Massage therapy · Kitchener–WaterlooBenign Hypermobility Joint Syndrome
Whole body
What It Is
Benign hypermobility joint syndrome is a condition where joints move beyond the normal range expected for a particular joint. It is an older name: the condition was later called joint hypermobility syndrome, and is now usually called hypermobility spectrum disorder (HSD). A closely related condition is hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (hEDS); both can cause the same problems and are managed in the same way (Arthritis UK, 2026). Hypermobile joints are sometimes referred to as "loose joints", and people with them may describe themselves as "double-jointed" (NHS, 2023).
It is thought that hypermobility affects about one in five people, and most people who are hypermobile do not have any difficulties (Arthritis UK, 2026). Children are often more hypermobile and may lose this as they grow up (Arthritis UK, 2026). However, some people have ongoing loose ligaments (laxity), leading to long-term problems such as pain, tiredness and joint instability. The condition can be limiting; physical therapists help people develop strategies to increase joint stability, reduce pain and improve function. I can help with this too.
What Is The Cause of Benign Hypermobility Joint Syndrome?
Not a diagnosis — for more information, contact me or another trusted healthcare provider.
Symptoms
How It Feels
What Are Benign Hypermobility Joint Syndrome Symptoms?
Treatment
Self-Care & Treatment
Treating Benign Hypermobility Joint Syndrome
Treatments you may want to discuss with your family doctor or nurse practitioner
BHJS Top Tip
If you have signs of hypermobility you should be very careful when stretching muscles, and avoid overextending your joints just because you can (NHS, 2023). I also advise avoiding self-manipulation, where you click or crack your own joints.
Treatment
My Approach
With hypermobile joints, the aim is the opposite of stretching: your joints already have more range than your muscles can easily control. My aim is to ease the pain and tension, and build the strength and control that protect your joints.
I start by assessing how flexible your joints are in general, testing how well the ligaments around your problem joints are holding, and checking your strength, balance, posture and how you move. Loose joints often have stiff neighbours, because the body compensates, so I look for those too.
Hands-On Treatment
- I don't mobilise or stretch a loose joint itself
- Gentle mobilisation goes to the stiff areas above or below instead, such as a stiff upper back under a loose shoulder, which takes some strain off the joint that's doing too much
- Muscles that work overtime to hold a loose joint steady often develop tight, tender knots; I treat these with sustained pressure followed by warmth, with no stretching afterwards
Strength and Control
- We start with holds: tightening a muscle without moving the joint, in a safe, well-supported position
- Then moving exercises, once your muscles can hold the joint where it belongs
- Balance and co-ordination work
- A home programme between visits and, when you're ready, gym-based strength work built up gradually with good control
Day to Day
What to Expect
Typical Course
What I Focus On
Sources
References
- NHS (2023) Joint hypermobility syndrome. Available at: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/joint-hypermobility-syndrome/ (Accessed: 7 October 2026).
- Arthritis UK (2026) Joint hypermobility: symptoms, causes and treatment. Available at: https://www.arthritis-uk.org/information-and-support/understanding-arthritis/conditions/joint-hypermobility/ (Accessed: 7 October 2026).
- The Ehlers-Danlos Society (n.d.) Assessing joint hypermobility. Available at: https://www.ehlers-danlos.com/assessing-joint-hypermobility/ (Accessed: 7 October 2026).