Do you have loose joints?
Do they ever feel like they are going to “pop out” of place? Or are you flexible in some directions of movement and stiff in others?
You may be hypermobile and you may be experiencing some of the many other symptoms that go hand in hand with having mobile joints.
This condition affects up to 25% of the population, and while many hypermobile individuals are asymptomatic, some experience symptoms such as:
- Joint dislocations
- Joint and muscle pain
- Chronic pain and fibromyalgia
- Fatigue
- Anxiety and other mental health implications
- Gut and digestive system disorders (because the muscles in your digestive system can weaken)
- In a small percentage of cases, joint hypermobility is just a symptom of a much larger syndrome, such as Ehler’s Danlos Syndrome and Marfan’s Syndrome, just to name a couple.
Generalised joint hypermobility is believed to run in families. Often people can relate to other family members being flexible too. This may be due to the shape of the bones and joints, the tone of the muscles and tendons, as well as the laxity in ligaments (due to weakness in collagen). It often occurs more frequently in children, with girls more at risk than boys. It can also occur during pregnancy due to changes in hormone levels.
Joint hypermobility is often more common among dance and gymnastic populations, as these children and young adults are more likely to be “good” at their chosen sport due to the desired flexibility.
In some cases, these people should be screened properly to prevent injuries and long-term pain and disabilities associated with constantly putting an extreme end of range force on their joints.
If and when hypermobile joints become painful, such as during exercise or even in times of stress (due to increased tension), you may need to seek out help and support. Often pain may start in the form of headaches or neck pain, as well as in your jaw. Other common areas for pain associated with hypermobility include the hips, knees, and ankles, as well as recurrent sprains and strains.
It is good to get on top of any pain now before it becomes more chronic. This is where your Physiotherapist can help.
Muscle Techniques
If you are experiencing pain or discomfort due to joint hypermobility, it is important to seek the help of a physiotherapist. Your physiotherapist can use techniques like joint mobilization, massage, and dry needling to relieve pain and tension in your muscles and joints. It is important to avoid sustained stretching, as this can put additional strain on your joints. Instead, use self-massage with a foam roller or massage ball to relieve tension.
Strengthening
Low-impact strength training, such as Clinical Pilates, can also help build strength and control in the muscles around your joints, particularly in the core and pelvic stabilisers. This can prevent future sprains, strains, and unwanted muscular tension.
Proprioceptive Training
Joints with excessive mobility often lack proprioception, or your body’s awareness of where your joints are and what they are doing. Proprioceptive training, including balance and “joint-sense” exercises, can help improve this awareness.
Self Care
Other self-care practices that can help with joint hypermobility include maintaining an active lifestyle, maintaining a healthy weight range, getting good sleep, and wearing supportive footwear.
And Finally –
If any of these signs and symptoms above sound familiar to you, please get in touch with one of our hypermobility Physiotherapists in Claremont or Nedlands today, for a thorough assessment and diagnosis. Making small changes to your routine now may just help you prevent any unwanted symptoms in the future!
To get treatment and advice on Joint Hypermobility or make a physiotherapy appointment, call us or click here to book online.
To make an appointment, call our Claremont physio clinic on (08) 9384 1555 or our Nedlands physio clinic on (08) 6389 2947.
