Hypermobility Tool Kit
Equipment that can improve your quality of life
Best Products for Hypermobility
Supplements
For multiple reasons, Ehlers-Danlos syndrome is associated with metabolic abnormalities in the context of a connective tissue disorder. To optimize health, the proper nutrition for collagen, the extra-cellular matrix (collagen glue), mast cell stabilization, fascia health and blood pressure regulation is needed. Most nutritional needs can be met with a strict diet based on your circumstances. However, early research is suggesting certain supplementation can help most patients with uncontrolled EDS symptoms.
We recommend Thorne Research supplements as used by top research organizations, including Mayo Clinic and U.S. Olympics, NSF-Certified. Our clinic wants to know that what you are taking is actually safe and working. We also have been able to obtain a professional rate from our dispensary!
Stability Shoes
Stability shoes are a must-have for hypermobile and EDS patients. Stability shoes prevent overpronation, or the foot turning outward when you stand. A foot that turns outward cause misalignment of the knees and hips. Misalignment can lead to knee cap dislocations and hip impingement, which both can cause pain.
Stability shoes also have medial arch support that prevents the foot from collapsing. A collapsed foot can lead to pain from plantar fasciitis, anterior tibial tendon pain, and posterior tibial tendon pain.
Walking barefoot should be avoided as much as possible, and wearing supportive slides in the home is necessary as well. At the end of the day, these shoes just feel great!
Compression Pants
Compression pants or leggings are absolutely important for many with hypermobility for two reasons. First, many patients with hypermobility tend to have POTS (postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome). POTS causes patients to feel lightheaded when standing up too fast. POTS can also cause a fast heart rate, dizziness, GI dysfunction, and fatigue.
Second, patients with hypermobility have hypermobile legs that often feel like noodles when standing and walking. Compression pants provide additional support for the legs that will allow you to feel less pain and fatigue when standing, walking, or running. You will want to choose the tightest fit that you can tolerate.
- AlignMed Leggings (For Women, use FASCIA10 for discount)
- Nike compression
- Lulu Lemon compression
- Under Armour compression
Massage Gun
We are not big into gimmicks, but this percussion massage gun is no scam! This is an absolute tool for improving pain and refreshing connective tissue in patients with hypermobility. The mix between vibration, percussion pressure, and massage significantly helps connective tissue recover. While research is limited, many patients in our clinic report excellent benefits with regular use. Even better, both Hypervolt and Theragun have compatible apps that guide you through safe and effective us. While these massage guns are expensive, the investment into your health is worth it.
Cervical Traction
Just like the rest of the body, the neck is hypermobile as well. In most cases, people who are hypermobile tend to have a neck that leans forward too much. Further, in today’s society, many tend to look down too much while working on a computer, texting, or browsing social media. In our clinic, we will check flexion and extension imaging to see to what extent your neck may be hypermobile. If cervical instability is not treated, it can lead to early arthritis, disc problems, brainstem compression, or spinal cord compression. We recommend cervical traction for 20 minutes twice per day. Besides, this will also feel great!
Summary
A hypermobile body is unique, advantageous for athletes, but high maintenance! However, with the proper equipment, medical care, and physical therapy, connective tissue health can improve. We will continue to update this list as new products come to market that can help with a hypermobile body. Make the investment in this equipment and your quality of life will likely improve.
In the mean time…
We thank you for your patience. Check out other resources on our site, or other great information from the Ehlers-Danlos Society.
