Sometimes, being as flexible as a master yogini isn’t something to brag about. Stretching past your limits can stress your joints and erode your stability. About one in 30 people have a condition called Hypermobility Syndrome, making extreme yoga positions, or showing off double-jointed shoulders, seem like a piece of cake.

Those with diagnosable Hypermobility Syndrome have a connective tissue disorder. It can be caused by a hereditary combination of collagen structures, bone shapes, muscle tone, or a function of the nervous system’s process for relaying information about the body’s movement to the brain. Functionally, the ligaments that hold the joints together and keep them from moving too much or too far out of range are loose or weak. Hypermobile joints no longer have the protective tension necessary to signal over-extension.

But whether you're naturally inclined to a deep downward dog or not, overstretching breaks down essential tissues in your body and can lead to musculoskeletal issues such as ankle sprains and shoulder subluxations. When your joints are too flexible, you risk injury.

How to manage hypermobility

There's no cure for Hypermobility Syndrome. Treatment mainly focuses on improving muscle strength to provide stability and protection against over-extension.

Ditch static stretching like yoga, and prioritize soft tissue work and stability drills. Because your connective tissues are looser than they should be, muscle strength is more important. Your muscles can do what your connective tissue cannot: build and improve stability.

Increased muscle strength will give you more control over your body movement and help to safeguard against sprains and painful dislocations.

Working with a physical therapist or a functional movement specialist can help you with postural therapy and low-impact strength training necessary to counteract hypermobility.

Chiropractic care and hypermobility

At True Potential Chiropractic, we provide a functional medicine approach to healthcare – one that is tailored to the individual’s needs. Our training includes soft tissue therapies, physiological therapeutics, exercises, and activity modifications. Our assisted stretching and Flexfit programs, in combination with musculoskeletal alignment, can help those suffering from hypermobility find more strength and stability.

Call us today to start your personalized journey to wellness. (503) 574-4872