For many, being “double-jointed” or more mobile might sound like an advantage, but living with symptomatic hypermobility can be exhausting. Daily activities such as walking, typing, or lifting may cause joint pain or feelings of instability. Some people struggle with fatigue, dizziness, or digestive issues.
Around 1 in 500 people are formally diagnosed with hypermobility-related conditions, though experts believe many go undiagnosed because symptoms are often mistaken for other issues1. Women and younger people are affected more often.
The good news: most people can live active, fulfilling lives by learning how to protect their joints, build strength, and manage symptoms over time.
What are the symptoms of hypermobility?
- Achy or stiff joints, especially after activity or long sitting
- Joints that easily bend, sprain, or partially dislocate
- Muscle fatigue or feelings of weakness
- Poor balance or body awareness (proprioception)
- Chronic widespread pain or tenderness
- Trouble with sleep or exercise due to pain or fatigue
- Dizziness, palpitations, or lightheadedness when standing
- Digestive discomfort such as bloating or constipation
- Anxiety or low mood related to chronic symptoms
Did you know?
Most people with hypermobility can avoid surgery and manage their symptoms through active rehabilitation. Research shows that strengthening and proprioceptive training where you feel your position and movement in space without using vision can improve both joint stability and confidence4. And because hypermobility often affects multiple joints, addressing whole-body conditioning—not just one painful area—leads to better outcomes.
What causes hypermobility?
Hypermobility happens when the body’s connective tissue stretches more than usual, making joints looser. Genetics play a role here as some families naturally have more flexible joints. In conditions such as hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (hEDS), the connective tissue difference is more pronounced, affecting joints, skin, and sometimes blood vessels.
Other factors can worsen symptoms or lead to injury, including:
- Muscle weakness or poor joint control
- Repeated sprains or dislocations
- Prolonged inactivity or deconditioning
- Female sex and younger age (joint laxity tends to decline with age)
These factors interact, meaning that both biology and lifestyle affect how hypermobility feels day to day2 3.
When should I see a doctor?
You should talk to a clinician if you notice:
- Frequent joint pain, swelling, or injuries
- Joints that dislocate repeatedly or feel unstable
- Severe fatigue, dizziness, or heart-racing with standing
- Digestive issues or unexplained abdominal pain
- New numbness, weakness, or bladder/bowel changes
Seek a doctor right away if you notice:
- Sudden severe chest, back, or abdominal pain
- Easy bruising, or a family history of vascular Ehlers-Danlos syndrome
How is hypermobility treated?
Most people improve through active, long-term management rather than surgery. Treatment focuses on strengthening, education, and pacing.
Typical components include:
- Education and activity planning: learning to avoid extreme end-range positions and to pace activity
- Exercise-based rehabilitation: building strength, balance, and control to stabilize joints4
- Medications: short-term pain relief (like NSAID anti-inflammatory drugs, acetaminophen); or more specific nerve-pain medicines for persistent or nerve pain if needed
- Bracing or taping: short-term support for unstable joints
- Injections: only for clearly inflamed or injured areas
- Surgery: reserved for structural problems that don’t improve with rehab
Recovery varies, but most people see improvement over several months of consistent exercise. Long-term maintenance helps prevent flares or injuries4 5.
Sword's approach
Sword Health helps people manage pain and movement issues with expert-guided AI care you can use from home. Our model combines clinical support with modern technology, designed to work around your life.
Sword makes recovery easier and more accessible. You get high-quality care at home, guided by clinicians and supported by smart technology.
- Care that adapts to your progress in real time
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Clinical insight
