Signs and Symptoms You Didn’t Know Were Hypermobility 
When most people think of hypermobility, they picture extreme flexibility—someone who can bend their thumb back to their wrist or do the splits effortlessly. But hypermobility affects far more than just your range of motion.
Many people live with unexplained symptoms for years, never realizing they’re all connected to hypermobility. Chronic fatigue, digestive issues, anxiety, and frequent injuries might seem unrelated, but they could all stem from the same underlying condition.
At MYo Lab Health & Wellness in Calgary, we can help identify hypermobility, and treat the musculoskeletal aspects of hypermobility. What signs have you missed?
Beyond “Being Bendy”: The Hidden Signs and Symptoms
1. Chronic Fatigue and Low Energy
Why it happens: Your muscles work constantly to stabilize joints that your ligaments can’t properly support. This ongoing effort drains your energy reserves.
What you might experience:
– Feeling exhausted after minimal activity
– Needing more recovery time than others
– “Hitting a wall” during exercise
– Feeling tired even after adequate sleep
– Difficulty building stamina
2. Frequent Clumsiness and Poor Coordination
Why it happens: Hypermobility often comes with reduced proprioception—your brain’s ability to sense where your body is in space.
What you might experience:
– Bumping into doorframes and furniture
– Tripping over “nothing”
– Dropping things frequently
– Difficulty with balance activities
– Being called “clumsy” your whole life
– Poor handwriting or grip strength
3. Digestive Issues
Why it happens: Connective tissue affects your entire body, including your digestive tract. Hypermobile connective tissue can lead to slower gut motility.
What you might experience:
– Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
– Chronic constipation or diarrhea
– Bloating and abdominal discomfort
– Acid reflux or GERD
– Slow digestion
– Food sensitivities
4. Anxiety and Nervous System Dysregulation
Why it happens: There’s a strong connection between hypermobility and autonomic nervous system dysfunction, affecting your body’s stress response.
What you might experience:
– Generalized anxiety or panic attacks
– Difficulty regulating emotions
– Heightened stress response
– Racing heart or palpitations
– Feeling “on edge” frequently
– Difficulty with stress management
5. Temperature Regulation Problems
Why it happens: Autonomic dysfunction associated with hypermobility can affect your body’s ability to regulate temperature.
What you might experience:
– Feeling cold when others are comfortable
– Excessive sweating
– Cold hands and feet
– Difficulty adapting to temperature changes
– Heat intolerance
6. Chronic Pain (Not Just in Joints)
Why it happens: Unstable joints create compensatory movement patterns, leading to muscle tension and pain throughout the body.
What you might experience:
– Widespread muscle aches
– Tension headaches or migraines
– TMJ (jaw) pain
– Neck and shoulder tension
– Pain that moves around your body
– Fibromyalgia-like symptoms
7. Easy Bruising and Slow Healing
Why it happens: The same connective tissue issues that affect your joints also affect your blood vessels and skin.
What you might experience:
– Bruising from minor bumps
– Wounds that take longer to heal
– Thin or stretchy skin
– Visible veins
– Scars that stretch or widen
8. Dizziness and Lightheadedness
Why it happens: Hypermobility is often associated with Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS) and blood pooling issues.
What you might experience:
– Dizziness when standing up quickly
– Feeling faint or lightheaded
– Racing heart upon standing
– Needing to sit down frequently
– Brain fog or difficulty concentrating
9. Sleep Disturbances
Why it happens: Pain, nervous system dysregulation, and difficulty finding comfortable positions all interfere with sleep quality.
What you might experience:
– Trouble falling or staying asleep
– Waking up in pain
– Needing multiple pillows for support
– Never feeling rested
– Restless legs
– Frequent position changes during sleep
10. Dental and Jaw Issues
Why it happens: The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) can be hypermobile too, and dental structures are affected by connective tissue quality.
What you might experience:
– TMJ dysfunction or clicking jaw
– Teeth grinding (bruxism)
– Dental crowding
– Gum recession
– Jaw pain or tension
– Difficulty chewing
11. Bladder Issues
Why it happens: Pelvic floor muscles and connective tissue can be affected by hypermobility.
What you might experience:
– Frequent urination
– Urgency
– Stress incontinence
– Pelvic floor dysfunction
– Bladder pain
12. Sensory Sensitivities
Why it happens: Nervous system dysregulation can heighten sensory processing.
What you might experience:
– Sensitivity to light, sound, or touch
– Discomfort with certain textures or clothing
– Easily overwhelmed in busy environments
– Strong reactions to smells
– Difficulty filtering sensory input
The Connection: Why These Signs and Symptoms Cluster Together
These seemingly unrelated symptoms often occur together because hypermobility is a systemic condition—it affects connective tissue throughout your entire body, not just your joints.
When you have hypermobility:
– Your autonomic nervous system may not function optimally
– Your muscles constantly overwork to compensate
– Your body expends more energy on basic stability
– Your proprioception and body awareness are reduced
– Your entire system is under chronic stress
When to Seek Help
If you experience several of these symptoms along with joint hypermobility, it’s worth getting assessed by a healthcare provider with training in hypermobility conditions.
Red Flags That Warrant Assessment:
- Multiple unexplained symptoms affecting quality of life
- Chronic pain despite trying various treatments
- Frequent injuries or joint instability
- Fatigue that limits daily activities
- Signs and Symptoms that worsen with activity
- Family history of hypermobility or connective tissue disorders
How MYo Lab Can Help
At MYo Lab Health & Wellness, we understand that hypermobility is more than just flexible joints. We take a comprehensive approach that addresses the musculoskeletal aspects of hypermobility, while understanding that your condition may be affecting every part of your life.
Our Approach:
Thorough Assessment: We evaluate not just your joints, but your movement patterns, strength, proprioception, and symptom history.
Customized Treatment Plans: We create programs that address your specific musculoskeletal symptoms, focusing on stability, strength, and movement patterns.
Education and Empowerment: We teach you how to protect your joints, manage symptoms, and move safely in daily life.
Collaborative Care: We work alongside massage therapists and trainers to provide comprehensive support. We encourage medical evaluation for non-musculoskeletal concerns, as many of your symptoms may be out of the scope of practice of manual therapists like chiropractors.
Evidence-Based Techniques: We use proven methods including targeted strengthening, movement retraining, and manual therapy.
You’re Not Imagining It
If you’ve been told your symptoms are “all in your head” or you’ve struggled to find answers, hypermobility might be the missing piece of the puzzle. Many people feel validated and relieved when they finally understand the connection between their various symptoms.
Ready for Answers?
If these symptoms sound familiar and you suspect hypermobility might be the underlying cause, our team at MYo Lab Health & Wellness can help with the hypermobility assessment and management of the musculoskeletal components of your symptoms.
Book your comprehensive assessment: – Call: (403) 930-8686 – Email: info@myolab.ca – Visit: 227 10 St NW, Suite 300, Calgary, AB
Located just 5 minutes from Sunnyside C-Train station with complimentary parking available.
Written & fact-checked by Dr. Chantelle Green.
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