Help for Joint Hypermobility in the UK

The NHS says you or your child may have joint hypermobility syndrome if you often get tired even after rest, keep getting pain and stiffness in joints or muscles, keep getting sprains and strains, keep dislocating joints, have poor balance or coordination, have thin, stretchy skin, or have bladder or bowel problems. Some people have no symptoms. It usually affects children and young people and often gets better with age. Source: NHS: joint hypermobility syndrome.

See a GP if you think you or your child has it. The NHS says the GP will usually check how flexible your joints are using the Beighton scoring system, and may arrange a blood test or X-ray to rule out other conditions such as arthritis.

The NHS says a GP may refer you for specialist advice, for example to a physiotherapist or occupational therapist, and that these physical therapies can help reduce pain and the risk of dislocations, improve muscle strength and fitness, and improve posture and balance. You can also pay for these services privately.

The NHS also suggests gentle, low-impact exercise such as swimming or cycling (not exercising can make symptoms worse), keeping a healthy weight, supportive shoes, and special insoles (orthotics) if they have been recommended for you. It advises not to overextend your joints just because you can, and to take regular breaks from repetitive activities (pacing).

The NHS page links to the Hypermobility Syndromes Association and Ehlers-Danlos Support UK. Most experts agree joint hypermobility syndrome is part of a spectrum of hypermobility disorders that includes Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, the NHS says.

Physiotherapist and occupational therapist are both protected titles, so check the HCPC register. For children, see also children's motor skills and coordination.

Whoever you choose, check their register and ask about fees, session length and how you will review progress together. See questions to ask a private allied health professional and how much therapy costs. On Therapist Circle, each practitioner's registration is checked when they join, and their profile shows the register and number so you can check it yourself.