It is common to hear someone say, “I’m double jointed,” especially when they can bend
their elbows or knees farther than most people or stretch into positions that others simply
cannot. While “double jointed” is an easy way to describe this, it is not actually a medical
diagnosis. A more accurate term is joint hypermobility.
Hypermobility means that a person’s joints can move through a greater range of motion
than what is typical. Some people have hypermobility without ever experiencing a problem,
while others may experience pain, instability, fatigue, or recurring injuries related to their
increased range of motion.
When someone is very flexible, it might seem like stretching would be the answer to pain or
tightness. However, that is not always the case. In fact, for someone with hypermobility,
stability and strength may be more important than gaining additional flexibility.
Stretching may provide temporary relief, but if the underlying issue is a lack of strength or
control, stretching alone may not address the problem, because the joint needs additional
support, not more range of motion.
Sometimes a muscle can even feel tight because it is working harder than it should to
provide stability. Strengthening that muscle and improving how it contracts and relaxes can
sometimes be more helpful than simply stretching it.
One tool physical therapists may use to identify generalized joint hypermobility is the
Beighton scoring system. This is a series of movements that looks at flexibility in different
parts of the body. It includes:
- Bending forward and placing your hands flat on the floor without bending your knees
- Straightening your elbows beyond neutral
- Straightening your knees beyond neutral
- Bending your pinky finger backward beyond 90 degrees
- Bending your thumb back toward your forearm
These movements are scored, and a higher score can indicate greater generalized joint
laxity. A medical provider will also ask questions about your history, including previous
injuries, joint problems, and other symptoms. The score is not used by itself to tell the whole story. Instead, it is one piece of information that can help your physical therapist, or medical provider, understand your individual presentation.
At Inspired Physiotherapy, we believe it is important to look at the whole person, not just
one measurement or one painful area. If you are naturally very flexible, your treatment plan
may focus more on strength, stability, coordination, and control rather than simply trying to
increase your range of motion.
So, the next time you hear someone say, “I’m double jointed,” you can now understand
more about what is likely going on with their joints. And while being flexible is not
necessarily a problem, understanding how to control and stabilize that extra movement
can be an important part of staying strong, active, and pain-free.
Inspired Physiotherapy — helping you understand your body so you can move with confidence.
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