Hypermobility Treatment – Improve Joint Stability and Prevent Injury

“I’ve been advised that I’m hypermobile and that I need to improve my joint stability in order to prevent injuries and early onset osteoarthritis.”

Joint hypermobility means that one or more of your joints move beyond the normal or optimal range of motion. People with hypermobile joints are often described as being “double-jointed” or unusually flexible.

While flexibility can be beneficial in some sports and activities, excessive joint mobility can also lead to instability, injury and long-term joint damage if it is not properly managed.

At The Sogunro Practice, we specialise in helping clients with hypermobility build joint stability, improve muscle control and reduce the risk of long-term musculoskeletal problems through targeted treatment and Applied Pilates.

What Is Joint Hypermobility?

People with joint hypermobility can move parts of their body into positions that most people cannot achieve. This happens because the ligaments and connective tissues supporting the joints are more elastic than normal.

Hypermobility is relatively common. Research suggests that around 20% of people in the UK may have hypermobile joints, particularly children and young adults.

Many people are unaware they are hypermobile and may even use their flexibility to excel in activities such as:

> Gymnastics

> Dance

> Swimming

> Yoga

> Martial arts

However, hypermobile joints can also make people more susceptible to musculoskeletal injuries, including:

> Recurrent sprains

> Muscle or tendon strains

> Joint instability

> Partial or full joint dislocations

> Chronic joint pain

Without appropriate management, long-term joint instability can contribute to accelerated joint wear and early onset osteoarthritis.

Hypermobility Syndromes

These may include:

> Chronic pain

> Persistent fatigue

> Recurrent joint injuries or dislocations

> Digestive problems

> Hernias

> Varicose veins

When hypermobility is combined with these symptoms, a person may be diagnosed with a hypermobility syndrome.

The most common is Joint Hypermobility Syndrome (JHS), which is closely associated with Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS) — a connective tissue disorder that affects collagen and joint stability.

What Causes Joint Hypermobility?

Understanding the underlying causes of hypermobility is essential for managing the condition and preventing long-term joint damage.

Four key factors typically contribute to joint hypermobility.

1. Ligament Structure

Ligaments are strong bands of connective tissue that connect bones and stabilise joints.

In hypermobile individuals, the collagen within the ligaments may be genetically different, making them:

> Weaker

> More elastic

> Less able to stabilise joints effectively

This allows joints to move beyond their optimal range of motion.

2. Joint Structure

The shape of the bones that form a joint also affects its movement.

For example, shallow hip or shoulder sockets may allow a greater range of movement but can also increase the likelihood of instability and dislocation.

These structural characteristics are usually inherited or present from birth.

3. Muscle Strength and Tone

Muscles play a crucial role in supporting and stabilising joints.

If muscles are weak or poorly conditioned, joints rely more heavily on passive structures such as ligaments. This can allow excessive movement and increase the risk of injury.

Improving muscle strength and control is one of the most effective ways to stabilise hypermobile joints.

4. Proprioception (Joint Position Awareness)

Proprioception is the body's ability to sense the position of joints without looking at them.

Some hypermobile individuals have reduced proprioception, meaning they may unknowingly move joints into extreme positions.

Improving proprioception helps you develop better control of movement and protect your joints from excessive strain.

The Good News: Hypermobility Can Be Managed

Although ligament and joint structure are largely genetic, muscle strength and proprioception can be significantly improved with the right treatment and exercise programme.

With appropriate guidance, people with hypermobility can:

> Improve joint stability

> Reduce injury risk

> Decrease pain

> Protect joints from long-term damage

Finding the right strategy can make a dramatic difference to long-term joint health.

Applied Pilates for Hypermobility

Every individual with hypermobility presents differently.

Factors such as age, genetics, activity level, fitness and previous injuries all influence how the body responds to exercise.

This is why generic exercise programmes rarely work for hypermobility.

At The Sogunro Practice, we use a personalised Applied Pilates approach to help improve joint stability safely.

Your Initial Assessment

During your initial consultation we assess:

> Joint mobility

> Muscle strength

> Movement control

> Proprioception

> Postural patterns

This assessment allows us to identify:

> Muscles that need strengthening

> Muscles that are tight or overactive

> Joints that require improved stability

From this information we design a personalised Applied Pilates programme tailored specifically to your body.

How Applied Pilates Improves Hypermobility

Your personalised exercise programme will focus on:

> Strengthening the muscles that stabilise joints

> Improving coordination and movement control

> Increasing proprioception and joint awareness

> Balancing muscle activity around joints

This approach helps create balanced muscular support around each joint, improving stability and reducing excessive movement.

Osteolates for Hypermobility

In some cases, muscles, tendons and ligaments may require manual treatment to function optimally.

At The Sogunro Practice, we combine Applied Pilates with Osteolates soft tissue therapy to maximise results.

Osteolates treatment can help:

> Prepare muscles for exercise

> Release excessive muscle tension

> Improve circulation

> Reduce pain

> Support healing of soft tissue injuries

By combining targeted exercise with occasional hands-on treatment, many clients achieve faster improvements in muscle function and joint stability.

Support for Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS)

For clients with more severe hypermobility syndromes such as Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome, treatment can also focus on improving circulation in affected areas.

These techniques can help reduce both chronic and acute pain associated with connective tissue disorders.

Learning to Manage Your Hypermobility

An important part of treatment is learning how to use your flexibility safely.

At The Sogunro Practice we help you:

> Understand the difference between optimal range and excessive range of motion

> Improve awareness of joint positioning

> Build realistic and sustainable strength

> Protect joints during daily activities and exercise

Our aim is to help you develop long-term strategies that maintain joint stability and support lifelong musculoskeletal health.

Hypermobility Treatment at The Sogunro Practice

If you have been diagnosed with hypermobility, or suspect that excessive flexibility may be contributing to pain or injury, professional guidance can make a significant difference.

At The Sogunro Practice – Pilates Studio and Rehabilitation Centre, we combine:

> Applied Pilates

> Osteolates soft tissue therapy

to help you improve joint stability, reduce pain and prevent long-term joint damage.

With the right guidance and a personalised programme, hypermobility can be managed effectively and safely.