Understanding Hypermobility, hEDS, and Options for Pain Management
At Alternative Family Medicine & Chiropractic, we work with patients in Arvada and Longmont, Colorado, who are navigating chronic pain and symptoms associated with hypermobility. Understanding hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (hEDS), hypermobility spectrum disorders (HSD), and available approaches to symptom management can help you take the next step in your care.
Why Getting a Diagnosis Can Be So Difficult
For many people, the path to an hEDS diagnosis can be frustrating. Symptoms may begin years before someone has a name for what they are experiencing. They may have recurring joint pain, instability, unusual flexibility, or other symptoms, yet struggle to find an explanation that connects the pieces.
Unlike some other forms of Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (hEDS) currently has no confirmatory genetic test. Diagnosis is made through a clinical evaluation using established criteria.
A clinician considers several factors, including:
Generalized joint hypermobility
Additional clinical features and musculoskeletal complications
Personal and family medical history
Whether another condition better explains the symptoms
Not everyone with symptomatic joint hypermobility meets the criteria for hEDS. Some people may instead be diagnosed with a hypermobility spectrum disorder (HSD). This does not mean their symptoms are less significant or that they do not deserve care.
The evaluation can take time, particularly when symptoms involve several body systems or overlap with other conditions. A thorough assessment may include reviewing a person’s medical history, examining joint mobility, and considering other possible causes of symptoms.
If you have been living with pain and other symptoms for years, it can be difficult to hear that a diagnosis is not straightforward. But your experience matters whether you have a confirmed hEDS diagnosis, an HSD diagnosis, or are still seeking answers.
Hypermobility Can Affect More Than Your Joints
Hypermobility is often associated with joints that move beyond the usual range, but some people experience symptoms beyond the musculoskeletal system.
For individuals with hEDS or HSD, symptoms may include:
Joint pain, muscle discomfort, or recurrent injuries
Joints that feel unstable or move beyond a comfortable range
Fatigue and difficulty recovering after activity
Muscle tension from trying to stabilize joints
Gastrointestinal symptoms, such as reflux, constipation, abdominal pain, bloating, or nausea
Not everyone with hEDS or HSD experiences these symptoms, and gastrointestinal concerns can have many different causes. They should not automatically be attributed to hypermobility or EDS.
The Gut Symptoms People May Not Talk About
Some people living with hEDS or HSD also experience persistent digestive symptoms. These may include bloating, abdominal discomfort, constipation, reflux, nausea, or changes in bowel habits.
When digestive symptoms occur alongside chronic pain, fatigue, and joint instability, it can feel as though the body is dealing with several challenges at once. Symptoms may also fluctuate, making it difficult to identify patterns or understand what is contributing to them.
It is important to evaluate ongoing gastrointestinal symptoms rather than assume they are simply part of EDS. Depending on the symptoms, a healthcare professional may consider common digestive conditions, medication effects, dietary factors, or other medical causes.
If you are experiencing persistent abdominal pain, significant changes in bowel habits, difficulty swallowing, unexplained weight loss, blood in your stool, or ongoing vomiting, seek medical evaluation.
Frequency Specific Microcurrent (FSM): An Adjunctive Approach to Pain Management
One therapy I have found helpful in my own experience with hypermobility, as well as in caring for some of my patients, is Frequency Specific Microcurrent (FSM).
FSM is a form of microcurrent therapy that uses very low-level electrical currents. In my practice, we use wet towels to help transmit the current to the treatment area. The treatment approach is individualized based on the person’s symptoms and clinical assessment.
Many people describe the treatment as gentle, and some report feeling more comfortable afterward. Responses vary, and no therapy is guaranteed to provide relief.
It is important to understand that FSM has not been established as a treatment for EDS itself, and research specifically evaluating FSM for hEDS-related pain is limited. It should not be considered a cure or a replacement for medical care but can be helpful as an adjunct.
Instead, FSM may be considered as one possible addition to a broader pain-management plan when appropriate for the individual.
What Does an FSM Session Involve?
During an FSM session, wet towels are placed on selected areas of the body to help conduct the microcurrent. The practitioner applies the current using the treatment equipment and selects the areas and settings based on the individual’s symptoms and goals.
The treatment is intended to be gentle, and many people feel little or no sensation. The areas treated and the session approach depend on the person’s needs and clinical assessment.
Before beginning treatment, it is important to discuss your health history, current symptoms, implanted medical devices, and other relevant medical considerations with your healthcare provider.
What Can You Expect?
People respond differently to FSM. Some report feeling more comfortable after a session, while others notice little change or need a different approach.
When we consider FSM, we focus on your individual response and whether it is helping you work toward your goals—whether that means moving more comfortably, tolerating daily activities, or participating more fully in the things that matter to you.
FSM is one tool, not the entire plan. For people with hEDS or HSD, care may also involve movement modifications, strengthening, pacing, and coordination with other healthcare professionals.
Explore Pain-Management Options in Arvada and Longmont
If you live in Arvada, Longmont, or the surrounding Colorado communities and would like to explore options for managing pain associated with hypermobility, contact Alternative Family Medicine & Chiropractic to schedule an initial consultation. Your provider can discuss your symptoms and determine whether Frequency Specific Microcurrent (FSM) may be an appropriate addition to your care plan.