Support for Hypermobility -
Are you suffering from problems relating to hypermobility? Read below how Functional Medicine can help support you.
How Can Functional Medicine Help with Hypermobility?
Hypermobility refers to increased movement and flexibility in the joints beyond what’s considered typical. For some, this extra flexibility is harmless—or even helpful in certain sports or physical activities. But for many others, joint hypermobility can lead to pain, fatigue, and widespread symptoms that affect more than just muscles and ligaments.
Hypermobility exists on a spectrum. Some individuals have Benign Joint Hypermobility Syndrome (BJHS) or simply “generalised joint hypermobility” (GJH) with no additional systemic features, while others experience more significant symptoms involving multiple body systems. In some cases, hypermobility is part of a diagnosed genetic condition like Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS). 1
At Embracing Nutrition, we take a functional medicine approach to hypermobility—helping you understand what’s driving your symptoms and supporting your body holistically, from connective tissue health and digestion to nervous system regulation.
What Is Hypermobility?
Hypermobility means your joints move more than average due to increased ligament laxity. This is often caused by differences in connective tissue structure—especially collagen, the protein responsible for tissue strength and elasticity.
While some people experience no discomfort, others develop symptoms like 2 :
- Joint instability or frequent dislocations
- Chronic joint and muscle pain
- Fatigue or low energy
- Poor wound healing and easy bruising
- Digestive symptoms like bloating, constipation, or reflux
- Anxiety, dizziness, or light-headedness
- Varicose veins or vascular fragility
- Organ prolapse or pelvic floor weakness
Many of these symptoms stem from the underlying connective tissue differences that affect how your body moves, heals, and regulates itself.
What Is Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS)?
EDS is a group of genetic connective tissue disorders caused by gene mutation that affect collagen production, processing, or structure. The most common form is hypermobile EDS (hEDS). It doesn’t have a defined genetic marker yet but shares many features with more generalised hypermobility 3. Additional subtypes of EDS can include vascular EDS, classical EDS, and others that carry specific features or risks.
Symptoms vary depending on the type of EDS, but often involve 2:
- Joint hypermobility with a tendency to dislocate
- Chronic joint pain, early arthritis, and extreme fatigue
- Stretchy, fragile skin that bruises easily
- Slow wound healing, varicose veins, and spider veins
- Scoliosis, osteopenia, or frequent fractures
- Digestive dysfunction, including hernias and motility issues
- Heart valve abnormalities and vascular fragility
- Autonomic nervous system symptoms such as POTS
You do not need a confirmed EDS diagnosis to benefit from connective tissue support—many hypermobile individuals experience similar challenges and can gain clarity and relief through a personalised approach.
What Contributes to Hypermobility Symptoms?
Functional medicine helps explore and address the root causes and compounding factors behind joint instability and systemic symptoms:
- Nutrient Malabsorption – Digestive differences, low stomach acid, and motility issues may impair absorption of key nutrients 4
- Digestive Dysfunction & SIBO – Gut motility may be slowed due to connective tissue laxity, increasing the risk of constipation, reflux, hernias, or small intestine bacterial overgrowth (SIBO), which can lead to bloating and digestive discomfort. 5
- Joint Instability – Hypermobility can cause frequent sprains, pain, and premature joint wear and tear. 6
- Low Bone Density – Connective tissue laxity reduces stress on the bones and can predispose those who are hypermobile to bone density issues such as osteopenia and osteoporosis. 6
- Vascular Fragility – Weak collagen may affect blood vessels, leading to easy bruising, heavy periods, and vein issues.
- Mast Cell Activation – Many hypermobile individuals experience histamine sensitivity or MCAS, which can drive joint pain, rashes, and systemic inflammation. Addressing mast cell stability is key for regulating connective tissue and mood. 7
- Autonomic Dysregulation – Hypermobility often overlaps with conditions like POTS, where blood pressure and heart rate fluctuate upon standing. This may lead to dizziness, fatigue, and digestive changes. Supporting adrenal health, hydration, and vagal tone can help. 5
- Disordered Eating & Digestive Reactivity – Restricted eating or food aversions are common, especially when symptoms like reflux, nausea, or histamine reactions are present. This can worsen nutrient depletion and fatigue. Stabilising digestion and restoring food confidence is essential. 8
Conventional Treatment for Hypermobility
Standard medical care typically includes:
- Physiotherapy to improve joint stability
- Pain management for musculoskeletal discomfort
- Cardiology or rheumatology input for systemic symptoms
- Gastroenterology referrals for GI issues
- Symptom-specific medications (antihistamines, pain relief, laxatives)
- Genetic testing and referrals when EDS is suspected
While helpful, many individuals find that conventional care doesn’t fully address their multisystem symptoms—especially when the condition is undiagnosed or falls between diagnostic thresholds.
