Hypermobility

Hypermobility is the term given when joints can be moved beyond what is considered a normal range, into over extension.  

Hypermobility is a connective tissue condition, where collagen found around the body has extra elasticity causing flexibility in joints.  The condition can be under-recognised.   A proportion of people with hypermobility do not have any symptoms and some even find it to be an asset as in the case of athletes, gymnasts and dancers.  Whereas other people can have problematic symptoms such as fatigue, chronic pain and anxiety as the body works extra hard at stabilising itself.  Poor proprioception, clumsiness and repeatedly misusing the joints can make people prone to injury, pain and in some cases dislocations.
 

The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) has not produced any guidelines for the management of hypermobility.  The British Society for Rheumatology, which has a NICE accredited process for producing guidelines, has stated that they do not have enough evidence to develop a guideline.  The NHS state that there is no cure for joint hypermobility syndrome and suggests physical therapies, such as physiotherapy and occupational therapy, which aim to improve muscle strength, fitness, posture and balance.
 

Although no studies have been undertaken on the effectiveness of the Alexander Technique and hypermobility, some health professionals are increasingly noting the value that the Alexander Technique has in offering self management strategies to deal with some of the issues hypermobility causes.  
 

Dr Phillip Bull, Consultant Rheumatologist and medical advisor to the Hypermobility Syndromes Association (HMSA) has written about his experience of his patients with hypermobility using the Alexander Technique alongside a multi disciplinary approach.  Read his article here.
 

My own experience of hypermobility has developed my personal and professional awareness of hypermobility related issues.  Like many others I lived with hypermobility for many years without knowing what was causing my pain and repeated injuries.  I have invested a considerable amount of energy into informing myself and learning how to improve my self management.   I offer 1.1 work and groups to members of SEDS Connective charity and act as an adviser raising awareness about the Alexander Technique.  My Alexander Technique Teacher training and CPD has included adapting teaching for hypermobile clients.  However, Alexander Teachers are not medically trained and Alexander Technique teaching does not replace medical advice.  Alexander Technique sits under the category of complementary health and helps improve clients' sense of wellbeing and posture.
 

What the Alexander Technique could help with: 

• Learning how to improve the coordination of your postural mechanisms. 
• Learning to use your body to its best advantage. 
• Improving the reliability of your body awareness (proprioception). 
• Learning how to reduce unneeded tension to ease stiff joints. 
• Self care skills.
• Energy management.
• Pain management.
   

Courses
I offer courses of 6, 12 & 24 Alexander Technique lessons helping clients to improve the way they use their bodies, such as not locking in the joints to get stability and working towards appropriate tone required for fundamental everyday activities.  Individuals are offered an initial consultation and the course is fully tailored to individuals needs throughout.  Some clients might wish to start with the short version of this course, 6 lessons, before deciding to if they wish to continue to complete the 12 lessons.   

(last updated: March 2022)