Hyper mobility 🤷🏽‍♀️

I remember the day I truly realized that not everyone's hands could bend back quite like mine. It was a bit of a shock, honestly! For years, I just thought my extreme flexibility was totally normal, something everyone experienced. It wasn't until a friend pointed out how my fingers seemed to defy gravity that I started to wonder, “You really telling me not everyone's hands do this?” This personal discovery really got me thinking about what hypermobility truly is and how it impacts my everyday life. Hypermobility, or hyperflexibility, essentially means that your joints move beyond the typical range of motion. It's often referred to as being 'double-jointed,' but it's more about the ligaments around your joints being looser. While it sounds cool to be super bendy, it can come with its own set of challenges, from joint pain to instability. For those of us with hypermobility, even common activities like running can be a bit tricky. I've personally found that without the right support, my joints, especially in my feet and ankles, can feel overstressed. If you're wondering how to run with hypermobility, my biggest tip is to focus on stability. Investing in shoes with excellent arch support and stability features has been a game-changer for me. Secondly, strengthening the muscles around your joints, rather than just stretching, is crucial. This helps create a natural brace for your joints. When it comes to a hypermobile workout, it's a fine line between maintaining strength and accidentally overstretching or causing instability. My routine now focuses heavily on strengthening exercises, especially for core stability and the muscles surrounding my bendy joints. Pilates, swimming, and resistance band training have been fantastic, as they allow for controlled movements without pushing my joints past their safe range. I avoid deep stretches that might feel good in the moment but could lead to instability later. It's about building protective strength, not just showcasing flexibility. Many people, myself included at first, wonder how to fix hypermobility. From my experience and what I've learned, it's less about 'fixing' it and more about effective management. Since hypermobility is often genetic, you can't truly 'fix' the underlying joint laxity. Instead, the goal is to prevent symptoms like pain and instability by strengthening the surrounding muscles, improving proprioception (your body's awareness in space), and protecting your joints from hyperextension. Physical therapy can be incredibly helpful in learning specific exercises and body mechanics. And let's not forget our feet! Feet hypermobility is quite common among those of us with bendy joints. My feet are pretty flexible too, which means I'm more prone to issues like overpronation or feeling unstable on uneven surfaces. I've found that wearing supportive shoes, even around the house, and doing specific foot and ankle strengthening exercises (like toe curls or calf raises) makes a huge difference. It helps to create a more stable base for my entire body. It’s all part of understanding and working with my unique body, rather than against it.