How Can Functional Medicine Help?
We take a root-cause, whole-person approach to hypermobility that goes beyond symptom suppression. Our plan may include 9:
Personalised Testing
- Micronutrient analysis
- Gut health
- SIBO screening
Tailored Nutrition
Your personalised plan may include:
- Anti-inflammatory, connective tissue-supportive foods
- Histamine-reducing strategies
- Gut-healing nutrients and blood sugar support
- Digestive enzyme and motility support
- Foods to support blood pressure and the vascular system if POTS is present
Lifestyle & Movement Therapy
- Resistance training to build stabilising muscle
- Optimising bone density with weight-bearing movement
- Nervous system regulation through vagal support and breathwork
- Pacing to minimise flare-ups and fatigue
- Cold exposure and circulation protocols
- Sleep and recovery alignment
Targeted Supplementation
Depending on your needs, this may include supplements aimed at supporting:
- Connective tissue
- Bone density
- Histamine balance
- Vascular strength
- Energy production
All recommendations are tailored to your history, sensitivities, and goals.
Together, We’ll Find What Helps
Whether you have diagnosed EDS or experience generalised hypermobility, you deserve comprehensive support that addresses the complexity of your symptoms—not just flexibility. At Embracing Nutrition, we meet you where you are and help you move forward with clarity, compassion, and tools that empower you to feel stronger and more in control. If hypermobility is part of your health picture, we’d love to help you explore your next steps.
Tests we may recommend
References
- Castori M, Tinkle B, Levy H, Grahame R, Malfait F, Hakim A. A framework for the classification of joint hypermobility and related conditions. Am J Med Genet C Semin Med Genet. 2017 Mar;175(1):148-157. doi: 10.1002/ajmg.c.31539. Epub 2017 Feb 1. PMID: 28145606.
- Russek LN, Stott P, Simmonds J. Recognizing and Effectively Managing Hypermobility-Related Conditions. Phys Ther. 2019 Sep 1;99(9):1189-1200. doi: 10.1093/ptj/pzz078. PMID: 31158283.
- Ritelli M, Colombi M. Molecular Genetics and Pathogenesis of Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome and Related Connective Tissue Disorders. Genes (Basel). 2020 May 13;11(5):547. doi: 10.3390/genes11050547. PMID: 32414079; PMCID: PMC7288446.
- Penny HA, Aziz I, Lam C. Mast cell activation and nutritional disorders in patients with hypermobility. Curr Opin Gastroenterol. 2024 May 1;40(3):225-232. doi: 10.1097/MOG.0000000000001008. Epub 2024 Feb 23. PMID: 38393310.
- Tai FWD, Palsson OS, Lam CY, Whitehead WE, Sperber AD, Tornblom H, Simren M, Aziz I. Functional gastrointestinal disorders are increased in joint hypermobility-related disorders with concomitant postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome. Neurogastroenterol Motil. 2020 Dec;32(12):e13975. doi: 10.1111/nmo.13975. Epub 2020 Aug 16. PMID: 32803794.
- DiFrancisco-Donoghue J, Southard V, Margulies M, Jung MK, Allera A, Riley B. Assessment of gastrointestinal function and its’ effect on bone mineral density and body composition in hypermobility spectrum disorder and hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos syndrome. J Clin Densitom. 2022 Oct-Dec;25(4):536-543. doi: 10.1016/j.jocd.2022.07.005. Epub 2022 Jul 28. PMID: 35945116.
- Monaco A, Choi D, Uzun S, Maitland A, Riley B. Association of mast-cell-related conditions with hypermobile syndromes: a review of the literature. Immunol Res. 2022 Aug;70(4):419-431. doi: 10.1007/s12026-022-09280-1. Epub 2022 Apr 21. PMID: 35449490; PMCID: PMC9022617.
- Baeza-Velasco C, Van den Bossche T, Grossin D, Hamonet C. Difficulty eating and significant weight loss in joint hypermobility syndrome/Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, hypermobility type. Eat Weight Disord. 2016 Jun;21(2):175-83. doi: 10.1007/s40519-015-0232-x. Epub 2015 Oct 27. PMID: 26506923.
- Doyle TA, Halverson CME. Use of complementary and alternative medicine by patients with hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome: A qualitative study. Front Med (Lausanne). 2022 Dec 14;9:1056438. doi: 10.3389/fmed.2022.1056438. PMID: 36590929; PMCID: PMC9794619.