If you live with Hypermobility Spectrum Disorder (HSD) or Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS), you likely know that your body often feels like a puzzle with pieces that won’t stay in place. While the world might admire your “flexibility,” you know the reality: joint instability, chronic fatigue, and a deep-seated feeling that your body is fragile. In the pursuit of relief, many of my clients in Grand Rapids have been caught in a cycle of seeking the next “adjustment” or relying on a reductionist view of their health provided by a scan.
But managing hypermobility is not about a quick fix. It’s about understanding that the human body is an incredibly complex, interconnected system. At Alexandra Osteopilates, my approach is rooted over 25 years of clinical experience and a genuine passion for getting to the real root cause of your pain. I don’t just look at where it hurts today; I look at your movement patterns, your lifestyle, and your unique biomechanics to help you restore lasting strength.
Osteopathy vs. Chiropractic: The Differences for Hypermobile Bodies
A common question I hear in West Michigan is whether someone with EDS should see an osteopath or a chiropractor. While both manual therapies can be valuable, the philosophy behind them is often quite different—especially for those with fragile connective tissue.
- The Chiropractic Approach: Traditionally, chiropractic care focuses heavily on spinal alignment and the “adjustment”—a high-velocity, low-amplitude (HVLA) thrust. For some hypermobile individuals, frequent, forceful adjustments can actually increase instability by over-stretching already lax ligaments.
- The Osteopathic Approach: As a British-trained osteopath, my work is grounded in the body’s innate self-healing mechanisms. I use a wide range of gentle, manual techniques—such as myofascial release, joint articulation, and muscle energy techniques—to facilitate better fluid flow and joint position without forcing the body. We don’t just “crack” a joint back into place; we work with the soft tissues to ensure the body can sustain its alignment.
For hypermobile clients, we prioritize stability over mobility. We aren’t looking for more range; we are looking for better control of the range you already have.
Pilates as “Intelligent Rehabilitation”
If osteopathy provides the “reset” your body needs, Pilates is the “programming” that makes it stick. However, not all Pilates is created equal. For someone with hEDS or HSD, a traditional, “stretch-heavy” class can be detrimental.
At my East Grand Rapids studio, I use the Classical Pilates Method as a form of intelligent rehabilitation. Being a 2nd-generation teacher—trained by Joseph Pilates’ own protégé—means I preserve the original intent of the work: Contrology.
1. Building a “Strong Corset”
For hypermobile bodies, the goal of Pilates is to develop deep, stabilizing strength. We use Gratz equipment—the gold standard of the industry—to provide external resistance and feedback. This helps you find your “mid-range” rather than “hanging” on your joints in hyperextension. We focus on building a strong core “corset” that protects the spine and stabilizes the pelvis.
2. Improving Proprioception
Many people with EDS struggle with proprioception—the body’s ability to sense where it is in space. This is why you might feel clumsy or prone to “micro-injuries.” The precise, mindful movements of Classical Pilates retrain your brain and body to communicate more effectively, allowing you to move with intention rather than just “powering through.”
3. Fascia-Informed Movement
Hypermobility is a systemic issue of the connective tissue (fascia). My approach blends evidence-based research with a hands-on understanding of how fascia responds to load. We move away from hollowing or “gripping” the core, which can lead to pelvic floor dysfunction or breathing issues, and toward functional, integrated movement.
There are No Quick Fixes
Healing a hypermobile body is a journey, not a destination. There are no quick fixes because we are working with the very fabric of your body. It takes time to undo years of compensatory patterns and to teach your muscles to do the job your ligaments cannot.
This is why my sessions are personalized and adaptive. We might spend part of your hour using osteopathic manual therapy to calm a flared nervous system or address an acute subluxation, and the rest on the Reformer or Wunda Chair building the strength to prevent it from happening again.
Moving Beyond “Fragile”
One of the most rewarding parts of my work in Grand Rapids is seeing a client move from a place of fear—feeling like their body is a “broken machine”—to a place of empowerment. By trusting your body’s self-healing mechanisms and providing it with the right structural support, you can move toward a life of vitality and strength.
If you are tired of reductionist treatments and are looking for a practitioner who sees the whole, interconnected you, I invite you to start a new chapter in your health journey.