Patients with hypermobility/ hyperlaxity

Patients with hypermobility have a stability problem. These patients often have posture defects, (sub-) luxations and complaints such as pain and tiredness.

Stability of the body is a condition for functional and purposeful movement and prevents strain to the joints, capsules and ligaments. Stability is obtained by three factors, -1- the shape of the joint, -2- the presence of intact joint capsule and ligaments, -3- a well-coordinated muscle corset.

Much is demanded from the muscle corset with hypermobility or hyperlaxity since the capsules and ligaments allow too much movement. We often see symptoms of strain in these patients, especially during or after staying in one position for a long time (i.e. standing or sitting). Tendons and ligaments are stretched too much when the muscle corset cannot adequately support the static posture. This applies especially when the posture is such that the shape of the joints is not being used optimally. Movement and sports often cause symptoms of tiredness, strain and pain.

A number of examples of complaints related to hypermobility:

• Various degrees of back problems caused by posture defects/ weak or sagging posture. The muscle corset cannot maintain the same posture (at work, for instance) long enough, the structures that should maintain the trunk stability become overstrained. “Locking” the lower back (hyperextension) can also occur; this unintentionally uses the shape of the vertebra to relieve the muscle corset. Patients then often complain about local back ache with stabbing pains sometimes occurring.
• Sitting “slumped” with the lower back rounded (in other words, not sitting on the seat bones / Tubera of the Os Ischiï). This puts strain on the ligaments involved, especially the Sacroiliac joints, resulting in stabbing, nagging ligament pain. Many patients report the same complaints when lying on their backs if there is insufficient support of lower back and pelvis, for instance with a mattress that is too soft.
• Standing with overextended knees with the joints locked as it were and the thigh muscle not stretched enough to support the joints. Patients often have knee complaints at the front and around the knee cap, especially if they have to stand a lot at work.
• Tired feet after standing or walking from flat feet.
• Twisted ankles from “stumbling” during daily movement and more frequently as a result of a sporting trauma.
• Shoulder (sub) luxations during daily movement and more frequently as a result of a sporting trauma.

A well-coordinated muscle corset is therefore essential to reduce and/or prevent complaints.

This improves the posture and relieves the joints. In practice it appears that people with hypermobility complaints benefit greatly from the Bugnet Method.

See patient experiences: (navigation-pane, left side on the home page), for example:

- Experience of patient with HSD/EDS

- Experience of mother of patient with HSD/ EDS

G.H. Lenselink - Kamphuis, Nov 2011