Living in a body that bends more than most can feel confusing.
On one hand, hypermobility can mean graceful flexibility, impressive yoga poses, or “party trick” joints. On the other, it may bring chronic pain, repeated sprains, fatigue, GI issues, headaches, and a nervous system that never seems to fully relax. Many patients spend years being told their symptoms are “anxiety,” “just growing pains,” or “normal” test results, without anyone naming what’s really going on.
For people in British Columbia with Hypermobility Spectrum Disorder (HSD) or hypermobile Ehlers–Danlos Syndrome (hEDS), naturopathic doctors (NDs) can play a meaningful role in putting the puzzle pieces together. Because naturopathic medicine is licensed and regulated in B.C., NDs can assess, diagnose within their scope, and provide a blend of structural, nutritional, and lifestyle interventions aimed at improving function and quality of life.
This isn’t about “fixing” connective tissue that is genetically different. It’s about helping hypermobile patients build resilience: stronger muscles around lax joints, calmer nervous systems, steadier digestion, and daily routines that honor their body’s limits rather than fighting them.
What Is Hypermobility (And Why Does It Affect So Much)?
Hypermobility exists on a spectrum. Some people have a few extra-bendy joints; others meet formal criteria for HSD or hEDS and live with multi-system symptoms. The common thread is connective tissue that behaves differently, often more elastic and less stable than average.
Because collagen and other connective-tissue components are woven through almost every structure in the body, hypermobility can show up well beyond the joints:
Joints: recurrent sprains, subluxations, dislocations, early osteoarthritis, chronic pain.
Muscles: tightness from constant guarding, trigger points, myofascial pain.
Cardiovascular system: orthostatic intolerance or POTS-like symptoms, palpitations, low blood pressure.
Digestive system: reflux, bloating, constipation, “IBS,” early satiety, nausea.
Immune/mast cell system: rashes, flushing, histamine intolerance, multiple sensitivities.
Nervous system: anxiety, poor sleep, sensory sensitivity, feeling “on edge” much of the time.
From a naturopathic perspective, this is one body-wide pattern with many local expressions. Instead of treating each symptom in isolation, NDs can help patients understand how everything connects, then build a layered plan that respects the reality of chronic illness.
The Naturopathic Approach: Whole-Person, Root-Cause Oriented Care
In B.C., naturopathic medicine is defined in legislation as a profession focused on the prevention, assessment, and treatment of disease using naturopathic techniques. That regulatory framework allows NDs to combine conventional assessment tools with natural therapies in a way that’s often well-suited to complex conditions like hypermobility.
Key naturopathic principles that shape hypermobility care include:
Treat the whole person – Symptoms in the joints, gut, and nervous system are viewed as interdependent rather than separate issues.
Identify and treat the cause – Looking for drivers such as deconditioning, chronic stress, poor sleep, nutrient insufficiency, or environmental triggers that worsen symptoms.
Support the healing power of nature – Working with the body’s adaptive capacity rather than pushing it beyond its limits.
First do no harm – Prioritizing gentle, sustainable interventions, and being mindful that “more aggressive” is not always better for fragile connective tissue.
For many hypermobile patients, simply being believed, having a framework that explains their experience, and receiving a plan that doesn’t demand perfection can be deeply regulating.
Assessment: How NDs in B.C. Can Map the Terrain
While formal diagnosis of specific hereditary disorders may involve genetics, imaging, and specialist involvement, naturopathic doctors can still conduct a careful clinical assessment and collaborate with other providers when red flags arise.
A thorough naturopathic intake for hypermobile individuals often includes:
Detailed history of joint symptoms
– Onset, pattern of injuries, flares with hormonal shifts, activity tolerance, and recovery time.Screening tools
– Beighton score and other clinical criteria for generalized joint hypermobility (recognizing the limitations of these tools).Systems review
– Digestion, menstrual cycles, autonomic symptoms (lightheadedness, fainting, palpitations), migraines, allergies, skin fragility, bruising.Sleep and pain patterns
– Restorative vs non-restorative sleep, insomnia, night pain, morning stiffness.Mental-emotional landscape
– Anxiety, mood, trauma history, masking/camouflaging, impact on work, school, parenting.Lifestyle and environment
– Movement routines, ergonomics, pacing, exposures to mould, chemicals, or other potential triggers that can exacerbate symptoms.
Laboratory work, when appropriate, might explore iron status, B12 and folate, vitamin D, thyroid function, inflammatory markers, and other nutrients relevant to connective tissue and energy. The goal is not to over-test, but to identify correctable factors that could meaningfully shift day-to-day resilience.
Stabilizing the Musculoskeletal System: Strength, Not Stretch
Many hypermobile people have spent years being praised for their flexibility and told to “just stretch” their tight muscles. For lax joints, this often backfires. The muscles tighten reflexively to protect unstable joints, and excessive stretching can worsen pain and injury risk.
