Can you be hypermobile and not flexible?
Hypermobility often masquerades as flexibility. A hypermobile individual can often perform stretching activities with apparent ease. However, on examination, their muscles will be very tight.
Can you be flexible and stiff?
It might seem like a contradiction, that people who are very flexible also end up with very tight muscles that can cause pain and problems in their movement patterns, but unfortunately the two go hand in hand.
What are 7 signs you have hypermobility?
Patients with EDS, especially those with EDS hypermobility type, are often misdiagnosed with conditions such as fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, or depression, given the overlap of symptoms and the psychosocial impact they have on the patient.
What can be mistaken for hypermobility?
The joint will end up constantly 'searching' for feedback to give it the stability it so needs and craves. This often leads to very tight (hypertonic) muscles and creates a feeling of stiffness for the person. This can potentially lead to chronic (long-term) pain.
Why do hypermobile people feel tight?
The connective tissues of hypermobile people are weaker compared with non-hypermobile individuals and therefore their muscle needs to be twice as strong to stabilise their joints and to be able to function normally, otherwise they would use twice as much energy on simple tasks, which will lead to fatigue and pain.
Are hypermobile people weaker?
Muscle stiffness most commonly arises after the overuse of skeletal muscles, which tends to happen after a long period of minimal motion (e.g., after extended bed rest) or after engaging in new exercises. These actions can cause temporary damage to the muscle cells, leading to stiffness.
Why am I so stiff and not flexible?
Pandiculation is the involuntary stretching of the soft tissues, which occurs in most animal species and is associated with transitions between cyclic biological behaviors, especially the sleep-wake rhythm (Walusinski, 2006).
What is Pandiculation?
What we don't realize is that just as you focus on building cardio or muscle strength, flexibility is something that should receive a dedicated time slot within your daily or weekly workout schedule. It's never too late to become flexible, but it does get more difficult with age.
Is 30 too old to get flexible?
Pale, translucent, velvety skin
This isn't necessarily a bad thing, though. Many people with JH revel at not having to moisturize their skin regularly. Plus, JH can make you look younger than you are, which can only be a good thing. Hypermobile people have to deal with a lot of skin-related issues.
Do hypermobile people look younger?
ADHD is also associated with GJH: One study reported generalized hypermobility in 32% of 54 patients with ADHD, compared to 14% of a comparison group (22). Another study reported the prevalence of GJH to be 74% in 86 children with ADHD, compared to 13% of a comparison group (23).
Is hypermobility part of ADHD?
Some estimates suggest that around one in every five people in the UK may have hypermobile joints. In many cases, the joints become stiffer with age, although joint hypermobility and its associated symptoms can continue into adult life.
Is hypermobility life long?
Many people are double-jointed or have very flexible joints. But when you have very flexible joints along with pain and other symptoms, it may be joint hypermobility syndrome. Joint hypermobility syndrome is diagnosed through a physical exam as well as a test or questionnaire on your flexibility.
How do I know if I'm hypermobile?
Hypermobile EDS is a genetic condition, but the cause of this condition isn't clear. If you have hypermobile EDS, common signs include unusual joint flexibility and slightly stretchy skin. The reason for this is because EDS is the result of defects in the type of collagen your body produces.
Am I hypermobile or do I have EDS?
Joint hypermobility, for example, is relatively common, affecting around 1 in 30 people. It's unlikely to be caused by EDS if you do not have any other symptoms. The GP may refer you to a joint specialist (rheumatologist) if you have problems with your joints and they suspect EDS.
Is hypermobility rare?
Muscle stiffness and tightness caused by the extra work muscles have to do to try and keep a hypermobile person's joints stable. Pain all over - patients often state ' I just hurt'. Fibromyalgia. Complex Regional Pain Syndrome, (a type of very severe localised pain), is a co-morbidity of patients with EDS-H / JHS.
Can EDS make you stiff?
In this phase, patients experience worsening musculoskeletal pain, paresthesias, and gastrointestinal disorders. The 'stiffness phase' is characterised by pain and reduction of joint mobility to a debilitating degree. hEDS is also multisystemic in nature.
What is the stiffness phase of hEDS?
A common question I hear from my patients and clients who have been diagnosed with Ehlers Danlos Syndrome (EDS) or Hypermobility Spectrum Disorder (HSD) is, “If my joints are so loose, why do I feel so tight?” A feeling of tightness of the muscles, often resulting in pain and discomfort is very common among those with ...
Can EDS cause muscle stiffness?
Yes, weight training can be beneficial for hypermobility as it helps strengthen muscles and support joint stability, but it should be done carefully and under guidance.
Can people with hypermobility lift weights?
