Pain in Hypermobility

Hypermobility describes joints that move beyond the normal range of motion. While some individuals experience no symptoms, others may develop persistent pain, joint instability, fatigue, recurrent injuries, reduced physical function, and difficulties participating in everyday activities. Pain may occur in association with hypermobility spectrum disorders (HSD), hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (hEDS), and other connective tissue disorders.

Pain associated with hypermobility is often complex and can arise from a combination of joint instability, altered movement patterns, muscle fatigue, recurrent tissue irritation, nervous system sensitisation, autonomic dysfunction, sleep disturbance, and reduced physical conditioning. As a result, pain may affect multiple areas of the body and significantly impact quality of life.

Unfortunately, individuals living with hypermobility frequently experience delays in diagnosis and may receive conflicting advice regarding exercise, activity, and pain management. Many are told to simply strengthen their muscles or exercise more, yet traditional exercise approaches are not always appropriate and may inadvertently aggravate symptoms when they fail to account for joint instability, fatigue, nervous system sensitivity, recovery capacity, and the unique challenges associated with hypermobility.

At Neurovia, we understand that successful management of hypermobility-related pain requires more than simply strengthening muscles. Effective rehabilitation involves careful assessment, targeted exercise prescription, movement retraining, load management, pacing strategies, and an understanding of how the nervous system, connective tissues, and musculoskeletal system interact.

Our approach focuses on improving joint stability, physical function, strength, endurance, movement confidence, and quality of life while minimising symptom flare-ups and supporting long-term self-management. Treatment may include pain education, exercise therapy, movement retraining, pacing strategies, fatigue management, activity modification, and support to develop

sustainable exercise and rehabilitation programs.

We commonly assist individuals experiencing:

• Hypermobility spectrum disorders (HSD)

• Hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (hEDS)

• Widespread pain

• Joint instability and recurrent injuries

• Fatigue and reduced exercise tolerance

• Persistent musculoskeletal pain

• Headaches and migraine

• Autonomic dysfunction-related functional limitations

• Complex and chronic pain conditions

  
  

Our goal is to help individuals better understand their condition, build resilience and physical capacity, improve function, and participate more confidently in the activities that matter most through compassionate, evidence-based care.