Support for flexible joints.
Understand joint hypermobility, notice what needs care and choose support that fits you.
Open one section. Choose one useful support.
Some people have flexible joints without problems. Others experience pain, instability or wider symptoms. Your support should reflect how daily life is affected.
What is joint hypermobility? Flexibility, laxity and symptoms are different.
Joint hypermobility means a joint moves beyond the usual range. It can affect a few joints or many joints. Joint laxity refers to looseness of supporting structures; instability means a joint is difficult to control or keep in place.
Some flexibility is a normal variation. Symptoms and function matter more than how far you can bend.
Hypermobility, HSD or hEDS? Tap to see the distinction.
Hypermobility without symptoms: extra movement that does not cause significant problems.
Hypermobility spectrum disorder (HSD): symptomatic hypermobility, after other explanations are considered. It may be generalised, localised, peripheral or historical.
Hypermobile Ehlers–Danlos syndrome (hEDS): a connective tissue disorder diagnosed using clinical criteria. Flexible joints alone do not establish hEDS.
Important: HSD can be as disabling as hEDS. A Beighton score is only part of assessment; it does not cover every joint, and flexibility may change with age or injury.
Symptoms — what else could contribute? Tap a coloured button ↗.
These examples are not a checklist for hEDS. More than one cause may need attention.
Pain, stiffness or clicking Consider symptoms and function.
May relate to hypermobility: muscles may work harder to support joints; recurrent strains can hurt. Clicking alone is often harmless.
Other possibilities: injury, arthritis or another musculoskeletal condition. A hot, swollen joint or persistent new pain needs assessment.
One support: use a comfortable supported position and discuss recurring pain.
Giving way, sprains or slipping joints Instability deserves support.
May relate to hypermobility: a joint may partly slip out of position (subluxation) or fully dislocate.
Other possibilities: a previous ligament injury, muscle weakness or another joint problem.
One support: ask about joint-control training and suitable supports. Do not force a suspected dislocation back into place; seek urgent care.
Fatigue or reduced stamina Look beyond flexibility alone.
May occur alongside: pain, disrupted sleep and the effort of keeping joints stable.
Other possibilities: anaemia, sleep disorders, medication effects or another illness. Delayed worsening after exertion needs consideration of post-exertional malaise.
One support: reduce one demand and discuss persistent fatigue.
Dizziness, racing heart or feeling faint Consider autonomic symptoms.
Possible connection: orthostatic intolerance and POTS can occur with hEDS or HSD.
Other possibilities: dehydration, low blood pressure, anaemia, medication effects, anxiety or a heart rhythm problem.
One support: sit or lie safely. Note links with standing or heat and seek assessment. Symptoms alone do not diagnose POTS.
Reflux, nausea, bloating or bowel changes Digestive symptoms have several causes.
Possible connection: IBS-type symptoms, reflux, constipation and sometimes delayed stomach emptying are reported with hEDS/HSD. Mechanisms are complex; symptoms are not simply proof of stretchy gut tissue.
Other possibilities: food intolerance, medication effects or other digestive disease.
One support: seek advice for persistent symptoms; avoid adding restrictive diets without support.
Skin, feet or pelvic symptoms Mention changes that affect you.
May occur: easy bruising, stretchy skin, flat feet, urinary leakage, hernias or pelvic organ prolapse.
Other possibilities: these also occur without hypermobility. Marked skin fragility or unusual scarring may need assessment for another connective tissue disorder.
One support: ask for targeted advice, such as footwear or pelvic health assessment.
What may help right now? Make one thing easier.
Support: rest the affected area in a comfortable position; cushions or armrests may help.
Reduce strain: pause a repetitive task or ask for help carrying something.
Choose comfort: avoid repeatedly testing how far the joint bends. Follow an existing injury or pain plan.
A joint comfort plan — Coming soonLaxity & Foundational Self-Care Choose one coloured button ↗.
Self-care can support comfort and function. It does not remove the need for assessment or individual treatment.
NIH foundations are general wellbeing tips. Hypermobility advice and “Make it fit” notes are adaptations, not NIH treatment guidance for HSD/hEDS.
Joint control & strength Small, individual steps.
Hypermobility care: a physiotherapist can tailor movement to improve joint control and strength.
NIH foundation: build muscle safely and avoid locking joints.
Make it fit: start at a tolerable level. Do not push to end-range or follow fixed increases when symptoms worsen. With PEM, stay within energy limits.
May also help: pain and confidence with daily tasks; autonomic symptoms may need reclined options.
Rest & pacing Balance support and recovery.
Try: break up repetitive tasks and change position before discomfort escalates.
Make it fit: alternate demands with recovery. A setback is information, not failure; avoid both pushing through and blanket rules to stop all movement.
May also help: fatigue, pain and coping with overload.
Supports & easier tasks Reduce unnecessary effort.
Try: use a wider pen grip, supported workspace or lighter items.
Make it fit: ask an OT or physiotherapist about splints, footwear or mobility aids. Fit, skin comfort and function matter.
May also help: hand pain, sensory comfort and participation.
Sleep & comfortable positions Protect recovery.
NIH foundation: make sleep and a comfortable sleeping environment a priority.
Try: support a sore limb with a cushion and reduce pressure on painful areas.
Make it fit: persistent sleep disruption deserves assessment. Avoid positions that hold joints at their limits.
May also help: pain, mood and sensory coping.
Food, fluids & digestion Nourishment that fits you.
NIH foundation: support balanced nourishment.
Try: make tolerated meals and drinks easier to access.
Make it fit: digestive symptoms may need tailored advice. Extra salt, supplements or restrictive diets are not routine treatments for laxity.
