Care for Hypermobility

What is hypermobility?

Not sure where to begin if you suspect you may be hypermobile or have HSD/hEDS? It can feel overwhelming, but learning about these conditions is the best first step.

At Physio FormeSanté, our holistic team will work together to assess you for Hypermobility Spectrum Disorder (HSD) and hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (hEDS) while helping you manage their complex symptoms.

How we can help

Whether you’re already diagnosed or simply suspect you may be hypermobile, we’re here to help. We offer initial HSD/hEDS evaluations and comprehensive follow-up care.

Resources

Living with chronic pain and a wide range of other symptoms can feel isolating, but you’re not alone. Joining a strong, growing community of HSD/hEDS patients can help you stay connected, informed, and supported.

What is hypermobility?

"If you can't connect the issues, think connective tissue." - attributed to Dr. Heidi Collins

Hypermobility refers to a condition where joints move beyond the typical range of motion. Many people are hypermobile and have no symptoms. Sometimes called "double-jointed" or just exceptionally "flexible," they may even excel in pursuits like gymanstics or dance because of their hypermobility. However, in cases where hypermobility is symptomatic - causing pain, recurrent injury, and other systemic symptoms- a diagnosis of Hypermobility Spectrum Disorder (HSD) or hypermobile Ehlers Danlos Syndrome (hEDS) should be explored.

HSD and hEDS

Hypermobility Spectrum Disorder (HSD) and hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (hEDS) are disorders affecting the strength and resilience of your connective tissues - the fibers and structures that support and connect the body’s organs, joints, skin, blood vessels, and other structures. Because connective tissue is everywhere in your body, when it is more prone to damage, you may experience seemingly unrelated, system-wide issues including but certainly not limited to joint hypermobility and instability, often leading to recurrent subluxations or dislocations. Other systemic issues typically experienced include gastrointestinal dysfunction, autonomic nervous system disorders (for example, Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome or "POTS"), organ prolapse, poor wound healing and dermatological dysfunction, instability along your spine, unexplained bruising, chronic fatigue and widespread pain, allergies, migraine, and even anxiety and insomnia.

Both HSD and hEDS may involve all these symptoms and more, and each may, at least in part, have a genetic cause. But that doesn't mean you've always felt this way: some patients report lifelong symptoms, while others report symptom onset or worsening after an illness, injury, or other traumatic event. And while genetic testing can help rule out other subtypes of Ehlers-Danlos, there is no definitive genetic test for either HSD or hEDS. Instead, diagnosis involves a thorough medical history, physical assessment of joint range of motion, and evaluation of related systemic symptoms: in cases where someone with symptomatic hypermobility does not meet the strict diagnostic criteria for hEDS, they are typically diagnosed with HSD. But these criteria are currently under reevaluation and, in any case, the difference in diagnosis has no effect in how each condition is treated, nor should it be taken as a measure of the severity of your condition. Each condition exists on a wide spectrum.

It's a lot to take in. But there is help. Physiotherapy, occupational therapy, and other targeted therapies can help you manage HSD and hEDS by improving joint stability, strength, mobility, and function, while reducing pain and preventing injuries.

We're here to help. Book an evaluation today.

Predict the future by creating it

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Expertise: active release, neuromobilization, and more.

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