How to Test for Hypermobility

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Have you ever wondered how to test for hypermobility? Perhaps you are looking for an explanation for your joint pain, or want to understand how you’ve always been able to touch your toes easily despite never stretching. Hypermobility is a topic that is being discussed more frequently but there is still a massive lack of awareness surrounding it. At Whealth we are working hard on a daily basis to educate people on the topic. Many people do not understand that hypermobility spectrum disorders do not only impact a person’s joints but their entire body! 

So how do you test for hypermobility? Well, there’s one test that is frequently mentioned called the Beighton Score. This test has been used for the past 30 years and has its advantages and disadvantages. The test is straightforward, non-invasive, low-cost, and fast. Administering the test requires no special equipment although some professionals will use a goniometer to measure joint angles. There are 9 points possible on the test which looks at the pinky fingers, thumb/wrist, elbows, knees, and the low back/hamstrings.

For the pinky fingers, you place your forearm and hand face down on a flat surface (like a table) and bend the pinky finger back. If it bends back more than 90 degrees you receive a point. You test both sides for a total of two points possible. 

With the wrist, you stretch your arm out straight with your palm facing down and see if you can press your thumb to touch the forearm. You receive one point for each side that you can touch. 

Then you extend your arms out straight to see if the elbows hyperextend. A hyperextension of more than 10 degrees receives a point. One point for each side.

Standing with the legs straight look to see if the knees hyperextend. You get one point for each knee that hyperextends greater than 10 degrees. 

Standing with feet together and knees not bent bend over to touch the floor with palms flat. If you can place your palms flat without bending the knees you get a point.

There are a total of 9 points possible on the test. A score of 6 or more in a child is considered positive. A score of 5 or more in an adult under the age of 50 or 4 or more in an adult over 50 is also considered positive.

The Beighton score test can be used to help determine if a person is hypermobile. You can ask your medical provider about the test if you have concerns about being hypermobile. Understand that many medical providers have limited knowledge of hypermobility, but they should be able to educate themselves to help you. 

Hypermobility encompasses much more than just joint flexibility as previously mentioned. Some commonly occurring issues that may go along with hypermobility include chronic pain, difficulty with restful sleep, low blood pressure, anxiety, SIBO, slow GI motility, constipation, prolapses, hernias, and poor wound healing, and allergies/intolerances, to name just a few! We have connective tissue all over our bodies so every system can be impacted by connective tissue laxity. 

There is a wide range of variability in how people are impacted, or to what extent they may be bothered by hypermobility. We’ve learned that one of the best things we can possibly do for hypermobility is exercise. But not just any old exercise. Many hypermobile individuals have tried to exercise, only to be injured. Then they usually try physical therapy. Sometimes it’s helpful but often it’s not. There are multiple reasons for this but to name a few- it’s not convenient, it’s expensive, it’s time-consuming, and many PTs have limited knowledge of hypermobility spectrum disorders or how to help individuals with them. 

I fell in love with all things health, fitness, and wellness. I loved how good I felt when I was strength training, even with frequent injuries. Having been a part of the fitness industry on a daily basis for over two decades now, I’ve learned a tremendous amount. I’ve trained in various forms of movement, corrective exercise, pilates, etc, and am thrilled to have the opportunity to help so many others with chronic pain and hypermobility to train in ways that assist their bodies and support their journey toward freedom- freedom to live without limitation from pain! Everyone should have the freedom to enjoy life and use their body with confidence, and that is exactly what we teach and provide here at Whealth! 

This is why we created our very own Hypermobility program, so that we can help you overcome your pain. Click this link to learn more about the program!

-Katie