Connective Tissue & Hypermobility Pathway

Our rheumatologists are experts in diagnosing and managing the complex patterns of joint hypermobility, chronic pain, and systemic features that define EDS and HSD. They apply the latest diagnostic criteria with precision, distinguish your condition from other connective tissue disorders, and develop targeted treatment strategies that address both the underlying mechanisms and your daily symptoms. This isn't just joint care—it's comprehensive management of how connective tissue variation affects your entire body.

Integrative medicine bridges the gap between conventional medical treatment and evidence-based complementary approaches, recognizing that complex connective tissue conditions often require multifaceted solutions. Our practitioners combine pharmaceutical interventions with nutritional medicine, targeted supplementation, and lifestyle modifications to address inflammation, support tissue healing, and optimize your body's natural repair mechanisms. We explore the root causes of your symptoms while providing practical tools for long-term wellness.

Specialised physiotherapy for hypermobility goes far beyond general exercise—it's about teaching your body to find stability within flexibility. Our physiotherapists understand how hypermobile joints behave differently and develop targeted programmes focusing on proprioception, muscle activation patterns, and joint protection strategies. You'll learn movement techniques that reduce subluxations, build functional strength, and help you move with confidence rather than constant vigilance about your joints.

Pelvic floor dysfunction is remarkably common in people with connective tissue conditions, yet it's often overlooked or dismissed. Our pelvic physiotherapists provide specialized assessment and treatment for issues like pelvic organ prolapse, bladder and bowel dysfunction, pelvic pain, and sexual health concerns. Using gentle, evidence-based techniques, we help restore pelvic floor function while respecting the unique challenges that hypermobility brings to this sensitive area of care.

Living with chronic pain affects far more than your physical body—it reshapes how you think, feel, and engage with the world. Our pain psychologists specialize in helping you develop practical skills to manage pain flares, reduce anxiety around symptoms, and reclaim activities that matter to you. Through evidence-based approaches like cognitive behavioral therapy and mindfulness techniques, you'll build resilience and learn to separate your pain from your sense of self.

Digestive issues, food sensitivities, and nutritional deficiencies are common in connective tissue conditions, yet dietary management is often overlooked in traditional care. Our clinical dietitians understand the complex relationship between EDS/HSD and gastrointestinal function, developing personalised nutrition strategies to address symptoms like gastroparesis, MCAS reactions, and nutrient malabsorption. We help you navigate dietary triggers while ensuring optimal nutrition for tissue health and energy.

Exercise can feel impossible when your body seems unpredictable, but the right approach to movement is crucial for managing hypermobility conditions. Our exercise physiologists design individualised programmes that work with your body's unique patterns, focusing on cardiovascular health, strength building, and activity pacing without triggering symptom flares. We help you discover what movement feels good and sustainable, rather than forcing you into conventional fitness models that don't fit your physiology.

Hypermobility conditions can significantly impact sexual health and intimacy through pelvic pain, fatigue, joint instability, and the psychological effects of chronic illness. Our sexologists provide compassionate, specialized care addressing these challenges while helping you maintain or rediscover satisfying intimate relationships. We work with you and your partner(s) to find practical solutions and adaptive strategies that honor both your physical needs and emotional well-being.

Understanding the hereditary nature of connective tissue conditions is crucial for making informed family planning decisions. Our genetic counsellors provide comprehensive guidance about inheritance patterns, discuss the implications for future children, and support you through genetic testing decisions. Whether you're considering having children, are currently pregnant, or want to understand your family's genetic patterns, we offer expert, non-directive counselling that respects your values and choices.

The crushing fatigue experienced with EDS and HSD goes far beyond normal tiredness—it's a complex interplay of pain, dysautonomia, poor sleep, and metabolic dysfunction. Our fatigue specialists help you understand your unique fatigue patterns, develop energy conservation strategies, and optimise sleep quality. You'll learn pacing techniques that prevent boom-bust cycles and discover practical approaches to managing daily activities within your energy envelope.

Living well with a hypermobility condition requires developing a sophisticated toolkit of self-management strategies tailored to your specific needs and lifestyle. Our team teaches you evidence-based techniques for symptom tracking, trigger identification, stress management, and communication with healthcare providers. You'll gain confidence in making day-to-day decisions about activity, rest, and symptom management, transforming from a passive patient into an empowered advocate for your own health.