What is Generalized Hypermobility and Why Does it Matter?
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(Quick Read: 3 to 5 minutes)
(Last updated: January 2026)
What is Generalized Hypermobility?
Generalized Hypermobility refers to a trait that some people have where many or all of their joints are flexible beyond the typical range of motion.
Before labeling it Generalized Hypermobility, people usually refer to themselves as “double jointed,” “bendy,” and / or “super flexible.”
It is not inherently pathological or painful, but can be the most clearly visible sign of an underlying connective tissue disorder.
Where single-joint hypermobility can be the result of an insult, injury, or degeneration, Generalized Hypermobility tends to indicate a more body-wide condition.
What causes Generalized Hypermobility?
The inconvenient truth is that, for the vast majority of generally hypermobile people, we don’t know why they’re hypermobile. We don’t understand the underlying mechanisms or the triggers.
That’s not to say that there aren’t plausible theories, there simply isn’t one root cause that has been validated by high-quality scientific studies (as of this writing in 2026).
This likely means that there are several factors distributed across genetic inheritance and lifestyle triggers (such as nutrition, environment, and stress load) that contribute to the presentation of Generalized Hypermobility. It’s not just one thing.
For some, it is part of an inherited connective tissue disorder such as Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS) or Marfan Syndrome, which can be confirmed with a genetic test.
Why does it matter?
Generalized Hypermobility is an indicator that your body has some challenge building and/or maintaining connective tissues.
While being super flexible might not be problematic, the other effects of poor connective tissue quality can be much more significant. Far from being just the stuff that makes up tendons and ligaments, connective tissue is the substance that makes up almost the entire human body. It’s your skin, gut lining, blood vessels, nerve sheaths, joint capsules, fascia, and more.
Because connective tissues are so integral to the structure and function of the human body, the presentation of connective tissue challenges can be wide-spread, varied, and seemingly non-sensical. Joint hypermobility is simply the most clearly visible sign.
Generalized Hypermobility vs.
Hypermobility Spectrum Disorder
When someone has Generalized Hypermobility and is experiencing recurring or chronic symptoms related to that hypermobility, then we call it Hypermobility Spectrum Disorder (HSD).
These symptoms often include chronic pain and muscle tension, and can include an array of other challenges. I’ll cover these in more detail in the next post, specifically geared toward HSD.
How does this relate to Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome?
Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS) is a family of inherited connective tissue disorders, for which one of the most pronounced common features is generalized hypermobility.
For many medical professionals, the only context in which they have ever learned about hypermobility is related to EDS.
I’ll talk about EDS extensively in an upcoming post, so you can get a clearer picture of the distinctions between Generalized Hypermobility, HDS, and EDS; and why it matters.
I think I have Generalized Hypermobility.
What do I do with that information?
I know this moment. You might feel like Alice, having just stepped down the rabbit hole, with no idea just how deep it goes. (Fair warning, it’s pretty deep.)
To be honest, it’s a bit like that. But it’s not all murderous Red Queens and tedious doctor visits. It’s a bit strange and somewhat difficult to make sense of, but there are clear first steps you can take to start feeling more stable, confident, and informed.
First step: Take a deep breath. Allow yourself to be calm and grounded for a moment.
Second step: Read, verbalize, and repeat this statement: “I can understand this, and I can do something about it.”
I see so many people who believe that complex health challenges are beyond their ability to understand. That is a frustrating and demoralizing place to be, and it is NOT how it has to be.
You can understand these complex topics.
You can advocate for your own needs.
You can be healthy and stable with hypermobility.
Any time you get that falling-down-the-rabbit-hole feeling, pause, take a deep breath, and repeat “I can understand this, and I can do something about it.”
Third step: Read on! I designed this series of posts to be a Guide to the Hypermobile Rabbit Hole. I hear you. I get you. You’re in the right place.
Note
This post is the first part of a series that I’m writing in 2026.
I understand that these questions are usually the first steps down a deep (and sometimes urgent) research rabbit hole. If you want to read more before I’m finished with the series, here are some links to other resources that I’ve found helpful in my own hypermobility research odyssey.
The most reliable website: The EDS Society’s educational resources
My favorite book on complex hypermobility: Disjointed, edited by Diana Jovin
Upcoming posts:
How do I know if I have Generalized Hypermobility?
What is Ehlers Danlos Syndrome? (a Deep Dive)
Getting the Right Diagnosis: Generalized Hypermobility, HSD, EDS +
Want to skip the reading and get straight to the part where you feel better?