So You're Hypermobile. Here's How Pilates Might Help

My hypermobility used to cause me a lot of trouble, but I’ve gained confidence and strength after reading about it in one of your columns. I now have a Pilates instructor who’s retraining my body and helping me dance in a consistent way. Thank you!

—No Longer Anxious, Philadelphia, PA

As you’ve discovered, addressing hypermobility through a cross-training program like Pilates can do wonders. It can even be more effective than taking multiple dance classes a day, which could reinforce bad habits. Why? Hypermobile dancers lack sufficient muscle receptors. This collagen syndrome means your muscles and ligaments are similar to stretched-out rubber bands.

But a Pilates instructor who knows how to work with hypermobility can teach you to engage the right body parts instead of gripping or moving beyond a safe range of motion. If you retrain your body, you’ll be able to recruit specific muscles in a predictable way, so you don’t feel like your technique varies from day to day. Enjoy the benefits of your hard work.

Send your questions to Dr. Linda Hamilton at
[email protected].