Unless very obvious. Hypermobility can be challenging to diagnose and treat. As often times the larger muscle groups are working too hard to stabilize, therefore are tighter, bulkier, stiff and present “strong.” These patients may not necessarily seem hyperflexible like a gymnast right off the bat. So, the first step is making a proper thorough assessment of the joint mechanics, ligaments, strength of large and small muscles individually as well as overall function.
Hypermobility is defined on various levels of severity. From a singular joint to multiple. Or those with a more systemic effect diagnosed in the realm of Ehlers Danlos Syndrome, aka EDS. Which may not only affect joints, but possibly the skin, blood vessels, and organs making it a much more complex diagnosis which needs to be addressed with more precautions. Expert hypermobility Physical Therapy Santa Monica treatments can be found at Beyond Integrative PT.
So how does physical therapy help hypermobility? Treatments address the deep ligament instability. Ligaments connect bone to bone, therefore are found at the joint level. The affected ligaments are mildly or severely over stretched. Think of a rubber band that has been used one too many times. It cannot maintain its original shape or elasticity. When this occurs in ligaments affecting one joint. It may eventually impact the joints above and below requiring even more stabilization, creating a domino effect. Requiring treatment for all areas. When multiple joints or body regions experience such laxity, a whole-body approach is a must in physical therapy treatment protocols.
Hypermobility physical therapy Santa Monica can help those who have such conditions and symptoms. For example, if someone comes in and presents with too much extension range of motion at the elbow joint. Often times, both the shoulder and wrist will also be affected. As various muscles at the elbow also cross the shoulder (bicep and triceps) as well as the wrist (extensor carpi radialis and flexor carpi radialis), just to name a few. Sometimes the wrist and forearm muscles get stiffer trying to tighten and protect the unstable elbow. While the shoulder, an already unstable joint, will need even more strength and stabilization. Balancing the muscles, ligaments and joints at all three regions in the upper extremity is essential for long term elbow recovery.
Stabilization techniques for joints
Stabilization techniques for joints focus on the smaller postural muscles as well as ligaments through weight bearing and proprioceptive exercises. The nervous system must be involved in order to train your ligaments letting your body know “where it is in space.” Through creative and specific isometric stabilization exercises, resistance bands, specific taping and gentle hands on techniques. Hypermobility symptoms can be reduced. Challenging the injured body region using hand eye coordination exercises or utilizing the uninjured extremities is useful and essential. Helping your body adapt, change and react in order to re-learn where it is in space. While also retraining your central and peripheral nervous systems as well as soft tissue structures. This proprioceptive component of rehab is essential for healing hypermobility injuries. Proprioception is considered one of our senses. Along with our vision, hearing, taste, smell and touch. All of which may be incorporated. At Beyond Integrative PT, physical therapy helps hypermobility utilizing these techniques and more.
Improving stability through rehab
Dedication and consistency are key when we wonder how physical therapy helps hypermobility. Most of our activities these days are sedentary. Sitting or standing working at a computer, driving, talking or texting on cell phones, zoom meetings, the list goes on. Activities that seem inactive. When in actuality, are very active especially at the ligament and joint level.
Patients experiencing hypermobility who need the best physical therapy in Santa Monica. Come to Beyond Integrative PT. We understand that hypermobility is complex. Such patients often complain of pain at rest while have lesser pain or improved symptoms with activity. The complete opposite of most injuries. Hypermobility treatments and exercises, require inherent stability, meaning the tiniest of muscles and ligaments need to be “on” all the time to support the bony structure. Requiring endurance, strength, and constant nervous system input. Compared to doing an activity such as walking, running, lifting or any other dynamic activity large or small. All of which require muscles to fire more quickly and rapidly in order to complete a task and movement. Followed by a rest period.
It is important to listen to patients’ symptoms, onset of the current injury, overall medical history and previous injury history. In order to understand the larger picture as well as the current issue at hand. A misdiagnosis can send a patient down the wrong rabbit hole of treatment. And often finding themselves eventually coming to Beyond Integrative PT in Santa Monica to help solve the mystery, get answers and proper treatment.
Custom rehab plans for Hypermobility
Every patient presents differently and has a unique medical history. Which is why custom rehab plans for hypermobility is essential. No two patients are alike. Although they may present similarly, each patient has had their own injury history, present with their biomechanical imbalances based on their activity level, work schedule, dedication to therapy and overall exercise habits. Therefore, treatment and home program must be tailored to the specific patient. Beyond Integrative PT has been known to treat simple and complex patients experiencing an acute hypermobile injury, chronic Ehlers Danlos (EDS), or even more recently, hypermobility in relation to long Covid.
Hypermobility Physical Therapy Santa Monica can assist in your acute and long-term recovery. It is important to start rehab as soon as possible to appropriately slow an injury in its tracts, or prevent a new one from starting.
Here at Beyond Integrative PT. We can provide you with thWhat role does physical therapy play in managing hypermobility? Learn more about how targeted exercises improve joint stability and function.e best physical therapy treatments for all types of hypermobility. As it is one of our many specialties. Call today to learn more or schedule an appointment to discover what we can do for you.
