Straight Talk: Understanding the Link Between Hypermobility and Scoliosis
- Ines Illipse
- Oct 27
- 6 min read
How your flexible body, connective tissue, and nervous system shape your spine, and how to find balance again.
For many people living with hypermobility or Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS), the word “alignment” feels like a moving target. Some days, your body flows effortlessly; other days, holding yourself upright feels like a quiet battle against gravity. If you’ve ever noticed uneven shoulders, shifting posture, or persistent back discomfort, and wondered if it could be scoliosis, you’re not alone.
Research suggests that up to 29% of adults with hypermobile EDS show signs of scoliosis. In children and adolescents, the overlap is even higher; one study found over half (51%) of those with idiopathic scoliosis also showed joint hypermobility. This isn’t a coincidence. It’s a reflection of how connective tissue shapes every structure, from your ligaments to your spine.
Scoliosis and hypermobility often travel together, but this connection is rarely explained clearly. Understanding why this happens and how you can care for your spine holistically — can transform frustration into informed, compassionate action.
What Is Scoliosis?
Scoliosis means a sideways curvature of the spine when viewed from behind, the spine isn’t straight but forms a gentle “S” or “C” shape. The curve can happen in the upper back (thoracic), lower back (lumbar), or both. In some people, the rotation of the spine also makes one shoulder, ribcage, or hip appear higher than the other.
There are different types of scoliosis, each with its own cause and pattern:
Idiopathic scoliosis – the most common form, where the cause isn’t fully understood (often seen in adolescents).
Congenital scoliosis – caused by vertebral abnormalities present from birth.
Neuromuscular scoliosis – linked to muscle tone or nerve control issues (like cerebral palsy or muscular dystrophy).
Functional or connective-tissue-related scoliosis; seen in conditions like hypermobility and Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS), where ligament laxity and muscular imbalance allow the spine to curve over time.
There’s also a rare subtype of Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome, called kyphoscoliotic EDS (kEDS), where progressive spinal curvature is a defining feature. This blog will focus mainly on the scoliosis patterns connected to hypermobility and EDS, where the curvature develops as part of the body’s response to weak connective tissue and asymmetrical muscle support; rather than structural bone deformities.
Why Hypermobility and Scoliosis Overlap
At first glance, scoliosis (a sideways curvature of the spine) and hypermobility (excess joint flexibility) may seem unrelated. But both are deeply rooted in the connective tissue — the collagen-based framework that holds your body together.
In hypermobility and EDS, collagen can be more elastic or fragile than average. This affects the stability of ligaments and the tension of the tissues that anchor the spine. Over time, this imbalance allows spinal structures to shift or adapt asymmetrically, especially during growth periods.
🧬 Key factors:
Ligamentous laxity: The spine’s supporting ligaments may be too stretchy to maintain symmetrical alignment.
Muscular compensation: Muscles work harder to stabilize loose joints, but often unevenly — leading to one side becoming overactive or fatigued.
Proprioceptive differences: With altered body awareness (common in hypermobility), subtle asymmetries can develop unnoticed until they’re more pronounced.
Growth and load: During puberty or long sedentary periods, these factors may combine to create or amplify a spinal curve.
In short, scoliosis in hypermobility isn’t just a “bone problem.” It’s a systemic response of soft tissues, muscles, and the nervous system adapting to structural instability.
Feet, Hips, and the Foundation of Alignment
In many cases, scoliosis isn’t just about the spine — it starts from the ground up.
Feet: Hypermobile people often have flat or pronated feet, which alter how weight travels through the body. When one foot collapses inward, the pelvis tilts, setting off a chain reaction that can affect the spine’s curve.
Hips: A common pattern in hypermobility is a “hiked” or rotated hip, where one side lifts or rotates forward. The spine then compensates with an opposite curve to rebalance the body in space. Over time, these subtle shifts can create — or reinforce — scoliosis.
Your body isn’t “broken”; it’s adapting to keep you upright and functional in a flexible system.Understanding where these asymmetries start is the first step toward working with them, not against them.
How It Feels and Appears
Scoliosis linked with hypermobility often looks and feels different from the classic textbook version. It’s usually functional (flexible) rather than fixed — meaning the curve can change with movement or fatigue.
