Could Hypermobility Be Causing Your Joint Pain and Instability?

If your joints feel loose, unstable or move further than they should, hypermobility might be the cause of your pain. Hypermobility means your joints have a greater range of motion than is typical. While some flexibility is healthy, excessive movement can lead to joint instability, recurring injuries, muscle strain and chronic pain. Understanding whether hypermobility is affecting you is an important first step towards effective management.

What Is Hypermobility?

Hypermobility describes joints that move beyond their normal, healthy range of motion. Your joints are held in place by ligaments, tendons and muscles that work together to provide stability and support movement. When these structures are more flexible than usual—either because of genetic factors, connective tissue differences, or muscle weakness—your joints can move too far. This excessive movement can cause pain, swelling, fatigue and a feeling of instability or ‘giving way’.

Hypermobility exists on a spectrum. Some people have generalised hypermobility affecting many joints, whilst others experience it in specific areas such as the shoulders, knees, ankles or jaw.

Common Signs of Hypermobility

You may have hypermobility if you notice:

• Joints that feel loose, unstable or like they might ‘slip out’
• Recurring pain in multiple joints or in one area that keeps returning
• Swelling or stiffness, especially after activity
• Muscle fatigue or aching that seems disproportionate to the activity you’ve done
• A history of sprains or injuries that seem to happen easily
• Clicking, popping or grinding sensations in your joints
• Difficulty with posture or coordination

Pain from hypermobility often develops gradually and may worsen with repetitive movements or prolonged activity.

Why Does Hypermobility Cause Pain?

When joints move beyond their normal range, the surrounding muscles must work harder to stabilise them. Over time, this extra effort causes muscle fatigue, tension and pain. The ligaments and joint structures themselves can also become irritated or inflamed. Additionally, hypermobile joints may not move smoothly through their full range, leading to uneven wear and recurring strain injuries.

Pain patterns vary. Some people experience sharp, acute pain during or after activity; others develop chronic, dull aching. The location and intensity depend on which joints are affected and how much instability is present.

When Should You Seek Professional Assessment?

Consider speaking with a healthcare professional if:

• You have persistent joint pain that doesn’t improve with rest or over-the-counter pain relief
• Your joints feel unstable or you’re worried about recurring injuries
• Pain is affecting your daily activities, work or quality of life
• You’ve had multiple sprains or injuries in the same area
• You notice swelling, warmth or significant stiffness

A doctor, physiotherapist, osteopath or other musculoskeletal specialist can assess your joints, take a detailed history and help identify whether hypermobility is the cause of your symptoms. They may also rule out other conditions that can present similarly.

Management and Support

If hypermobility is identified, several approaches can help:

• Targeted strengthening exercises: Building muscle around hypermobile joints provides stability and reduces pain. A physiotherapist can design a programme tailored to your needs.
• Posture and movement awareness: Learning how to move and position your body correctly reduces unnecessary strain on unstable joints.
• Activity modification: Adjusting how you perform daily tasks and choosing lower-impact activities can prevent flare-ups.
• Manual therapy: Osteopathic or physiotherapy treatment can address muscle tension, improve movement patterns and support joint stability.
• Pacing and rest: Balancing activity with adequate recovery helps prevent overuse injuries.

Management is often most effective when it combines professional guidance with your own commitment to gradual, consistent strengthening and movement awareness.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is hypermobility the same as being double-jointed?

Hypermobility and being ‘double-jointed’ refer to similar things—joints that move beyond the typical range. However, ‘double-jointed’ is an informal term, whilst hypermobility is the medical description. Not everyone with hypermobility experiences pain; some people are naturally flexible without symptoms. Pain develops when the extra movement causes instability or muscle strain.

Can hypermobility improve or be cured?

Hypermobility itself—the structural flexibility of your joints—is usually a long-term feature. However, the pain and instability it causes can improve significantly with appropriate management. Strengthening muscles, improving movement patterns and pacing activities correctly help most people manage symptoms effectively and return to activities they enjoy.

Next Step

If you’re experiencing joint pain, instability or recurring injuries and suspect hypermobility might be involved, speaking with a healthcare professional is a sensible next step. They can assess your joints, discuss your symptoms and help you understand what’s happening. A personalised management plan—often combining strengthening, movement education and manual therapy—can make a real difference to how you feel and function.

If you’d like to explore this further with a doctor who has specialist experience in hypermobility and joint pain, view Dr Mathilde Konczynski’s MeditSimple profile to find out more about her approach and how she can help.