Hypermobility in Dancers: When Extra Range of Motion Becomes a Risk

Hypermobility: A Superpower —

and a Responsibility

“I didn’t know being hypermobile could cause so many problems!”

I hear this from dancers all the time.

Hypermobility is incredibly common in dancers — and yes, it can be a gift. That extra range of motion allows for beautiful lines, extensions, and artistry that set dancers apart. But without the right strength, control, and neuromuscular awareness, that same mobility can increase the risk of pain, instability, and injury.

At Dancer’s Choice Physical Therapy in Austin, we don’t try to take away your mobility. We teach your body how to control it.

Why Hypermobility Can Lead to Injury

Hypermobility itself isn’t the problem. The issue arises when:

• Strength doesn’t match mobility 

• Stabilizing muscles aren’t doing their job 

• The nervous system struggles with joint awareness (proprioception) 

• Larger muscles compensate for smaller stabilizers 

• Joints spend too much time at end-range without support

For many hypermobile dancers, being “far outside the normal range” feels normal. That makes it harder for the brain to accurately sense where the joint is in space — which increases the risk of sprains, tendinopathy, and overuse injuries.

Why Strength Training Looks Different for Hypermobile Dancers

Hypermobility requires intentional strength and neuromuscular training, not generic conditioning.

In physical therapy, we often focus on: 

✔ strengthening smaller stabilizing muscles 

✔ building support from larger muscle groups when needed 

✔ improving joint control throughout the full range 

✔ retraining the brain and body to communicate more clearly 

✔ enhancing proprioception and motor control

This is not about limiting movement — it’s about creating stability within mobility so dancers can move freely and safely.

The Role of Neuromuscular Re-Education

One of the most overlooked pieces of hypermobility care is neuromuscular re-education.

Because hypermobile joints don’t always give clear feedback, dancers may struggle to sense: 

• joint position 

• end-range control 

• mid-range stability 

• load tolerance

Through targeted physical therapy exercises, we retrain the nervous system so your brain has a better sense of where your body is in space — improving efficiency, confidence, and injury resilience.

What This Means for Dancers

If you’re hypermobile and experiencing: 

• recurring injuries 

• joint instability 

• pain that “comes out of nowhere” and tends to move around a lot

• difficulty maintaining control at end-range 

• fatigue despite strong technique

It may not be a mobility issue at all — it’s often a strength and control issue.

At Dancer’s Choice Physical Therapy, we design customized treatment and strength programming that respects the demands of dance while supporting long-term performance and career longevity.

Ready to Dance Stronger — Not Just Stretch Further?

If you’re a dancer in Austin looking for a physical therapist that understands hypermobility, performance demands, and the unique needs of dancers, I’d love to work with you!

👉 Schedule a session with us to learn how strength, stability, and neuromuscular training can support your mobility