Understanding Hypermobility: When Being Flexible Isn’t Always an Advantage

Date: July 30, 2026
Author: Danielle Sinclair, Physiotherapist

Many people think being flexible is a good thing. While flexibility can certainly be beneficial, some people have joints that move beyond normal range, a condition known as hypermobility. For some, this causes no problems at all. For others, it can lead to pain, injuries, fatigue, and difficulties with everyday activities,

What is Hypermobility?

Hypermobility occurs when the body’s connective tissues, such as ligaments and tendons, are more elastic than average. This allows joints to move further than expected.

You might be hypermobile if you can:

• Bend your thumb back to touch your forearm

• Easily place your palms flat on the floor with straight knees

• Hyperextend your elbows or knees

• Perform “party tricks” with your joints

Many children are naturally more flexible and some people remain hypermobile throughout adulthood.

Common Symptoms

Not everyone with hypermobility experience symptoms. However, some people may notice:

• Joint pain

• Frequent sprains or strains

• Recurrent injuries

• Joint instability or feelings of “giving way”

• Muscle fatigue

• Poor balance or coordination

• Neck or back pain

• Difficulty maintaining good posture

Some people may also experience symptoms beyond their joints, such as fatigue, dizziness, digestive issues, or headaches.

Why Does Hypermobility Cause Problems?

When joints have increased movement available, the muscles often need to work harder to provide stability. Over time, this extra effort can lead to fatigue, discomfort, and increased injury risk.

People with hypermobility may find that activities requiring prolonged standing, repetitive movements, or high impact exercise can be particularly challenging.

How Physiotherapy Can Help

The goal of physiotherapy isn’t to make you less flexible. Instead, treatment focusses on helping your body better control and support your joints.

A physiotherapy program may include:

Strength training

Building strength around hypermobile joints helps improve stability and reduce strain on surrounding tissues.

Balance and Proprioception Exercises

These exercises improve your body’s awareness of joint position and movement, helping reduce the risk of injury.

Activity Management

Learning how to pace activities and manage flare-ups can help prevent symptoms from becoming overwhelming.

Movement Retraining

Small changes in posture, movement patterns, and exercise technique can often make a significant difference.

Education

Understanding your condition is an important part of managing symptoms and maintaining confidence in movement.

Exercise is Important

Many people with hypermobility become hesitant to exercise because movement can sometimes cause discomfort. However, avoiding activity can lead to reduced strength and stability, often making symptoms worse over time.

The key is finding the right type and amount of exercise for your body. A gradual, tailored program is usually more effective than pushing through pain or avoiding activity altogether.

When Should You Seek Help?

Consider speaking with a physiotherapist if you experience:

• Ongoing joint pain

• Frequent injuries

• Joint instability

• Difficulty returning to activities you enjoy

• Concerns about your flexibility or movement patterns

Early management can help improve confidence, reduce symptoms, and support long-term joint health

How We Can Help

At Soar Physiotherapy, we understand that hypermobility affects everyone differently. We take the time to assess your individual needs and develop a personalised treatment plan that focuses on strength, stability, and helping you stay active doing the things that matter most to you.

Whether you’re managing long-standing symptoms, recovering from an injury, or simply looking for guidance on exercising safely, we’re here to help.