Hypermobility

Are You Hypermoblie? Here’s How Physiotherapy and Clinical Pilates Can Help You Feel Strong, Stable and in Control

Do you ever feel like your joints are going to “pop out” of place?
Or are you super flexible in some movements but surprisingly stiff in others?

You may be hypermobile — and while flexibility can be an advantage, it can also come with hidden challenges such as fatigue, pain, and instability.

At Wisdom Physiotherapy, we specialise in helping people with hypermobility move safely, reduce pain, and build long-term strength and confidence through Physiotherapy and Clinical Pilates.

What Is Hypermobility?

Hypermobility (sometimes called joint laxity or double-jointedness) means your joints can move beyond the normal range of motion. It’s surprisingly common — affecting up to 25% of people.

In many cases, hypermobile joints are symptom-free. But for others, they can cause pain, fatigue, and recurring injuries.

Common symptoms include:

• Joint dislocations or “popping” sensations

• Muscle and joint pain

• Chronic pain or fibromyalgia

• Fatigue or muscle weakness

• Anxiety or dizziness related to postural instability

• Digestive discomfort due to lax muscles in the gut

In some cases, hypermobility may be part of a broader condition such as Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome or Marfan Syndrome.

It often runs in families and is more common in women and children — especially those who dance, do gymnastics, or are naturally flexible. Hormonal changes (like pregnancy) can also increase laxity and make symptoms more noticeable.

Why It Matters

When your joints move too far, your muscles and ligaments must work overtime to stabilise them. Over time, this can lead to pain, tension, and frequent sprains or strains.

Pain might show up as:

• Headaches or neck pain

• Jaw tension or clicking

• Hip, knee or ankle instability

• Recurrent sprains or muscle tightness

The good news? With the right guidance, you can retrain your body to move with strength, balance and confidence — instead of stiffness or fear.

How Physiotherapy Helps Hypermobility

Physiotherapy plays a key role in helping people with hypermobility find stability and reduce pain.
At Wisdom Physiotherapy, our approach is gentle, evidence-based, and tailored to you.

Your physio will help you:

• Understand what’s driving your pain and instability

• Reduce joint irritation with manual therapy and targeted release

• Teach you specific movement strategies that protect your joints

• Gradually build the right kind of strength for long-term control

We often use techniques such as dry needling, joint mobilisation, soft-tissue release, and education on activity pacing — all aimed at calming the body and improving function.

Clinical Pilates and Hypermobility

For hypermobile clients, Clinical Pilates is one of the most effective (and safest) ways to build lasting stability.

Supervised by a physiotherapist, each session focuses on control before flexibility — using small, precise movements that activate your deep stabilising muscles and improve coordination.

Benefits of Clinical Pilates for hypermobility:

• Builds deep core and postural strength

• Improves joint stability and balance

• Reduces tension and fatigue

• Enhances movement awareness (proprioception)

• Prevents future sprains, strains, and flare-ups

• Boosts overall confidence in how your body feels and moves

With consistent practice, you’ll start to notice fewer flare-ups, less fatigue, and a greater sense of control over your body.

Other Helpful Strategies

Your physio will also guide you on how to manage hypermobility day-to-day through:

• Proprioceptive training: to improve body awareness and joint control

• Activity pacing: balancing rest and movement

• Supportive footwear and posture habits

• Self-care routines: foam rolling, massage balls, and strengthening (instead of long stretches)

• Sleep, hydration and stress management: all important for calming the nervous system

Take Control of Your Hypermobility 

If any of these signs or symptoms sound familiar, you don’t have to live with constant pain or uncertainty.
Our experienced physiotherapists in Nedlands and Claremont can help you understand your hypermobility, reduce pain, and rebuild long-term strength through hands-on treatment and Clinical Pilates.

Small changes now can make a big difference — helping you feel stronger, more stable, and more confident every day.

Book an appointment today and take the first step toward feeling in control of your movement again. Call us on (08) 6389 2947 for more information.

To make an appointment, call our Claremont physio clinic on (08) 9384 1555 or our Nedlands physio clinic on (08) 6389 2947.