Hypermobility Syndromes: Repair &Heal

The body was made to heal itself. If your body is sore, there is a reason. Whatever the reason, when you support the body at the causative level, tissue heals, pain eases, scar tissue softens, hormones and cytokines regulate.

Healing is a sign of health. Support health, heal.

Often children tend to be super flexible, and noone would think much about it until the teenage years begin and they start getting growing pains, sustaining injuries and complaining of joint, foot, hip and neck pain. Mainstream practitioers might not think much of it either, but if you do wonder what is going, perhaps looking into hyperflexibility disorders is a good idea. Most of my clients go undiagnosed their whole life, suffering injuries and surgeries with no understanding why.

A simple way to start is with a Beightons flexibility score. Normal is 3 or less, 4 -9 out 9 warrants further investigation.

It's not just that they could be more at risk of injuries, but hyperflexiblity disorders tend cause symptoms of Autonomic Dysfunction - symptoms that often get misdiagnosed as raft of symptoms in their own right, when actally all those symptoms, from chronic nausea and dizziness on standing, to anxiety and sleep issues, are downstream from upstream cause, Autonomic disruption. .

Dr Carolyn McMakin taught me to screen for hyperflexibility, I had not been told about it before that. It wasn't in any of the many trainings I'd done before, and I've done a lot!

Now I check for it as part of my intake screening, and I really am shocked at how many of my clients have lived with the undiagnosed laxity in their tissues, an issue that drives a large array of other problems. Its important to know about it, as it can be an upstream driver of a lot of health issues that you don't need to have.

If your child can contort themselves into knots, put their thumb to their wrist on the same side, pop joints out (typically fingers, shoulders or hips), and have been told they have ADD, concentration problems, chronic nausea and host of other issues, then read on.

In adults the flexibility becomes chronic tightness, stiffness, injuries and pain from years of muscle splinting as the body tried to stabilise loose joints. by the time many years of this have passed, there will usually be a history of chronic pain, joint or spinal injuries, surgeries (joint fusions, laminectomies), and chronic gut issues like hernias, GORD, vascular troubles, and prescription of medications like painkillers, antacids, and blood pressure medications over many years.

If this rings any bells, this information might help bring elusive answers to someone in your life.

General Hypermobility/Hyperflexibility

Hypermobility or hyperflexibility refers to the ability of joints to move beyond the normal range of motion. It can be assessed using clinical examinations, the most common of which is the Beighton Score.

The Beighton Score evaluates hypermobility in various joints in the body. A score of 4 or more out of 9 is typically considered hypermobile.

The Beighton Score assesses hypermobility in the following ways:

Passive dorsiflexion of the little fingers beyond 90 degrees.
Passive apposition of the thumbs to the flexor aspects of the forearm.
Hyperextension of the elbows beyond 10 degrees.
Hyperextension of the knees beyond 10 degrees.
Flexibility of the trunk with the palms on the floor, knees straight.

Individuals with hypermobility may experience joint instability, musculoskeletal pain, and an increased risk of joint injuries.

Ehlers-Danlos

Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (EDS) is a group of connective tissue issues that affect the structure and function of the body's connective tissues, which provide support to the skin, bones, blood vessels, and various organs. Connective tissues are made up of proteins like collagen and elastin, and they help maintain the strength, elasticity, and stability of these bodily structures. Like all the other genes in your body, the way your body makes and repairs these tissues is influenced by what you eat, drink, take and do.

Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (EDS) is a group of 13 heritable connective tissue disorders caused by genetic changes that affect connective tissue.

Symptoms may include:

Joint hypermobility: Individuals with EDS often have joints that can bend or move beyond the normal range of motion, which can lead to joint pain, dislocations, and chronic joint problems.
Skin hyperextensibility: People with EDS may have overly elastic, fragile skin that can easily bruise, tear, or develop scars.
Easy bruising: EDS can cause a tendency to bruise easily due to fragile blood vessels.
Chronic pain: Individuals with EDS may experience chronic pain, often related to joint and muscle problems.
Organ and blood vessel complications: Some forms of EDS can affect the blood vessels and internal organs, leading to potentially life-threatening complications.
Poor wound healing: Wounds in individuals with EDS may take longer to heal and can leave prominent scars.

EDS is typically diagnosed through clinical evaluation, family history assessment, and genetic testing. Treatment for EDS is focused on managing symptoms and may include physical therapy, pain management, and lifestyle modifications to prevent injuries and complications. Knowing if you have it is a key place to start so you can support your body better and reduce the risk of injury.

Marfan Syndrome

Marfan syndrome is a condition that affects the body's connective tissue, which is like the "glue" that holds everything together in your body. When someone has Marfan syndrome, it can cause them to be taller and thinner than most people, with long arms, legs, and fingers. They might also have some other things going on, like their bones might be a little curved or they might have some eye problems.

