Hypermobility - tight shoulder/back muscles, anyone had similar?

[Cedise]

I have HMS but don't have too many problems - just the 'usual' aches and pains that are pretty much constant. I went to a spa recently for a treat, and the masseur was amazed at how tight my back and shoulder muscles were - in her words, my back was 'like a rock'. She kept asking if I worked at a desk (no) and if I was under a lot of stress (no). She ended up working on my back for then entire hour instead of the 'whole body massage' I had originally booked!

I was wondering if my back muscles were tense from holding my spine in place - and if that was really a bad thing. The masseur thought it wasn't good, but then she did admit she didn't know anything about HMS. I have pretty much constant lower back pain anyway.

[MrsDmitriTippensKrushnic]

I have that - I also have a slight hump caused by my top of my spine being pushed over by the spasming muscles. In my case (according to a physiotherapist) it's because the hypermobility mixed with poor posture (I'm tall, and have a tendency to slouch to talk to people!) has meant I overuse the base and top of my spine. At one point my middle vertebra had 'fused' together through lack of use.

Various GPs and Physios have recommended Yoga over the years, and I finally started doing it regularly this year and I have to say it does help. I get a lot of hip and knee pain (my right hip shifts out of joint a fair amount) and I've found that the stretching and strengthening exercises have helped with that too.

[cardamomginger]

Yup. Where I am bendy, I am ridiculously bendy. Where I am stiff, I am virtually immobile . I've worked really hard at pilates over the years to build up core stability to try and counteract the hypermobility and keep things in place and get the stiff parts (shoulders and back in particular) to free up a bit.
Just a warning to all those who are hypermobile - apparently it can go along with a too tight and spasm-prone pelvic floor, which means that women who have this can do very badly with vaginal birth. So the gynae who is trying to put me back together and fix all my birth injuries after I gave birth to DD tells me....

[Cedise]

Ooh I reckon I had a lucky escape then! When I had DD I only pushed for 20 mins, and though I had a looong tear, it wasn't deep, and no ongoing problems from it. MrsDTK, I was told that yoga was bad - that it was too easy to over-stretch. I only went to yoga once, years ago, and the instructor wouldn't believe I had never done it before as I could do all the poses easily! I suppose it depends if you have a good instructor who understands what being too bendy actually means.

[SparkleRainbow]

I was told no to yoga too, as yoga helps improve flexibility, which is something I didn't need!! My back muscles are often very tight around my extreme vertebrae, that prevents me from subluxes, for my ds his physio works on building up his muscle strength around his spine, whilst keeping his spine supple. Do you need to go back to a decent physio who knows about BJHS and can give you a selection of exercises to improve flexibility and build muscle strength?

[MrsDmitriTippensKrushnic]

Okay that's weird, maybe it was just a personal recommendation then? My hypermobility isn't that bad (I know people who have real problems with it so I know I'm very lucky) I've found the movements don't make me more flexible, they just make it less painful and at the same time give me more control plus the better posture takes some of the pressure off my joints (I am very klutzy and have appalling posture)

Actually, thinking back on the timeline some of those recommendations were before I was told about the hypermobility... Crap.

[SparkleRainbow]

I think the best advice can be take it easy and do what works for you, but if something hurts before or after, stop! Strengthening exercises are key to improving joint stability.

[lookbutdonttouch]

I was told no to yoga too, a big no. But a big yes to pilates.

Apparently yoga can increase flexibility, the last thing I needed but pilates can improve the joint stability, strength, posture and therefore pain.

[SparkleRainbow]

I have heard that abiout pilates too, never done any though, not aware of any classes around here

[Mudwiggle]

Hi - I have been diagnosed with hypermobility today after months of back/shoulder pain. MrsDimitri - I have a hump too, poor posture but I'm a short arse.

Anyway, I don't have a huge amount of faith in my physio, so other than googling, can anyone help with suggestions for the pain? I will be weight lifting a bit to strengthen my back... is there anything else? (Glad of the warnings re: yoga!)

[SparkleRainbow]

There are some well recognise physio exercises for backs, I will google and see if i can find them. Keeping mobile is important, walking is actually quite good for backs, and trying to improve posture by relaxing and pushing back shoulders. Also if you stand up straight and hang your arms loosely at your sides, and turn your hands so the palms face the front, this automatically improves your posture, with your shoulders.

Warm and cold compresses for the pain, warm works best for me,. and gentle stretching afterwards. After that there is only analgesics.

[SparkleRainbow]

Here are some possible exercises www.thephysiotherapysite.co.uk/physiotherapy/exercise/simple-back-exercises but NOT the standing up exercises....last three on the page. I have never been given those ones

[HalbAndTwiceTheFun]

I have EDS Type 3 and my back is ridiculously tense at the shoulders and lower area. My physio has been working on exercises with me but it doesn't seem to be doing much unfortunately.
Could really do with a good massage...

[SparkleRainbow]

That sounds like a nice idea.

[MrsDmitriTippensKrushnic]

I'm going to go and get myself a pilates DVD I think Will still do the yoga as it has helped, but I'll be very very careful not to push things too far.

Oh I would kill for a massage at the moment. My knots have knots.

[SparkleRainbow]

I know that feeling.