2 min read

Myodetox

Posted on

Hypermobility Explained:
More Than Just Party Tricks?


When does a party trick turn into a pain?
Understanding hypermobility and when it’s time to seek help.


We all have that friend who moves their joints in strange ways. Their classic party tricks include twisting their body into all sorts of shapes like hyper-extended elbows, knees, and thumbs.

These wildly mobile individuals are often labeled double-jointed when in fact, they have hypermobility. But what does that mean? And what, if any, are the risks?



What Is Hypermobility Syndrome?
The main risk of being hypermobile is developing hypermobility syndrome. The syndrome manifests when you have excessive joint mobility combined with debilitating symptoms. There is no issue with having joints that move beyond “normal”. Just ask dancers, yogis, musicians, and gymnasts – many will attest to benefiting from an increased range of motion. But when problems begin to arise, then it becomes a syndrome.

Increased “laxity” in the joints is often associated with other hypermobility disorders such as Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome, Marfan Syndrome, and Rheumatoid Arthritis (this list is not exhaustive). These disorders tend to appear due to genetics, affecting the strength of collagen in our body. When collagen becomes weak, our ligaments and joints become loose and stretch, leading to hypermobility. hypermobility-symptoms



What Are The Risks And Symptoms?
Though being hypermobile in itself is not bad, it becomes a problem if you present:

  • Pain or stiffness at the joint and muscle group.
  • Dislocations and subluxations at the joint.
  • Weakness at the muscle or muscle group.
  • Poor balance and movement coordination.
  • Generalized fatigue e.g. extremely tired throughout the day.
  • Dizziness and fainting.
  • Constant muscle strains and ligament sprains e.g. ankle rolling.
  • Thin and stretchy skin
  • Digestive issues.



    Who Is Most Affected?
    Children and adolescents, specifically females, tend to present with the syndrome more than adults. In fact, hypermobility tends to reduce as we age. It is believed that hormonal changes over time affect collagen strength in the body and reduce hypermobility symptoms.



    What Can You Do About It?
    You can think of hypermobility syndrome as over-indexing on the amount of space a joint can move within. The more range of motion (or “space”) you have at a joint, the more you need to strengthen and stabilize the area to reduce the risk of overuse and injury.

    Compound weight lifting and stability training can significantly improve symptoms. Speaking to a physician and physical therapist will be your main source to help create a plan for managing hypermobility.



    Worried You May Have Hypermobility Syndrome?
    Give us a call! We’ll book you a session with one of our incredible therapists. They’ll assess your movements and set you up on a FutureProof plan.

    Find your nearest clinic

  • 4 min read

    Plantar Fasciitis Stretches To Heal Those Heels

    Posted on

    Plantar Fasciitis Stretches To Heal Those Heels

    Just because you love wearing heels, doesn’t mean you should neglect your heel pain AKA plantar fasciitis pain. We explain four effective plantar fasciitis stretches you need to do. Plantar fasciitis can be such a pain in the heel!

    With so many of you strong women out there working diligently to leave your footprints on this world, we understand that dressing like a boss is just as important as working like one. Unfortunately, in some cases, dressing like a boss can take a toll, especially if you’re wearing heels for the entire day.

    The obvious answer to avoiding that annoying back of heel pain is to just, “stop wearing heels,” but let’s be realistic ladies, that’s not happening. Since you’re wearing them already, you might as well make it as comfortable and as safe as possible.

    The following stretches for plantar fasciitis will help your legs and feet be better prepared to wear heels throughout the day.

    Calf Raises
    ralph
    ralph

    1. Bring your feet together without touching
    2. Raise your heels so you are up on your toes
    Tip: Avoid rolling out on the outside of your feet. Imagine pushing your big toe into the ground to keep your feet even.

    Single Leg Squat
    ralph
    ralph

    1. Raise one of your heels of the ground
    2. Raise that same leg up and behind your body
    3. Slightly bend the knee on the same side of the foot that is on the ground
    4. Hold for 30s then switch sides. Perform 3x/side

    Calf/Achilles Stretch
    ralph
    ralph

    1. Find a solid platform to push against and stagger your feet into a one line stance
    2. Lean into the platform and push away with both a straight leg and a bent leg (as seen here in the picture)
    3. Hold for 10s and switch side. Perform 3x/side

    Toe Muscles Strengthening
    ralph
    ralph
    (Do this bare foot)
    1. Raise your big toe while keeping your other 4 toes planted. Hold for 10s
    2. Drop your big toe and raise your other 4 toes while keeping your big planted. Hold for 10s
    3. Repeat on both feet 3x/foot

    Like any part of the body, our feet need attention as well. By following these plantar fasciitis stretches and exercises, your feet will thank you as you walk down the streets with confidence! Our bodies are like a building, without a solid foundation, it’s eventually going to break down. So start from the ground up!

    The stronger the muscles in our feet, the better it can hold the bones of the feet and ankles in alignment. Thankfully, there are amazing tools out there you can use to help avoid any heel pain so you can put your best foot forward.