10/20/2025
Most of us grow up hearing that stretching “lengthens muscles” or “loosens joints.” But when it comes stretching, we are making changes to the nervous system, not true muscle length. This is important when we are thinking about those with hypermobility or connective tissue disorder.
When you stretch, your muscles don’t actually grow longer. Instead, your nervous system is deciding how much tension is safe. In hypermobile people, this “safety threshold” is often set differently, the body may allow excessive range without sending strong protective signals. This can feel like you’re very flexible, but it also increases the risk of overstretching tissues because you already lack the stability in your joints.
What’s Really Happening When You Stretch
That’s why stretching often feels good in the moment but may leave hypermobile clients more sore later. Your nervous system relaxes its guard temporarily, but your joints pay the price.
The solution isn’t to avoid stretching altogether, but to reframe it:
- Prioritize active mobility over prolonged passive stretching.
- Build awareness of when you are pushing a joint too far, and find ways to feel a stretch without overstraining your joints.
- Pair gentle stretches with stability work so your nervous system learns to “trust” the range.
- Use breathwork to calm the nervous system without tugging on already lax tissues.
Stretching, when done with awareness, becomes less about lengthening and more about teaching your body how to move safely within its unique limits.
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