While there is no cure for HSD or hEDS, treatment can ensure your joints are better protected and can lessen the impact of your symptoms. Many people with a hypermobility syndrome can live a full and active life but it is important to follow healthcare professionals' advice.
Can you reverse hypermobility?
Exceptional athletes such as Michael Phelps and Simone Biles have drawn extra attention to the subject of hypermobility in recent years, as their increased flexibility has helped them to perform seemingly superhuman physical feats.
What famous athletes have hypermobility?
The most common cause is muscle stiffness due to exercise or injury. Muscle stiffness can also be caused by underlying conditions such as lupus, Lyme disease, or fibromyalgia. In some cases, muscle stiffness can be treated with at home remedies, but some underlying conditions will require treatment with a doctor.
Why am I so naturally stiff?
“So much of your ability to stretch is about naturally how long your muscles are, how tight your tendons are and how much water you have in the fibrous parts of your body. That's all genetic. We can improve that to some extent, but your body has natural limitations,” she explains. Bone structure also plays a part.
Why are some people naturally stiff?
Stiff person syndrome is a rare autoimmune neurological disorder that most commonly causes muscle stiffness and painful spasms that come and go and can worsen over time. However, some people experience other symptoms such as an unsteady gait, double vision or slurred speech.
What is stiff person syndrome?
Humans, along with all vertebrate animals, tend to automatically pandiculate when we wake up or when we've been sedentary for a while. If you've ever seen a dog or cat arch their back when they get up from a nap, or watched a baby stretch their arms and legs as they wake up, you've witnessed the pandicular response.
Can humans Pandiculate?
Through gentle stretching and isolated strengthening exercises, Somatic Stretch® gives the body the time it needs, and the opportunity, to release tensions and undo wrongful patterns of use; muscles begin to lengthen and joints to loosen, while underlying support muscles gradually strengthen.
What is somatic stretching?
Somatic therapies, which focus on the mind-body connection, often include somatic exercises—specific movements to release physical tension and improve overall well-being. Somatic exercises are widely accessible, requiring no equipment or specific physical skills.
Is a somatic workout real?
Some exercises can help a person become more flexible, such as yoga, pilates, and stretching exercises. These types of movements can also help with balance and muscle strength.
Can non flexible people become flexible?
Maintaining that range is easier than building it up again. At What Age Does Flexibility Peak? While everybody is different, 25 is typically the peak age for flexibility. From there, it stays the same for most of your 30s.
What age is it easiest to get flexible?
The timeline to improve flexibility varies, with noticeable progress often occurring within a two to three weeks of consistent stretching, up to a few months. Significant improvements may sometimes take several months, depending on individual factors and dedication.
Can you be flexible in 3 months?
People with hypermobile EDS often experience pain from large breasts. Patients with hEDS often have aggravated symptoms of macromastia, or enlarged breasts.
Does EDS affect breasts?
How do you know if you are hypermobile? Hypermobile people are often described as loose, flexible and commonly, double jointed.
What do hypermobile people look like?
Individuals with hypermobility are (up to 16 times) overrepresented among those with panic or anxiety disorders. Hypermobility is also linked to stress-sensitive psychosomatic disorders including irritable bowel syndrome, fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue and is associated with hypersensitivity to nociceptive stimuli.
Are hypermobile people more sensitive?
The number of hypermobile joints was found to mediate the relationship between neurodivergence and symptoms of both dysautonomia and pain. Conclusions: In neurodivergent adults, there is a strong link between the expression of joint hypermobility, dysautonomia, and pain, more so than in the comparison group.
Is hypermobility neurodivergent?
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and generalised joint hypermobility (GJH) share a number of clinical manifestations including proprioceptive impairment, motor difficulties, sensory hypersensitivity, and autonomic dysfunction. Clinical observations suggest that GJH is overrepresented in ASD.
Is hypermobility part of autism?
Hypermobility is a condition that affects many Autistic people. It is characterised by overly flexible joints and muscles that may lead to chronic pain.
Are autistic people hypermobile?
The connective tissues of hypermobile people are weaker compared with non-hypermobile individuals and therefore their muscle needs to be twice as strong to stabilise their joints and to be able to function normally, otherwise they would use twice as much energy on simple tasks, which will lead to fatigue and pain.
Are hypermobile people weaker?
Joint hypermobility syndrome can run in families and it cannot be prevented. Usually, the joints are loose and stretchy because the ligaments that should make them stronger and support them are weak.
Are you born hypermobile?
Hypermobility often masquerades as flexibility. A hypermobile individual can often perform stretching activities with apparent ease. However, on examination, their muscles will be very tight.
Can you be hypermobile but not flexible?
