Do You Have Joint Hypermobility?
What is Joint Hypermobility?
Have you ever been told you're "double-jointed" or have very flexible joints? This condition is known as joint hypermobility and affects about 10-15% of the general population.
Joint hypermobility refers to the ability some people have to move their joints beyond the normal range of motion. Why it may seem harmless, it can lead to various issues such as joint pain, dislocations, and joint instability.
Do You Have Joint Hypermobility?
Your Osteopath can perform tests to confirm whether you have joint mobility. For example, you might be able to bend your little finger back beyond 90 degrees or touch your palms to the floor without bending your knees. Scoring high on the Beighton Scale may indicate joint hypermobility.
What Does It Mean?
While having hypermobile joints can have it advantages in activities like dance or gymnastics, it can also lead to joint pain, fatigue, and increased risk of injury. Individuals with joint hypermobility may experience frequent joint dislocations, soft tissue injuries, and chronic pain. These individuals may also be at a higher risk for developing conditions like osteoarthritis, fibromyalgia, and temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorder.
How Can Osteopathy Help?
Osteopathy is a holistic approach to healthcare that focuses on all aspects of the body and how those systems interact with each other. Osteopaths use hands-on techniques can help manage the symptoms associated with joint hypermobility.
Osteopathic treatment for joint hypermobility aims to improve joint stability and strengthening supporting muscles, which in turn will help reduce the amount of reduce pain and tension built up from overworked muscles, reduce the amount of dislocation and sprains, enhance overall function and alleviate pain. Through tailored treatment plans and preventative treatment, Osteopaths work to improve the quality of life for those with joint hypermobility.
Conclusion
If you suspect you have joint hypermobility and are experiencing any related symptoms, it's important to seek professional medical advice and find the root cause of your symptoms. You don’t have to live with constant discomfort from joint hypermobility, and Osteopathy can be a valuable complementary therapy for managing the symptoms, alongside lifestyle adjustments to improve your overall wellbeing and quality of life.
