physiotalk with Rebecca Bell