Patients with EDS, especially those with EDS hypermobility type, are often misdiagnosed with conditions such as fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, or depression, given the overlap of symptoms and the psychosocial impact they have on the patient.
What can be mistaken for hypermobility?
The Beighton score is a test that measures joint hypermobility (flexibility). It involves simple maneuvers, such as bending your pinky (little) finger backward to check the joint angle. The Beighton score uses a nine-point scoring system. The higher your score, the more flexible your joints are.
What is the finger test for hypermobility?
One of the biggest signs of joint hypermobility is abnormally flexible joints, including wrists, elbows, ankles, and knees. Additionally, other common signs of hypermobility are: frequent tiredness, poor balance, dizziness, stiff joints, and cracking or popping joints.
Do hypermobile joints crack more?
Pale, translucent, velvety skin
This isn't necessarily a bad thing, though. Many people with JH revel at not having to moisturize their skin regularly. Plus, JH can make you look younger than you are, which can only be a good thing. Hypermobile people have to deal with a lot of skin-related issues.
Do hypermobile people look younger?
If a person has symptomatic joint hypermobility but does not meet the diagnostic criteria for any type of EDS or other condition that can cause similar symptoms, then the hypermobility spectrum disorders (HSD) should be considered. You can read more about HSD here.
Can you be hypermobile but not have EDS?
ADHD is also associated with GJH: One study reported generalized hypermobility in 32% of 54 patients with ADHD, compared to 14% of a comparison group (22). Another study reported the prevalence of GJH to be 74% in 86 children with ADHD, compared to 13% of a comparison group (23).
Is hypermobility linked to ADHD?
These additional symptoms can include frequent dislocation of joints such as jaw, shoulder, or knee cap, chronic fatigue, chronic muscle and bone pain, some heart conditions, elastic skin, bruising easily, and repeated sprains or rolling of the ankles.
What are 7 signs you have hypermobility?
Some estimates suggest that around one in every five people in the UK may have hypermobile joints. In many cases, the joints become stiffer with age, although joint hypermobility and its associated symptoms can continue into adult life.
Is hypermobility life long?
The joint will end up constantly 'searching' for feedback to give it the stability it so needs and craves. This often leads to very tight (hypertonic) muscles and creates a feeling of stiffness for the person. This can potentially lead to chronic (long-term) pain.
Why do hypermobile people have tight muscles?
Many people experience acute muscle stiffness because of: Dehydration and electrolyte imbalances. Delayed-onset muscle soreness (DOMS), muscle pain and temporary inflammation that develops after an intense workout. Insect bites or stings.
Why am I so stiff and inflexible?
Myopathic EDS (mEDS) is a milder subtype of EDS which causes very floppy muscles which may seem very poorly developed at birth but which improve with age.
What is the mildest form of EDS?
EDS can affect people in different ways. For some, the condition is relatively mild, while for others their symptoms can be disabling. The different types of EDS are caused by faults in certain genes that make connective tissue weaker.
Can you have mild EDS?
In this phase, patients experience worsening musculoskeletal pain, paresthesias, and gastrointestinal disorders. The 'stiffness phase' is characterised by pain and reduction of joint mobility to a debilitating degree. hEDS is also multisystemic in nature.
What is the stiffness phase of hEDS?
Many people are double-jointed or have very flexible joints. But when you have very flexible joints along with pain and other symptoms, it may be joint hypermobility syndrome. Joint hypermobility syndrome is diagnosed through a physical exam as well as a test or questionnaire on your flexibility.
How do I know if I'm hypermobile?
Doing gentle stretches (or 'mindful movement' – a form of gentle controlled movements) can also help address the stiffness that can develop. Yoga can be useful too, but find a good teacher and please take care not to overstretch into hyperextended positions.
Is it OK to stretch with hypermobility?
Hypermobility can cause a range of symptoms that often affect many parts of the body. These symptoms can range from mild to severe and can have a great impact on someone's life: pain and stiffness in the joints and muscles – particularly towards the end of the day and after physical activity.
Does hypermobility affect muscles?
Is hypermobility rare?
Does hypermobility mean you are flexible?
Can loose ligaments be tightened?
Does hypermobile mean flexible?
Can you have slight hypermobility?
Hypermobility means your joints can move beyond the normal range of motion. You may also hear the term double-jointed. This means your joints are very flexible. The most commonly affected joints are your elbows, wrists, fingers and knees.
Can you be hypermobile but not have EDS?
Whilst flexibility refers to the ability to lengthen muscles, hypermobility refers to a laxity in a person's ligament or ligaments. A brief overview – A muscle is a tissue that produces movement when it contracts and a ligament connects one bone to another.