If you know you have joint hypermobility, or you’re one of those “bendy types”, chances are you may also have had your fair share of tummy troubles. Unexplained bloating, food sensitivities, IBS symptoms, or reflux to name a few. Sound familiar? You’re not imagining it, and it’s not “just IBS”. There’s growing evidence to support what many people with hypermobility have known for years: our joints and our guts are more connected than we once thought.

What Is Hypermobility?

Joint hypermobility refers to the ability to move joints beyond the normal range. For some, it’s a party trick, a super bendy thumb or the ability to do the splits. For others, it’s part of a broader systemic picture that includes pain, fatigue, and dysfunction across multiple body systems.

Hypermobility exists on a spectrum:

• Asymptomatic joint hypermobility – someone might be flexible or “double-jointed” with no pain or issues.
• Generalised joint hypermobility (GJH) – flexibility in multiple joints, sometimes linked with symptoms like pain or instability.
• Hypermobility spectrum disorders (HSD) – when joint hypermobility causes chronic musculoskeletal issues but doesn’t meet criteria for a genetic condition. May also cause gut symptoms.
• Hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (hEDS) – a heritable connective tissue disorder that affects not just joints but also the skin, blood vessels, and internal organs. People with hEDS may experience widespread pain, fatigue, and systemic issues, including gut problems.

Why Might Hypermobility Affect the Gut?

The key player here is connective tissue; the structural “glue” that holds everything together in the body. In people with hypermobility, connective tissue can be more elastic or fragile than usual, which doesn’t just affect joints and ligaments, it can also affect the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, which relies on connective tissue for integrity and function.

Possible Mechanisms:

1. Altered motility: Weakened connective tissue in the gut wall can lead to delayed gastric emptying (gastroparesis), sluggish bowel movements, or conversely, loose stools.
2. Increased gut sensitivity: People with hypermobility often have heightened nervous system sensitivity, contributing to pain perception and visceral hypersensitivity (where the gut overreacts to normal stimuli).
3. Autonomic nervous system dysregulation (POTS or dysautonomia): Common in EDS, this can impact digestion, blood flow to the gut, and transit time.
4. Impaired gut barrier function: Some studies suggest increased intestinal permeability (“leaky gut”) in hypermobile individuals, potentially leading to inflammation, food sensitivities, or immune reactions.
5. Histamine intolerance or mast cell activation: Many with hEDS or HSD experience mast cell issues, which can manifest as gut symptoms like bloating, nausea, reflux, or cramping after eating.

Common Gut Symptoms in Hypermobility

Many people with HSD or hEDS report overlapping gut symptoms, such as:

• Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) – constipation, diarrhoea, or alternating between the two
• Bloating and distension
• Food intolerances – especially to histamine, dairy, gluten, or FODMAPs
• Acid reflux or GERD
• Abdominal pain and cramping
• Early satiety or nausea after eating
• Constipation or slow gut transit

For some, these symptoms mimic or coexist with diagnosed GI conditions like Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth (SIBO), gastroparesis, or functional dyspepsia.

Why This Matters

Living with joint hypermobility can be challenging enough, but when persistent gut issues are added to the mix, it can become overwhelming. Because the link between the gut and connective tissue conditions hasn’t always been widely acknowledged, people are often passed from one specialist to another with little relief.

But things are changing. Greater awareness among clinicians, and growing research, means more integrated care is becoming possible. Nutrition, movement, and nervous system regulation can all play a powerful role in supporting both gut function and the wider symptoms of hypermobility.

What Can Help?

• Nutritional support: Tailored dietary approaches (e.g. low FODMAP, anti-inflammatory, or low-histamine diets) can reduce symptom burden but should be used with guidance.
• Nervous system regulation: Breathwork, vagus nerve stimulation, and trauma-informed practices can help calm the gut–brain axis.
• Movement: Gentle, joint-stabilising movement like Pilates, somatics, or low-impact strength training can support proprioception and reduce systemic stress.
• Functional testing: For those struggling with persistent symptoms, stool tests (like the GI360) or SIBO breath tests can identify root causes.
• Working with a knowledgeable practitioner: Someone who understands the nuances of hypermobility can help you navigate food, movement, and lifestyle choices without triggering overwhelm or flares.

It’s Not “Just IBS”

If you’re hypermobile and struggling with gut symptoms, know that you’re not alone. And no, it’s not “just IBS.” The connective tissue that makes you bendy might also be behind your bloating and tummy troubles. By understanding the root of these interconnected systems, you can start to make sense of your symptoms and build a gentler, more effective plan to support your wellbeing from the inside out.

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