Naturopathic support in this area usually focuses on:
Manual therapies and adjunctive treatments
NDs can utilize spinal or peripheral joint manipulation, soft-tissue work, or injection-based therapies like prolotherapy or PRP for selected patients with recurrent instability.Joint protection and pacing
Teaching patients to move within a safe range, avoid end-range loading, and distribute tasks throughout the day rather than in one big push can dramatically reduce flares.Gentle, progressive strength training
Building strong muscles around lax joints provides active stability and reduces the burden on ligaments and capsules. This may start with isometric holds, closed-chain exercises, and very small ranges of motion before progressing.Collaboration with physiotherapy and kinesiology
Partnering with clinicians who understand hypermobility—such as specialized physiotherapists and kinesiologists who work almost exclusively with hypermobile clients—helps patients receive cohesive instructions rather than conflicting advice.
An example: a patient with recurrent ankle sprains and knee pain might start with very basic foot intrinsic strengthening, supported squats within a small range, and balance training at a counter, long before tackling higher-impact activity.
Nutrition and Connective Tissue: Building Better “Raw Materials”
We cannot change the genetic template of collagen, but we can support the quality of the connective tissue the body is trying to build with the resources it has. Nutrition becomes a key pillar of care.
Important nutritional themes for hypermobile patients include:
Balanced, anti-inflammatory eating pattern
Emphasizing whole foods, high-quality protein, colourful vegetables, fruit, and healthy fats can help modulate inflammation and provide the amino acids needed for tissue repair. Mediterranean-style patterns have shown promise for functional GI symptoms commonly seen in this population.Protein sufficiency
Many individuals under-eat protein, especially if chewing is painful or fatigue reduces meal prep. Ensuring adequate intake, spaced across the day, supports muscle recovery and connective tissue repair.Micronutrients for collagen and energy
Vitamin C, zinc, copper, manganese, iron, and B vitamins all play roles in collagen synthesis, wound healing, and mitochondrial function. NDs customize supplementation based on diet, labs, and tolerance, rather than blanket “take everything” protocols.Gut-aware strategies
Because dyspepsia, IBS-like symptoms, and motility issues are so common, nutrition plans often need to be low in trigger foods while still being nutrient-dense. Approaches may include small, frequent meals, texture modification, and, when indicated, structured protocols.
The emphasis is usually on sustainable changes rather than restrictive perfectionism. A realistic plan might look like: one additional protein-focused snack each day, a shift toward cooked rather than raw vegetables for easier digestion, and simple batch-prepped meals that can be reheated on low-energy days.
Gut Health, MCAS, and the “Sensitive Body”
Many hypermobile patients describe themselves as “sensitive to everything”—foods, medications, smells, temperature, noise. This often overlaps with Mast Cell Activation Syndrome (MCAS) or histamine intolerance, although clear diagnostic pathways are still evolving.
Naturopathic support in this area may involve:
Identifying and reducing individual trigger foods, while avoiding overly restrictive diets that worsen nutrition and stress.
Supporting gut barrier integrity and microbiome balance with targeted fibers, probiotics, and botanicals when tolerated.
Using nutrients and herbs that modulate mast cell activity and histamine metabolism, such as vitamin C, quercetin, and other flavonoids, again tailored to each person’s tolerance.
Using over-the-counter medications and prescription medications, such as antihistamines and mast cell stabilizers, to reduce the histamine response and improve overall quality of life.
Because this territory can feel overwhelming, NDs can help clients move stepwise: pick one or two realistic changes, observe, and adjust, instead of trying to change everything at once.
Dysautonomia, POTS, and Fatigue: Helping the “Wiring” of the Body
Autonomic nervous system dysregulation is extremely common in hypermobility. Patients may experience dizziness, palpitations, brain fog, and sudden energy crashes, especially when standing or after minor exertion. Many receive diagnoses like POTS (Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome) or other forms of orthostatic intolerance.
Naturopathic strategies often include:
Volume and electrolyte support
Encouraging adequate fluid intake (often 2–3 L/day if appropriate) and increased salt within medical guidelines, sometimes with the aid of electrolyte solutions, can improve blood volume and orthostatic tolerance.Graded, horizontal-first exercise
Starting with recumbent or semi-reclined movements (e.g., recumbent cycling, supine strength work) and gradually progressing to upright activity can help retrain autonomic responses without triggering repeated crashes.Adaptogenic herbs and nervous-system support
Herbs such as holy basil, rhodiola, or ashwagandha may be used to support stress resilience and autonomic balance, always with attention to individual responses and interactions.Sleep optimization
Addressing sleep hygiene, circadian rhythm (morning light exposure, consistent wake times), and, when necessary, targeted nutraceuticals helps stabilize energy and pain.Medication management
Reviewing current medication recommendations and optimizing them based on interactions and side effects can also greatly improve quality of life. Some additional prescriptions may also be recommended based on your symptoms.
Here again, pacing is everything. NDs can help patients differentiate between gentle, consistent conditioning and “boom-bust” cycles that repeatedly overshoot their capacity.
