Hypermobility Physiotherapy Brisbane southside.
What is hypermobility?
Hypermobility is a generic umbrella term that describes several conditions and syndromes that are associated with increased flexibility of the joints and/or soft tissue throughout the body. Hypermobile joint is the joint that can bend beyond the typical range of movement in one or several planes.
Hypermobility is common, estimating up to 1 to 3 in 10 people with women, children and people of Asian descent being hypermobile more often. Some occupations have more hypermobile individuals, e.g. dancers, gymnasts, athletes and musicians, however it is a more selective effect as those with hypermobility are likely to perform better.
What are the symptoms of hypermobility?
Most hypermobile people don’t have any symptoms or complaints. About 10% of hypermobile individuals are symptomatic with what appears to be an unrelated array of symptoms:
Symptoms vary a lot from person to person, and also with time. Injuries, illnesses, physical or life stressors can often tip the scale for the body from compensated and coping into decompensation and “not coping” state where new symptoms appear, or existing symptoms get worse.
Types of hypermobility.
There are four major groups of hypermobility conditions:
First group requires medical investigation and testing for specific diagnosis. Majority of hypermobile people though will fall into groups 2 and 3 (if group 1 is excluded) based on following criteria:
Physiotherapy Management of Hypermobility
Although there are key differences in the causes of hypermobility, the management approach is similar for majority of the presentations. Physiotherapy plays a pivotal role in the hypermobility management for a symptomatic patient as the practitioner can bring together musculoskeletal, functional and psycho-social goals and methods into the management plan.
Treatment goals will vary from person to person; however, the exercise therapy is key for addressing the majority of the hypermobility-associated problems:
Management of hypermobility is ongoing and often requires the changes in the lifestyle to incorporate the exercise.
Our physiotherapists are able to assess your body’s needs and build comprehensive rehabilitation plan to help you get your symptoms under control and reduce their impact on your life, as well as achieve your functional goals and improve your physical function.
If you or a loved one are suffering from hypermobility or suspecting you might be, come in and see our friendly Coorparoo and Tarragindi physiotherapists today! Call us on 07 3706 3407 or email [email protected] for a booking. We would love to work with you.
Hypermobility is a generic umbrella term that describes several conditions and syndromes that are associated with increased flexibility of the joints and/or soft tissue throughout the body. Hypermobile joint is the joint that can bend beyond the typical range of movement in one or several planes.
Hypermobility is common, estimating up to 1 to 3 in 10 people with women, children and people of Asian descent being hypermobile more often. Some occupations have more hypermobile individuals, e.g. dancers, gymnasts, athletes and musicians, however it is a more selective effect as those with hypermobility are likely to perform better.
What are the symptoms of hypermobility?
Most hypermobile people don’t have any symptoms or complaints. About 10% of hypermobile individuals are symptomatic with what appears to be an unrelated array of symptoms:
- Joint instability and hyper-extension, sprains, strains, subluxations or dislocations
- Chronic fatigue
- Poor proprioception appearing as clumsiness, poor fine motor skills e.g. messy handwriting
- Autonomic dysfunction Including postural tachycardia syndrome (e.g. dizziness, fainting, light-headedness, difficulty regulating temperature or heat intolerance)
- Pain or excessive fatigue after routine sport or exercise
- Stomach and digestive problems (e.g. reflux or delayed gastric emptying)
- Bowel problems, e.g. irritable bowel or food allergies and intolerances
- Adoption of end-range postures e.g. slouching, sway back
- Anxiety and depression
- Poor wound healing
- Persistent pain, fibromyalgia, non-specific low back or hip pain
- Stretchy or soft skin
Symptoms vary a lot from person to person, and also with time. Injuries, illnesses, physical or life stressors can often tip the scale for the body from compensated and coping into decompensation and “not coping” state where new symptoms appear, or existing symptoms get worse.
Types of hypermobility.
There are four major groups of hypermobility conditions:
- Specific genetic (heritable) conditions that compromise the elasticity of the connective tissue and collagen in the body, such as Ehlers-Danlos syndromes, Marfan syndrome, Stickler syndrome, osteogenesis imperfecta and others.
- Loose joints, ligaments or poor muscle tone without a specific identifiable connective tissue disorder. Commonly termed as Joint Hypermobility Syndrome or Hypermobility Spectrum Disorder. This is the diagnosis of exclusion where all other specific causes have been ruled out.
- Injury- or repeated stretching/training-related hypermobility, local to single joint or multiple joints.
- Other conditions where hypermobility is a secondary effect, e.g. Down’s syndrome, cerebral palsy and others.
First group requires medical investigation and testing for specific diagnosis. Majority of hypermobile people though will fall into groups 2 and 3 (if group 1 is excluded) based on following criteria:
- Generalised hypermobility spectrum disorder (gHSD): is assessed using the Beighton score, along with secondary musculo-skeletal manifestations (listed above in Symptoms)
- Peripheral hypermobility spectrum disorder (pHSD): Joint hypermobility of the hands and feet, and one or more musculoskeletal manifestation (see Symptoms above)
- Localised hypermobility spectrum disorder (lHSD): A single joint or group of joints is hypermobile, with one or more secondary musculoskeletal manifestations (see Symptoms above)
- Historical hypermobility spectrum disorder (hHSD): Symptoms of gHSD are reported, but the individual is no longer as hypermobile as joints have stiffened with age, injury, or surgery etc.
- Asymptomatic hypermobility: hypermobility is present, but without symptoms.
Physiotherapy Management of Hypermobility
Although there are key differences in the causes of hypermobility, the management approach is similar for majority of the presentations. Physiotherapy plays a pivotal role in the hypermobility management for a symptomatic patient as the practitioner can bring together musculoskeletal, functional and psycho-social goals and methods into the management plan.
Treatment goals will vary from person to person; however, the exercise therapy is key for addressing the majority of the hypermobility-associated problems:
- Improving strength and postural stability therefore stabilising the joints posturally or through movement, taping or bracing
- Reducing the impact and risk of injuries
- Modulating nervous system with movement and manual therapy thus reducing anxiety and autonomic nervous system symptoms
- Reducing sensitivity to movement and physical load
- Improving mood
- Improving fatigue and energy levels
- Other modalities used in hypermobility treatment include manual therapy, load management, relaxation techniques, education and advice to address beliefs and fear.
Management of hypermobility is ongoing and often requires the changes in the lifestyle to incorporate the exercise.
Our physiotherapists are able to assess your body’s needs and build comprehensive rehabilitation plan to help you get your symptoms under control and reduce their impact on your life, as well as achieve your functional goals and improve your physical function.
If you or a loved one are suffering from hypermobility or suspecting you might be, come in and see our friendly Coorparoo and Tarragindi physiotherapists today! Call us on 07 3706 3407 or email [email protected] for a booking. We would love to work with you.
