Are your joints hypermobile or hypomobile?
Did you know that injuries can be caused from joints being too tight or too loose?
Hypermobile = Your joints are too loose and move excessively. If you’re hypermobile, your ligaments are overstretched and your muscles have to take over the job of stabilizing your joints. This unstable condition causes your muscles to get very tight yet they can often stretch very far. So yes, you might be seem flexible but be very careful to stretch only in your muscle belly (the middle of your muscle) and NOT the joint itself. It’s actually best not to stretch thru your full range of motion because you don’t want to put your body in that compromised position. Staying strong is key!
Hypomobile = Your joints are too tight and have decreased range of motion. If you’re hypomobile, your ligaments are too short and tight and you can’t seem to stretch very far. Yes, your muscles are likely to be tight as well but be careful when pushing stretches too far to prevent injuries. Find a comfortable stretch position and simply hold the stretch for 30-90 seconds. Remember to breathe!
And yes, some people have perfectly normal joint range of motion. But it’s important to recognize if you fit into either category above as you may need to modify some of your activites to avoid an injury.
If you’d like us to evaluate your mobility-type and make stretching or strengthening recommendations, please contact us or call at 303-444-1171.