Understanding Hypermobility: What Sarasota Residents Should Know
What is Hypermobility?
Hypermobility means your joints move beyond the typical range of motion. While some people are naturally flexible without issues, others experience pain, instability, and systemic symptoms.
Hypermobility exists on a spectrum:
Generalized Joint Hypermobility: Increased movement across multiple joints.
Hypermobility Spectrum Disorder (HSD): Hypermobility with symptoms like pain, clumsiness, or flat feet.
Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS): A group of genetic connective tissue disorders that can affect the entire body, from joints to skin and even the cardiovascular system. Read more about EDS on EDS Society
How is Hypermobility Diagnosed?
Practitioners often use the Beighton Score, which measures flexibility in nine joints. However, this tool doesn’t account for other areas like the shoulders, neck, or jaw.
Diagnosis can be complex:
Some people seek a geneticist or EDS specialist for evaluation.
Others may be diagnosed with HSD if they don’t meet full criteria for EDS.
Cardiologists are usually referred to for checking heart health with an echocardiogram. (BECAUSE soft tissue exists EVERY WHERE.)
Common Symptoms
People with hypermobility may experience:
Joint pain or frequent sprains
Muscle spasms or “guarding”
Clumsiness due to poor proprioception (body awareness)
Fatigue or low energy
Digestive concerns like reflux or bloating
Autonomic issues such as dizziness, temperature sensitivity, or POTS (Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome)
Why It Matters in Sarasota
Sarasota is a hub for active lifestyles—whether it’s yoga on the beach, tennis, or pickleball. For hypermobile individuals, these activities can bring both joy and challenges. Without awareness, repeated joint stress may lead to injuries or flare-ups.
If you live in Sarasota and notice recurring pain, unusual flexibility, or symptoms that don’t quite add up, it might be worth discussing hypermobility with a healthcare professional. Dr. Sandy has a special interest in Hypermobility since she is hypermobile herself, and has worked to diagnose family members of her's. Why is this important?
It changes how you are interacted with by healthcare professionals.
What We Can Do at Well Co Chiropractic in Sarasota
At Well Co Chiropractic, we recognize that hypermobility and Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome are complex, whole-body conditions. Many patients experience not only joint pain and instability but also fatigue, digestive concerns, and even dizziness. That’s why our care focuses on a multidisciplinary, personalized approach:
Movement Guidance & Graded Exposure
Using a traffic-light system, we help patients understand when movement is safe, when to be cautious, and when to stop.
Gentle, consistent exposure to movement can retrain the brain and nervous system to reduce pain sensitivity.
Joint Protection & Stability Training
Core and proximal stability exercises
Isometric strengthening to support hypermobile joints
Proprioceptive training to improve balance and body awareness
Soft Tissue & Manual Therapy
Active Release Technique and gentle myofascial work to manage tension, muscle spasms, or guarding
Chiropractic care tailored to those with connective tissue fragility, avoiding excessive end-range positions, doing limited adjusting or using tools to adjust without rotational forces
Pacing & Pain Management Strategies
Education on avoiding “boom-bust” cycles of overactivity and flare-ups
Modifying exercise so pain returns to baseline within 24 hours
Collaborative Referrals
We coordinate with cardiology, gastroenterology, neurology, and other Sarasota-area specialists (hello, pelvic floor therapy??) as needed, since hypermobility can affect multiple body systems.
Living Actively with Hypermobility in Sarasota
From yoga on Siesta Key Beach to tennis in Lakewood Ranch, Sarasota offers an active lifestyle. For hypermobile individuals, staying engaged in these activities often requires support, awareness, and stability-focused care. Our goal is to keep you moving confidently while reducing the risk of injury.
Ready to get started? Book an appointment today.
