- RECOGNISING THE PATTERN

Hypermobility syndromes -
when it's more than flexible joints

When hypermobility is combined with certain other symptoms, a person may be diagnosed with a hypermobility syndrome. In particular, this is a distinct clinical picture from hypermobility alone. The most common is Joint Hypermobility Syndrome (JHS). This is closely associated with Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS), a connective tissue disorder affecting collagen and joint stability.

Although ligament and joint structure are largely genetic, muscle strength and proprioception can be improved. Specifically, this happens with the right treatment and exercise programme. With appropriate guidance, people with hypermobility can improve joint stability, reduce injury risk, decrease pain, and protect their joints from long-term damage. As a result, the outlook is genuinely positive.

Why generic exercise rarely works

  More stretching, not more strength - Hypermobile clients are often told to stretch more, since they feel "tight." However, this typically increases instability rather than resolving it.

  Generic strength programmes - Every individual with hypermobility presents differently. Age, genetics, activity level and previous injuries all influence how the body responds, so generic programmes rarely work.

  Ignoring proprioception - Strength alone is not enough if joint position awareness remains poor. Without it, joints can still move into extreme, unsafe positions unknowingly.

How Osteolates Therapy helps  →

01

PREPARATION PHASE  Calming overactive, compensating muscles - Hypermobile clients often develop overactive muscles compensating for joint laxity. As a result, these muscles feel chronically tight even though they are not genuinely shortened. Osteolates soft tissue treatment releases this guarding. Therefore, pain reduces and the body is prepared for targeted strengthening. Stretching is deliberately minimised at this stage.

02

STABILISATION PHASE  Building strength & proprioception - Applied Pilates on the full STOTT Pilates apparatus targets the specific weak muscles identified in your assessment. In addition, it retrains joint position awareness simultaneously. The Cadillac in particular allows controlled, supported work. In other words, this is something a standard reformer-only studio cannot offer.

03

CONFIDENCE PHASE  Strength that protects you long term - As control improves, the programme progresses towards functional movement and your specific activity goals. Because of this, strength translates directly into daily life. Most clients then move to small group membership to maintain joint stability for years, not just months.

WHY THE CADILLAC MATTERS HERE

The Cadillac provides supported, controlled positions. As a result, hypermobile clients can build strength without the joint moving into an unsafe range. As a result, exercises can be precisely tailored to stay within each client's safe zone. Full apparatus studio →→

NOT MORE FLEXIBILITY — MORE CONTROL

The instinct for many hypermobile clients is to stretch more, since they feel tight. However, that usually increases instability. Therefore, the focus is deliberately on strength and control instead.

"Hypermobile joints don't need more range. They need the strength to control the range they already have."  TEEJAY SOGUNRO