Hypermobility and Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS)

Gentle care for bodies that need precision, not force.

If you have joint hypermobility, Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome, or a hypermobility spectrum disorder, you need care built around stability. My approach emphasizes careful assessment, neutral-position adjustments and stability, and it is designed for people whose bodies need gentler, more precise care.

• Light pressure. No forceful manipulation, end-range stretching or aggressive adjustments.
• Stability first. Supporting hypermobile joints without creating additional laxity.
• Individual assessment. Each visit adapted to your presentation and tolerance that day.

What makes hypermobile bodies different

Not all joint mobility is the same

Hypermobility means joints move beyond typical ranges. That creates different challenges than simple stiffness. Instability, recurring subluxations and compensatory muscle tension all call for an approach adapted to the person in front of me.

Gentle does not mean ineffective

Low-force techniques can address mechanical dysfunction without triggering protective guarding or post-treatment flares. For hypermobile bodies, precision matters more than pressure.

Stability over mobility

When joints already move too much, treatment focuses on supporting proper positioning, reducing excessive motion and addressing compensation patterns, not on increasing range of motion.

Understanding EDS and hypermobility

Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome is a group of connective tissue disorders affecting collagen, the structural protein that gives strength and elasticity to skin, joints and blood vessels. Hypermobility spectrum disorders describe symptomatic joint hypermobility that does not meet full EDS criteria but still causes real problems.

The most common form, hypermobile EDS (hEDS), shows up mainly as generalized joint hypermobility and musculoskeletal complications: instability, frequent subluxations, chronic pain, and muscle tension as the body works to stabilize joints that move too much.

Hypermobile joints respond to force differently than typical joints, so how care is delivered matters as much as the intent behind it. Open Source Technique uses gentle, low-force, neutral-position adjustments, working within each joint’s stable range instead of pushing against it. That is the foundation of every visit.

Many hypermobile people also live with autonomic dysfunction (POTS), mast cell activation issues, pain sensitization and proprioceptive difficulties. Good care keeps those in view rather than treating mechanical problems in isolation.

How the care is adapted

Assessment before adjustment

Each visit begins with a careful look at joint positioning, muscle tone and how you are doing that day. Treatment is never predetermined.

• Identifying which segments need stabilizing and which need mobilizing
• Recognizing hypermobile compensation patterns
• Assessing your tolerance for specific techniques
• Watching for autonomic responses during treatment

Neutral-position techniques

Adjustments are made without pushing joints to end range or using forceful manipulation, the same way I work with TMJ disorders. This keeps the risk of creating additional laxity low.

• Light-force directional corrections
• No rotational cracking or popping
• Positioning over force
• Minimal post-treatment soreness or inflammation

Supporting structures

Hypermobile joints depend heavily on the surrounding muscles for stability, so soft tissue work addresses compensatory tension without overstretching ligaments that are already lax.

• Targeted release for overworked stabilizers
• No aggressive stretching of protective tension
• Addressing fascial restrictions
• Supporting good muscle activation

Spine and extremities

Hypermobility affects the whole body, not just the spine, so treatment follows patterns through the kinetic chain.

• Upper cervical stabilization for those with cranial settling
• Thoracic and rib patterns
• Sacroiliac joint instability
• Shoulder, hip and ankle hypermobility

Beyond the table

Managing hypermobility well goes past manual care. Recommendations may include:

• Stabilization-focused exercise guidance
• Postural and ergonomic changes
• Custom orthotics for hypermobile feet
• Coordination with physical therapy or medical specialists when appropriate

Realistic expectations

Hypermobility is a structural reality, not something that can be “fixed.” Care aims to improve function, reduce pain and build stability within the limits of each person’s connective tissue.

• Clear communication about what chiropractic care can and cannot address
• Ongoing management rather than quick fixes
• Saying so when another intervention is more appropriate

What brings hypermobile patients in

Neck pain and instability. Upper cervical hypermobility can cause persistent headaches, dizziness and a sense of the head feeling “too heavy.” Gentle stabilization addresses positioning without creating additional laxity.

TMJ pain and clicking. Jaw hypermobility often comes with EDS, bringing jaw pain, difficulty chewing and compensatory muscle tension. Treatment supports proper joint positioning and reduces muscle overwork rather than forcing more jaw motion.

Mid-back and rib pain. Hypermobile ribs can cause chronic mid-back discomfort, trouble breathing deeply and ribs that slip with certain movements. Gentle rib adjustments and soft tissue work address these patterns.

Low back and pelvic instability. Sacroiliac hypermobility is very common in this population, bringing low back pain, trouble standing for long and a sense of the pelvis “giving out.” SI belts and stabilization exercises often help alongside precise adjustments.

Shoulders, knees and ankles. Extremity hypermobility brings recurring subluxations, tendon irritation and joint pain. Treatment addresses both the loose joint and the compensation around it. Foot mechanics matter a lot here, which is why I often recommend custom orthotics for hypermobile feet.

Old injuries that never fully settled. Hypermobile tissue heals differently. Old injuries may leave instability that needs ongoing management rather than a one-time fix.

Working with your other providers

Hypermobility conditions affect many body systems. Many patients also work with geneticists for diagnosis, cardiologists for POTS, gastroenterologists, physical therapists, pain specialists and mental health professionals. I provide care within the scope of chiropractic and support coordination with the rest of your medical team.

If you are not sure whether gentle chiropractic care fits your situation, a consultation gives you clarity. Most people can tell after the first visit whether this approach makes sense for them.

More about this practice

• About Dr. Leusden
• What to expect on your first visit
• Other conditions treated
• Frequently asked questions