By Robin on Friday, October 20, 2000 - 05:48 pm:

Hi
My chiro says I have joint laxity. Is that the same as EDS? Many of my joints pop and crack and have for years. As I get older, more joints join in. There's no pain, just a really loose feeling sometimes. I'm concerned that as I get older the increasing laxity will cause problems, maybe arthritis. Being a musician, this scares me. Also, would yoga exacerbate the problem? I certainly impress my instructor with my flexibility! I'd quit if I knew it was harmful.
Any input much appreciated.
Robin

By Sheena on Saturday, October 21, 2000 - 01:14 pm:

Robin
What instruments do you play? If you search this board, and also the old board, you will find several messages about playing different instruments. Some people fare better than others. Also there is an article at
www.hypermobility.org/articles.htm
about musicians and hypermobility.

I personally have given up playing violin due to shoulder and back pain. I have hopes that when I get my back stabilised I will go back to it, but so far it's been 2 years.

By Johanna on Saturday, October 21, 2000 - 02:36 pm:

Joint laxity (hypermobility) is definitely not the same as EDS. Hypermobility can be a symptome of various diseases and syndromes like EDS, Marfan, OI or Hypermobility Syndrom (when the hypermobility itself causes pain and disabilities)but it really doesn't have to be. A certain percentage of people is simply very mobile in comparison with the average. About the arthritis: hypermobile people are said to have a greater risk of getting it. But I don't know if this has been verified by any profound research yet. About the yoga: I was told to strech within my personal normal range of motion, but warned not to overstrech and never to show off because of the risk of injuries. I say 'I was told' because there are some contraversions on this subject as well as on the arthritis-risk. In general, if you are worried about your hypermobility, I guess it wouldn't hurt to go see a rheumatologist.

By Ger on Sunday, March 04, 2001 - 08:53 am:

I also asked that question about EDS and hypermobility. I have loose joints myself and I dont think I have anything other than benign hypermobility. However it is alarming when you're joints go 'clunk', much worse when doing exercise.
I am just nervous to ask anyone properly about it in case they think I'm just being over paranoid (when I'm definately not). I think 'right, this time I'll ask' but then I lose the courage.

By Rachel L. on Saturday, March 10, 2001 - 06:40 pm:

Robin, I too am a musician, and have much to say to you, if you are still reading this!

I was very seriously involved in yoga for many, many years and I absolutely loved the feeling of peace it gave me.

Following a car accident when I was still quite young, I was warned by a physio to STOP doing yoga or I would suffer the consequences later on. She told me I was already much too flexible (news to me!) and needed above all to balance that with strengthening exercises rather than more flexibility...furthermore, in those days, many yoga teachers were promoting the idea of an absolutely straight spine, which is not good.

Well, unfortunately the physio was right and i am now having troubles that definitely stem from what i think is simply benign hypermobility. My latest physio agrees with this, though there are also some structural problems that cause me some trouble.

PLEASE be careful with yoga!!! Stretching alone is *not* the answer! I am finding that carefully planned exercise in the water is very helpful though improvement is slow, and one must be patient with those inevitable flareups.

Good luck! Rachel L.