Are you double jointed? Are you affected by Hypermobility Syndrome? Why don’t you take the test yourself?
Being double jointed or hypermobile can be a pain for some people and not for others…. Literally!
When you are hypermobile, your joints lack support due to lax ligaments and supporting tissue around it. There is a spectrum of being hypermobile from having one joint which is very flexible to having numerous flexible joints resulting in potential dislocations.
If you are hypermobile, there are a number of things you can do to help yourself:
- Seek physiotherapy advice, as strengthening the muscles that support the painful hypermobile joints minimises further injury.
- Your core muscles is your powerhouse, and working these muscles not only gives your spine support but it improves your proprioception. This is the body’s ability to know where it is in space, to analyse the information and to respond quickly. In layman’s terms, proprioceptive work teaches your joints to avoid uncomfortable positions which could worsen the pain.
- Work on your posture. Good posture reduces stresses on joints.
- Avoid high impact sports and contact sports as this puts increased stresses on joints. Good activities are swimming and cycling.
- Wear good supportive footwear. Arch supports may be helpful if you are flat footed. Boots may be more suitable if you have unstable ankles.