Hypermobility and the Upper Cervical Spine: Understanding the Connection

Why joint laxity affects neck stability, balance, posture, and long-term function

Hypermobility exists on a spectrum. Some people are mildly flexible or “double-jointed,” while others experience more significant ligament laxity that affects multiple joints. At one end of this spectrum is Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS), a connective tissue disorder that can involve widespread instability, slower healing, and increased sensitivity to mechanical stress. Most individuals with hypermobility are not diagnosed with EDS—but they still live with symptoms that come from joints that move too much and muscles that have to work overtime to create stability.

The neck, and especially the upper cervical spine, is one of the regions most affected by hypermobility. The atlas (C1) and axis (C2) rely on small but strong ligaments to maintain alignment and provide the right mix of stability and mobility. When these ligaments are more flexible than average, the joints can move excessively with normal daily activities, leading to compensations throughout the body.

Why the Upper Cervical Region Matters in Hypermobility

1. Ligament laxity affects joint position and control

Hypermobile joints can shift more easily, which makes it harder for the nervous system to know exactly where the head and neck are in space. This can affect balance, coordination, and posture.

2. Muscles work harder to create stability

When ligaments don’t provide enough passive support, muscles tighten to compensate. Many hypermobile individuals experience chronic neck tension—not because the muscles are “tight” by nature, but because they are overworking to hold things together.

3. Proprioception can become less precise

If the brain is getting inconsistent feedback from the upper neck, symptoms such as dizziness, motion sensitivity, headaches, or a sense of being “on high alert” can develop.

4. Small misalignments may be more impactful

Even subtle shifts in the atlas or axis can create noticeable symptoms in someone with hypermobility, simply because the system is already working near its stability threshold.

Hypermobility vs. Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS): How They Differ

General hypermobility

• More common

• Often mild to moderate

• Usually joint-specific

• No systemic connective tissue disorder

• Symptoms mainly involve instability, tension, and fatigue

Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome

• A medical diagnosis involving connective tissue genes

• Can include widespread ligament laxity

• Often affects skin, blood vessels, and other systems

• Requires multidisciplinary management

• Neck instability may be more pronounced

Upper cervical care can be supportive for both, but expectations, frequency, and stability goals may differ. The care should always match the patient’s specific presentation—not the label.

How Upper Cervical Care Supports Hypermobility

Upper cervical chiropractic does not “tighten ligaments” or “fix” connective tissue conditions. Instead, it focuses on improving alignment, proprioception, and neuromuscular control so the body can function with more stability and less strain.

Key benefits of a gentle, precise upper cervical approach:

• Improved joint mechanics
Precise corrections help the head and neck sit in a more balanced position, reducing the workload on overactive muscles.

• Better proprioceptive feedback
When the upper neck is aligned, the brain receives clearer information about head position, which can reduce dizziness, motion sensitivity, and postural fatigue.

• Less tension and compensation
Many hypermobile patients report relief from the chronic, guarded muscle tone around the upper neck.

• No twisting or cracking
Because Blair Technique adjustments are low-force and based on imaging, they are often well-tolerated by individuals with ligament laxity.

• Objective tracking
Tools like balance testing, posture analysis, and CBCT imaging help track changes over time and ensure the correction remains stable.

Hypermobility Care at Upper Cervical Chiropractic Encinitas

At Upper Cervical Chiropractic Encinitas, hypermobility is approached with precision and intention. Care includes:

• 3D CBCT imaging to assess the exact position of the atlas and axis

• Gentle, specific adjustments with no twisting or cracking

• Monitoring of stability over time, not constant adjusting

• Supportive education on posture, proprioception, and long-term neck health

• A calm, low-force approach ideal for people who are sensitive to aggressive care

The goal is improved stability, clearer neurological communication, and reduced strain on a system that already works harder than average to stay balanced.

If you’ve been looking for a gentle, detailed upper cervical approach that understands hypermobility, you’re in the right place.