If this video resonates- here’s our free hypermobility guide with info about what it is and how to test for it. https://spreadwhealth.com/hypermobility-free-resources
Hypermobility often refers to genetic differences in a person’s connective tissue. It does not refer to flexibility, although increased flexibility can be a symptom of connective tissue hypermobility.
There are some very flexible people on YouTube, such as @MovementbyDavid, who mentions he has put in YEARS of work to achieve his flexibility.
Meanwhile, there are some individuals who have always been able to drop into the splits or put their arms behind their heads without ever having to formally train those movements.
However, people who are naturally “flexible” often experience lots of joint pain. People with hypermobile connective tissue disorders will usually present with more than just musculoskeletal issues – like cardiovascular issues, immune response issues (MCAS), dysautonomia, POTS, skin issues, eye and teeth problems, and the list goes on.
Individuals with connective tissue disorders will benefit from lifestyle adjustments: exercise, eating a whole food diet, drinking plenty of water, improving sleep, reducing stress, and moving more throughout the day. This is true of pretty much everyone, actually. We teach people to do this through our Hypermobility program (link in bio).
Disclaimer: you can be super flexible in one joint because of an injury or sport. For instance, baseball pitchers can have a VERY flexible shoulder, and someone who has severely sprained their ankle in the past may have a VERY flexible ankle as a result of lengthened ligaments.
Both Katie and I have been diagnosed with Hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome.
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