Mental Health, Pain, and the Hypermobile Nervous System
It is not “all in the head”—but the nervous system absolutely plays a role. Chronic pain, unpredictable symptoms, and years of dismissal can prime the brain for hypervigilance and anxiety. Many hypermobile individuals also meet criteria for anxiety disorders, ADHD, or autism, which can further shape how they experience and communicate pain.
Naturopathic care in this realm focuses on:
Pain education
Helping patients understand how central sensitization, stress, and sleep deprivation amplify pain can reduce fear and reactivity around symptoms.Nervous system regulation practices
Breathwork, gentle yoga, somatic practices, and vagus-nerve-supportive strategies (like humming, safe social connection, or warm water immersion) are simple tools that patients can adapt to their own lives.Nutraceutical and botanical support
Magnesium bisglycinate, L-theanine, certain B vitamins, and selected herbs may help with muscle tension, sleep, and mild anxiety, used alongside counselling when needed.Referrals and collaboration
NDs can refer or encourage collaboration with counsellors, psychologists, and pain programs familiar with chronic illness and neurodivergence, helping the patient build a village rather than carrying everything alone.
Even small shifts—like validating a patient’s experience, naming hypermobility, or normalizing the grief that comes with a chronic condition—can reduce nervous system load.
Scope of Practice and Collaborative Care in British Columbia
In B.C., naturopathic medicine is a regulated health profession under the Health Professions Act, with a defined scope that includes diagnosis, physical examination, prescription rights, and procedures such as injections.
This framework creates several opportunities for better support of hypermobile individuals:
NDs can coordinate with family physicians, specialists (such as rheumatologists, cardiologists, or geneticists), physiotherapists, and kinesiologists to create unified care plans rather than isolated recommendations.
When warning signs appear—such as significant cardiac symptoms, unexplained weight loss, severe GI bleeding, or sudden neurological changes—NDs are positioned to refer promptly for specialist assessment.
Within their scope, NDs can offer ongoing primary care for many concerns, which is especially valuable in communities where finding a family physician is difficult. For patients with complex chronic illness, having one clinician who understands their whole story can be stabilizing.
The integrative model works best when each provider is clear on their role and communicates openly, with the patient at the centre.
A Sample Naturopathic Care Plan for a Hypermobile Patient in B.C.
Every person is different, but to illustrate how this can come together, here is an example of a phased approach an ND might take.
Phase 1: Stabilize and Understand (Weeks 1–8)
Focus: safety, validation, mapping patterns.
Comprehensive intake, including joint history, autonomic and digestive symptoms, sleep, mood, and environment.
Basic lab work to assess iron, B12, vitamin D, thyroid function, and key nutrients, if indicated.
Introduction of simple, realistic changes: slightly higher protein at breakfast, one gentle breathing practice daily, 1–2 strengthening exercises within a pain-free range, and fluid/salt optimization for orthostatic symptoms.
Education on pacing, joint protection, and energy budgeting.
Phase 2: Build Capacity (Months 2–6)
Focus: nervous system regulation, strength, and digestion.
Progression of individualized strength program in collaboration with a hypermobility-informed physiotherapist/kinesiologist.
Tailored nutrition plan emphasizing anti-inflammatory foods and adequate protein, with careful, limited experimentation around potential triggers, taking into consideration the histamine response.
Introduction of targeted supplements (e.g., magnesium, vitamin C, iron when deficient, select adaptogens) based on history and labs.
Deeper work on sleep routines and stress management tools that the patient actually enjoys and can sustain.
Phase 3: Long-Term Resilience (6+ months)
Focus: fine-tuning, relapse prevention, and life goals.
Refining exercise and activity to align with what the patient values—whether that’s parenting with less pain, returning to gentle hiking, or simply managing daily tasks with fewer crashes.
Gradual simplification of supplement regimens, focusing on what makes a noticeable difference.
Addressing longer-term projects such as environmental exposures, trauma work with appropriate therapists, or vocational planning if disability or accommodations are part of the picture.
The intention is not to create a rigid “program,” but to give structure and direction to a process that can otherwise feel overwhelming.
Living Well With a Hypermobile Body
Hypermobility is not just a musculoskeletal quirk; it is a full-body, lifelong pattern that deserves thoughtful, compassionate care. With the right supports—structural, nutritional, emotional, and environmental—many hypermobile individuals in British Columbia can move from survival mode toward a life that feels more stable, predictable, and spacious.
Naturopathic doctors, working within their regulated scope and in collaboration with other practitioners, are well-positioned to help. Whether it’s offering a framework that finally makes sense, fine-tuning a nutrition plan that doesn’t trigger flares, supporting nervous system regulation, or coordinating care with physiotherapy and specialists, naturopathic medicine can provide a grounded, integrative path forward.
If you recognize yourself in this description—if you are the “bendy” person who is always tired, in pain, or told your tests are normal—it might be worth exploring care with an ND who understands hypermobility. A more supported relationship with your body is possible, even if it bends more than most.