May also help: energy and comfort; follow individual fluid advice if autonomic symptoms are present.
Safe help & enjoyable activity Participation can be adapted.
NIH foundation: ask for support and make room for enjoyment.
Try: adapt one meaningful activity or ask someone to share a demanding task.
Make it fit: use short instructions, predictable steps and sensory adjustments when useful.
May also help: mood, anxiety and neurodivergent support needs.
NIH Physical Wellness Toolkit →
Self-care with hypermobility — Coming soonAssociated conditions & experiences Open only what seems relevant.
Associations vary. None of these is present in everyone, and an association does not establish your diagnosis.
HSD & hEDS Assessment guides the label.
Both can involve joint symptoms and wider difficulties. A clinician considers history, examination and other explanations. Other EDS types and connective tissue conditions require different assessment.
POTS & orthostatic intolerance Autonomic assessment may help.
Symptoms on standing can occur alongside symptomatic hypermobility. POTS involves a sustained rise in heart rate on standing; low blood pressure is a different pattern and is not required for POTS.
POTS & orthostatic intolerance — Coming soonMitral valve prolapse A possible association, not an assumption.
Mitral valve prolapse means part of a heart valve bows backwards. It can occur in hEDS and also independently. When present in hEDS it is often mild, but individual findings determine care.
Palpitations do not prove a valve problem. A clinician decides whether an echocardiogram or cardiology assessment is appropriate.
Mitral valve prolapse & hypermobility — Coming soonNeurodivergence Autism, ADHD & related differences.
Research reports an association between joint hypermobility and some neurodevelopmental conditions, including autism and ADHD. This does not mean one causes the other or that everyone has both.
Clear instructions, sensory adjustments and support for planning can make physical care easier to access.
Hypermobility & neurodivergence — Coming soonGut, pelvic, pain & headache concerns Assess each concern on its own.
IBS, reflux, constipation, urinary leakage, pelvic organ prolapse, recurrent headaches and pain may occur. Each needs its own assessment rather than being automatically attributed to connective tissue.
Wider symptoms with hypermobility — Coming soonConnections with other ALPIMS domains Explore only what fits your experience.
ALPIMS looks at connections without assuming every symptom has one cause.
Anxiety & Autonomic
Pain, uncertainty and autonomic sensations can add to anxiety. Treat physical symptoms and worry according to their needs; neither should be dismissed.
Laxity & Anxiety & Autonomic — Coming soon
Pain & Bodily Sensitivity
Joint strain, recurrent injury and persistent pain may overlap. Migraine or nerve symptoms can need separate care.
Laxity & Pain & Bodily Sensitivity — Coming soon
Immune & Inflammatory
Allergies or inflammatory illness can coexist. Reports of mast-cell symptoms do not establish a shared cause or MCAS diagnosis. Hot, swollen joints may indicate a separate inflammatory problem.
Laxity & Immune & Inflammatory — Coming soon
Mood & Mental Health
Pain, disrupted sleep and reduced participation can affect mood. Emotional support belongs alongside practical and physical care.
Laxity & Mood & Mental Health — Coming soon
Sensory & Neurodevelopmental
Sensory needs, coordination and planning differences can affect how treatment feels and how easily it fits daily life. Adapt communication, routines and equipment.
Laxity & Sensory & Neurodevelopmental — Coming soonTools to make daily life easier One small support is enough.
Task adapter: choose one task. Could you change the grip, position, load, timing or amount of help?
My task adaptations — Coming soonPattern note: record the activity, position, symptom and what helped. Brief notes are enough; do not provoke symptoms to test them.
My joint & symptom patterns — Coming soonSupport plan: write down comfortable positions, useful aids and who to contact after an injury.
My joint support plan — Coming soonAssessment & professional care Care based on your priorities.
Start with the symptom or task that most affects you. A GP can consider other causes and referrals. Physiotherapy and occupational therapy can support joints and daily activities; wider symptoms may need other specialists.
Children need an age-appropriate hypermobility assessment. Not every flexible child has hEDS.
Not sure what I need? A small check-in.
Do I need joint support, less strain, recovery or assessment? More than one answer is allowed.
Body & joint check-in — Coming soonSources & care note Information, not individual treatment.
ALPIMS adaptations are practical suggestions; evidence varies. ALPIMS is not affiliated with or endorsed by NIH.
NHS Inform: Joint hypermobility
GeneReviews: hEDS & associated features
Ehlers–Danlos Society: Physical therapy
Csecs et al.: Hypermobility & neurodivergence
NICE: ME/CFS energy management
About this information & your care
General information: ALPIMS provides education, practical suggestions and resources. It does not provide a diagnosis or replace personalised advice, assessment or treatment from a qualified healthcare professional.
Domains and connections: ALPIMS is a framework for exploring experiences, not a diagnostic test. Having symptoms across several domains does not confirm a condition or a single underlying cause. An association between conditions does not prove that one causes the other.
Make suggestions fit your needs: Benefits, evidence and suitability vary. Consider your health, disability, sensory needs, medicines and available capacity. Seek appropriate advice before changing treatment, using supplements or making substantial dietary or activity changes.
NIH resources: Where NIH Your Healthiest Self resources are referenced, they provide general wellbeing guidance. ALPIMS adaptations are separate suggestions and are not NIH condition-specific treatment recommendations. ALPIMS is not affiliated with or endorsed by NIH.
New or worsening symptoms: Seek medical advice rather than assuming symptoms are explained by an existing diagnosis or an ALPIMS domain. This site is not an emergency service. For a medical emergency or immediate danger in Australia, call 000.