If you’ve ever been told you’re “double-jointed” or noticed you can move your joints further than most people, you may have hypermobility. While this can sometimes be harmless, for many it’s linked to pain, instability, and recurring injuries — especially in the spine and surrounding joints.
What is Hypermobility?
Hypermobility means a joint moves beyond its normal range of motion. This can be due to naturally looser connective tissues (ligaments, tendons, joint capsules) or sometimes conditions affecting collagen. It’s often inherited, but injuries, repetitive activities, or muscle imbalances can also contribute.
Who is Most Commonly Affected?
Hypermobility can affect anyone, but it’s most commonly seen in young, slender females, particularly children and teenagers. It’s also more common in people with a family history of flexible joints or certain connective tissue conditions. Gymnasts, dancers, and performers often display hypermobility — sometimes as an advantage, sometimes as a source of problems.
Common Issues Linked to Hypermobility
Because the ligaments aren’t holding the joint as firmly, other structures — like muscles — have to work harder to stabilise it. This can lead to:
- Recurring sprains or strains
- Joint pain and fatigue
- Muscle tension from overcompensation
- Poor posture or spinal instability
- Headaches, back pain, or hip/shoulder discomfort
Is Hypermobility the Same Everywhere?
No. Hypermobility rarely affects every joint equally. In fact, the spine often shows a mix of hypermobile and restricted joints. For example, if one spinal segment becomes misaligned and restricted, the joints above or below may move too much to compensate. This creates uneven stress, which over time can lead to pain or dysfunction.
💡 Can Chiropractic Help if I’m Hypermobile?
Yes — but with the right approach. At Northwood Chiropractic Oxford, we use the Gonstead System, which focuses on finding and adjusting only the joints that are truly misaligned and restricted. In hypermobile patients, the last thing we want to do is move joints that are already moving too much. Instead, we aim to restore proper movement where it’s lacking, so the rest of the spine doesn’t have to overcompensate.
We see many patients with hypermobility, and with careful assessment and precise adjustments, many notice improvements in stability, posture, and comfort.
🧩 How Do I Know if I Have Hypermobility?
Some signs include:
- Being able to bend your thumb to touch your forearm
- Elbows or knees that straighten beyond 180°
- Being able to easily place your palms flat on the floor with straight legs
- Joints that click, pop, or feel unstable
- A history of frequent sprains, strains, or joint discomfort
If you’re unsure, we can perform specific tests as part of a full chiropractic examination.
The Next Step
While hypermobility can be managed, we can’t say whether chiropractic can help you specifically until we perform a complete assessment. This allows us to identify exactly which joints are misaligned or restricted, understand the cause of your symptoms, and create a tailored care plan.
📅 If you’re struggling with pain, instability, or recurring injuries and suspect hypermobility may be part of the picture, book a consultation at Northwood Chiropractic Oxford today.
