If you’re an active adult or athlete with hypermobility, recovering from back pain can be especially frustrating. What works for most people—like stretching or simply “moving more”—can actually make things worse if your joints already move too much.
At Cohen Health and Performance, we often help hypermobile individuals recover from extension-related back injuries, which typically result from excessive compression of the spine during movement. You may have heard some of the more technical terms for these injuries—like spondylosis, spondylolisthesis, pars defects, or even stress fractures.
These types of injuries are common in athletes who spend a lot of time arching or extending through the low back—think gymnastics, dance, overhead lifting, and even running.
Why Hypermobility Needs a Different Approach
Hypermobility means your joints exceed normal range. While that can be an advantage in sports requiring flexibility, it places a higher demand on your muscles to create stability. This is especially important when it comes to the spine, where poor control can lead to repeated irritation or injury.
If you’re recovering from an extension-based back injury—one where backward bending has caused too much load through the joints in the spoine—your recovery needs to be just as specific as your condition.
How Physical Therapy Can Help
At Cohen Health and Performance, our physical therapists work directly with hypermobile patients to restore safe movement and prevent re-injury. Our approach focuses on:
- Stabilizing the spine by improving deep core work
- Distributing movement across the hips, shoulders, and thoracic spine rather than dumping into the low back
- Progressively retraining lumbar extension, so it’s controlled and not reliant on end-range joint motion
- Building strength to support hypermobile joints through all phases of movement
We don’t just chase flexibility or range—we build the foundation for controlled, purposeful movement that leads to long-term results.
Recovering Extension the Right Way
Extension is a normal and necessary part of athletic movement—but when it happens excessively or without control, it can lead to spinal compression and pain. Here’s how we approach it in the clinic:
- Train Core Control First
Your core muscles are your spine’s best defense against compression. We teach you how to activate and coordinate these muscles—especially in positions of extension—so that your spine is protected, not overloaded. - Use the Hips and Shoulders
Movement should be shared—not isolated. Our physical therapists help you restore mobility and coordination in the hips and shoulders so that the lumbar spine isn’t forced to do all the work. - Control Mid-Range Before Deep Range
Hypermobility often comes with a tendency to hang out in end-range. We train you to control movement through more mid-range positions first, before carefully progressing to deeper extension with purpose and strength. - Build Strategic Strength
Strength is one of the most important tools in hypermobility rehab. We customize strength programs to support your spine and joints so you can move powerfully without pain.
Our Goal: Help You Stay Active, Pain-Free, and Performing
Whether you’re a gymnast, a weightlifter, or simply someone who likes to push yourself physically, we understand how important your activity is to you. At Cohen Health and Performance, we don’t just help you get out of pain—we help you move with confidence and longevity.