Sometimes, Marfan syndrome can make the heart and blood vessels weaker, which can be serious. It's important for someone with Marfan syndrome to get regular check-ups with the doctor to make sure everything is okay with their heart and other parts of their body.

People with Marfan syndrome can still do a lot of the same things as everyone else, but they might need to be a little more careful, especially when it comes to sports or activities that could put a lot of strain on their body. With the right care and support, many people with Marfan syndrome can live healthy and active lives.

(There are many types of hypermobility, these are just a three. )

Hypermobility? Why, whats the big deal?

The big deal is the down stream effects on the Autonomic Nervous system.

This is the manifestation of a host of symptoms that may me mistaken for issues in their own right, where the upstream trigger is they hypermobility syndrome.

Autonomic Dysregulation

Autonomic dysregulation, also known as autonomic dysfunction, refers to a condition in which the autonomic nervous system, which controls involuntary bodily functions such as heart rate, blood pressure, digestion, and temperature regulation, does not function properly.

The symptoms of autonomic dysregulation can vary widely depending on the specific dysfunction and the affected organs or systems. Some common symptoms include:

Orthostatic intolerance: Symptoms such as dizziness, lightheadedness, or fainting upon standing up, due to inadequate blood flow to the brain.
Fluctuations in blood pressure: This may manifest as episodes of high blood pressure (hypertension) or low blood pressure (hypotension).
Heart rate abnormalities: These can include rapid heart rate (tachycardia), slow heart rate (bradycardia), or irregular heart rhythms (arrhythmias).
Gastrointestinal symptoms: These may include abdominal pain, bloating, constipation, diarrhea, difficulty swallowing, or gastroesophageal reflux.
Temperature dysregulation: This may involve intolerance to heat or cold, excessive sweating (hyperhidrosis), or decreased sweating (anhidrosis).
Bladder and bowel dysfunction: Symptoms may include urinary urgency, frequency, or incontinence, as well as constipation or diarrhea.
Sexual dysfunction: This may include erectile dysfunction in men or difficulty achieving orgasm in both men and women.
Vision problems: Blurred vision, difficulty focusing, or changes in pupil size may occur.
Fatigue and weakness: These symptoms may be generalized or occur in specific muscle groups.
Sleep disturbances: Difficulty falling asleep, staying asleep, or experiencing unrefreshing sleep may occur.
Cognitive and emotional symptoms: These may include brain fog, difficulty concentrating, memory problems, anxiety, or depression.
Exercise intolerance: Difficulty tolerating physical activity or exercise may be present.

It's important to note that autonomic dysregulation can be caused by various underlying conditions, including neurological disorders, autoimmune diseases, diabetes, Parkinson's disease, multiple system atrophy, and others.

POTS - Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome

POTS is one of the symptoms of autonomic dysregulation. It might start to be noticable as your child becomes a teen. It frequently goes undiagnosed, yet it can be quite debilitating to the sufferer.

It is diagnosed by an increase in heart rate from lying to standing by 30 (teens) - 40 (adults) beats per minute. Often these folk will get dizzy when they stand up.

Rapid heartbeat (often more than 30 beats per minute increase) upon standing or being upright.
Dizziness or lightheadedness: Feeling faint, dizzy, or lightheaded when standing up from a seated or lying position.
Fatigue: Persistent tiredness or exhaustion, often worsened by physical activity.
Palpitations: Awareness of a rapid or irregular heartbeat.
Syncope: Fainting or passing out, particularly when standing for prolonged periods.
Headaches: Recurrent headaches, often described as migraine-like.
Brain fog: Difficulty concentrating, memory problems, or cognitive impairment.
Nausea: Feeling sick to the stomach or experiencing gastrointestinal discomfort.
Shortness of breath: Difficulty breathing or feeling like you can't get enough air.
Chest pain: Discomfort or pressure in the chest, sometimes mistaken for a heart attack.
Sweating abnormalities: Excessive sweating or inability to sweat properly.
Exercise intolerance: Inability to tolerate physical activity due to symptoms such as fatigue, dizziness, or palpitations.
Sleep disturbances: Difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep, unrefreshing sleep, or disrupted sleep patterns.

These symptoms can vary in severity and may fluctuate over time.

Initial Biological Resonance & FSM Sessions

In my clinic I screen for upstream triggers and drives routinely, as it can save an enormous amount of time if these things are at the core of a person's health problems, to know that they are there. Unless you are lucky enough to sit opposite and extremely talented clinician, the mainstream system tends to treat only at the symptomatic level, often compounding the actual problem. Treat at the causative level, and people tend to find relief that is more lasting than symptomatic treatment alone can ever bring - but this is just my humble opinion.

Sessions with Monica

All sessions begin with an online Naturopathic Initial. In person treatments are only offered once a full health history has been taken.

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