Common signs and sensations:
Uneven shoulders, hips, or ribs — especially after standing or sitting for long periods.
Back pain or stiffness that moves sides or varies day to day.
One side feeling “tighter” or more easily strained.
Shallow breathing or difficulty expanding one side of the ribcage.
Fatigue, dizziness, or discomfort when trying to sit or stand upright for long.
Difficulty finding comfortable sleeping positions.
These symptoms can be subtle yet exhausting — especially when combined with autonomic challenges (like POTS) or chronic pain sensitivity common in hEDS/HSD.
How the Brain and Spine Communicate
Many people with hypermobility also identify as neurodivergent — including those with ADHD, autism, or sensory processing differences. This connection extends to how we feel, move, and process body signals.
🌿 How neurodiversity ties in:
Body awareness (interoception & proprioception): The brain may interpret body position and muscle feedback differently, making it harder to notice subtle asymmetries or postural strain.
Sensory regulation: Visual or vestibular sensitivities can influence posture and balance — for example, leaning away from bright light or sound can subtly shape how the spine aligns.
Attention & pacing: When focus fluctuates (as in ADHD), posture may unconsciously shift — leading to habitual asymmetries over time.
Emotional embodiment: Stress or sensory overload can cause protective postures — tightening one side of the body, curling inward, or holding the breath.
Understanding scoliosis through this lens helps us see it not just as a structural deviation, but as part of a whole-body sensory and nervous system pattern.
Holistic Support for the Hypermobile Spine
While traditional scoliosis care often focuses on bracing or strengthening one side, hypermobile bodies need a gentler, more integrative approach — one that respects tissue sensitivity, proprioceptive differences, and nervous system balance.
🌸 Key elements of holistic care:
Awareness Before Alignment
Notice your posture throughout the day without judgment. Small moments of mindful awareness — like feeling both feet grounded or softening your breath — gradually retrain your nervous system to find balance.
Gentle, Functional Movement
Focus on quality over quantity:
Isometric holds (like gentle wall push-backs or supported bridges) to activate deep stabilizers.
Dynamic balance exercises (like gentle weight shifting or single-leg stance) to build symmetrical awareness.
Fascial release with slow, mindful stretching or rolling to reduce one-sided tightness.
Breathing and Rib Mobility
Breathing is one of the most powerful ways to influence your spine. Try lying on your back and breathing into the “quiet” side of your ribs — helping to restore even expansion and calm your vagus nerve.
Proprioceptive Re-education
Simple tools like wobble cushions, therapy balls, or even mindful walking can improve your brain’s map of your body, supporting alignment naturally.
Nervous System Regulation
Calm is corrective. Practices like grounding, humming, gentle eye movements, or slow exhalation reduce muscle guarding and help the spine unwind.
Nourish from within
Support your connective tissue health through collagen-supporting nutrients:
Vitamin C (for collagen synthesis)
Zinc and copper (for tissue repair)
Omega-3s (for inflammation modulation)
These don’t “fix” scoliosis, but they can help your tissues recover and adapt better.Always consult your healthcare provider before adding new supplements.
🩺 When the Curve Needs More Support
In some cases, scoliosis may require additional structural support beyond movement and self-regulation practices. For more significant spinal curves, bracing or casting can help stabilize alignment and reduce progression — often working best in combination with gentle movement, breathing, and proprioceptive work.
In more severe cases, where the spinal curve (often measured as a Cobb angle over 50 degrees) continues to progress despite conservative care, surgical intervention may be recommended. This step is usually considered only after exploring all other supportive options.
At ParaMotion, we believe that these medical approaches can still be integrated into a holistic, compassionate framework — one that nurtures both structure and nervous system balance, honoring your whole self along the way.
A Kind Reminder 🌼
If you live with both hypermobility and scoliosis, it’s understandable to feel frustrated or disconnected from your body at times. You may not always feel “balanced” — and that’s okay. Your body isn’t failing you; it’s doing its best to adapt to the unique materials and signals it’s been given.
Every breath, every small awareness, every act of gentle movement is a conversation of trust between you and your spine. At ParaMotion, we believe that understanding your body is not about fixing it — it’s about listening to it, one curve, one breath, one motion at a time.
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