Tai Chi and Hypermobility Syndrome

As many of my students know I was diagnosed with arthritis in late 2007. What has been a long road for my own health has turned a corner recently with a new diagnosis of hypermobility syndrome. The arthritis still remains, however what I have now had answered are the questions I had regarding many of the other symptoms I have experienced over the last four years, that also link into my health as a child.

With a Western medicine diagnosis (amongst many naturopathic, homeopathic and complementary alternatives and treatments that are my preference to pharmaceuticals), this has helped me understand my muscular and skeletal body a whole lot more. And from that I can learn to manage my symptoms with a clearer path. The really good news is that Tai Chi, Qi Gong and Meditation are all recommended ways to help gently combat symptoms of this condition, so luckily I have a bit of a head start.

From this I’ve spent the last few weeks researching, and am sharing my findings with you here.

Condition

Hypermobility Syndrome is a genetic connective tissue disorder caused by a collagen defect
Soft tissues are more elastic
Joints move beyond their normal range of motion (double jointed)
Causes joint instability
Hyperextension of joints

Primary Symptoms

Joint pain
Injury easily; sprain, dislocation, torn muscles
Inflammation
Chronic muscular contraction
Joint pain when weight/pressure applied for too long a time period e.g. sleeping / sitting
Leads to chronic fatigue as have to constantly move when asleep
Early onset of arthritis

Secondary symptoms are noted in detail in this Hypermobility Syndrome Blog

Tai Chi and Hypermobility Syndrome

The Hypermobility Blogspot recommends Tai Chi (and in turn Qi Gong) as recommended exercises for the syndrome as this falls in the category of “joint-healthy physical activities”. Tai Chi and Qi Gong are low impact, gentle yet powerful movements that aid all body systems including joint health.

The slow meditative practice also helps to improve proprioception (knowing where you body is in space or knowing how your limbs are oriented to your body) by building up a heightened sense of body awareness. This is important in hypermobility syndrome so that you can learn to align your posture correctly without exaggerating the over extension of the joints.

Meditation is also recommended to calm the mind, reduce anxiety, depression and physical tension.

Tai Chi is also recommended by Dr. Alan G. Pocinki who wrote a medical paper titled “Joint Hypermobility and
Joint Hypermobility Syndrome“. He stated “AVOID high-impact exercises, such as sports that involve running, jumping, or physical contact. Swimming or water exercises, walking, Pilates, and Tai Chi are good choices. Some forms of yoga are OK, but others are not.” These ideas are echoed in the article “Pain in the Joint Hypermobility Syndrome (JHS)” by Dr. Jaime F. Bravo, Rheumatology-Osteoporosis.

Hypermobility Syndrome Resources

Pain Management for Benign Joint Hypermobility Syndrome

www.hypermobility.org

Hypermobility Hope Blog

2011 Hypermobility Conference Documents

Surviving and Living with Chronic Illness

Benign joint hypermobility in childhood

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