Hypermobiliy: HSD/hEDS Osteopath in Earlsfield & Wandsworth SW18

Osteopathy, rehabilitation and movement-based care for Hypermobility Spectrum Disorders (HSD) and hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (hEDS)

At Back to Back Osteopaths, we regularly work with people experiencing pain, instability, fatigue and movement difficulties associated with hypermobility spectrum disorders (HSD) and hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (hEDS).

Many people with hypermobility have spent years trying to understand why they experience recurring injuries, persistent pain, joint instability, muscle tension or unusual fatigue. Symptoms are often misunderstood or dismissed, particularly when scans or tests appear relatively normal.

Our approach focuses on understanding how the body moves as a whole, helping patients improve movement quality, strength, stability and confidence over time.

What is hypermobility?

Joint hypermobility simply means that some joints move beyond the normal expected range.

For some people this causes no problems at all. For others, increased flexibility may be associated with pain, instability, recurrent injuries, fatigue or wider systemic symptoms.

When hypermobility becomes associated with ongoing symptoms, this may fall under the umbrella of:

Hypermobility Spectrum Disorders (HSD)
Hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (hEDS)

These conditions can affect people very differently. Some individuals remain highly active, while others may struggle with persistent pain, fatigue or repeated injury cycles.

Common symptoms associated with HSD & hEDS

People with hypermobility-related conditions may experience:

Persistent or widespread joint pain
Frequent sprains or recurrent injuries
Joint instability or feelings of “giving way”
Neck and back pain
Headaches
Muscle tension and fatigue
Recurrent tendon problems
Poor exercise tolerance
Clumsiness or coordination difficulties
Rib pain or instability
Jaw pain (TMJ dysfunction)
Dizziness or autonomic symptoms
Increased sensitivity to physical load or stress

Symptoms often fluctuate over time and may worsen during periods of stress, fatigue, illness or increased activity.

Why does hypermobility sometimes become painful?

Although flexibility itself is not necessarily a problem, some people develop compensatory movement patterns, muscle overactivity or instability strategies over time.

In some cases, the body works harder to create stability around more mobile joints. This can contribute to:

Muscle fatigue
Protective tension
Overloading of certain tissues
Recurrent pain cycles
Reduced movement confidence

People with hypermobility are often told they are “too loose”, but in reality many patients also develop areas of stiffness, guarding and reduced movement control.

Understanding how the whole body adapts and compensates is often an important part of long-term management.

How osteopathy may help

At Back to Back Osteopaths, treatment is tailored carefully to the individual.

Management may include:

Hands-on osteopathic treatment
Advice around pacing and load management
Movement assessment
Rehabilitation exercises
Stability and strength work
Breathing and rib mechanics
Balance and coordination training
Education around flare-ups and recovery
Guidance around returning to activity or sport

Treatment is usually aimed at improving resilience, movement confidence and physical capacity over time rather than simply “correcting posture” or repeatedly treating isolated symptoms.

A rehabilitation and movement-focused approach

James Dodd has a particular clinical interest in hypermobility-related conditions and movement rehabilitation.

His approach combines osteopathy with biomechanics, exercise rehabilitation and functional movement assessment to help patients better understand how their body adapts to movement and load.

James is a Fellow of Applied Functional Science (FAFS) and completed advanced mentorship training with the Gray Institute in the USA.

Many patients seek help after years of recurring pain patterns, repeated injuries or difficulty progressing with exercise despite previous treatment.

Exercise, strength and hypermobility

Many people with hypermobility benefit from appropriately graded strength and conditioning.

Historically, patients were sometimes advised to avoid exercise altogether. Current understanding suggests that carefully progressed movement and strength work can often help improve:

Stability
Confidence
Tissue resilience
Physical capacity
Function in everyday life

The challenge is usually finding the correct level, pace and type of loading for the individual.

This often requires a gradual and adaptable approach.

When should you seek help?

You may benefit from assessment if you experience:

Repeated injuries or sprains
Persistent unexplained joint pain
Ongoing neck or back pain
Frequent flare-ups with activity
Instability or poor movement confidence
Difficulty tolerating exercise
Longstanding movement-related symptoms
A known diagnosis of HSD or hEDS

Osteopathy for hypermobility in Earlsfield & Wandsworth SW18

Back to Back Osteopaths has been helping patients in Earlsfield, Wandsworth and South West London since 2001.

We aim to provide thoughtful, evidence-informed care that combines hands-on treatment with rehabilitation, movement advice and practical long-term management strategies.

References

Castori M, et al. Hypermobility spectrum disorders (a.k.a. joint hypermobility syndrome) and hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos syndrome. Best Practice & Research Clinical Rheumatology. 2017.
Malek S, et al. The Beighton Score as a measure of generalised joint hypermobility. Rheumatology International. 2021.
Engelbert RHH, et al. The evidence-based rationale for physical therapy treatment of children, adolescents, and adults diagnosed with joint hypermobility syndrome/hypermobile Ehlers Danlos Syndrome. American Journal of Medical Genetics. 2017.
Palmer S, et al. Managing people with hypermobility-related disorders in musculoskeletal practice. Journal of Orthopaedic & Sports Physical Therapy. 2023.
The Ehlers-Danlos Society. Understanding Hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome and Hypermobility Spectrum Disorders.

This page is for general information and does not replace individual medical advice.