Dancing and EDS/HSD

Will I be able to dance? Flexibility is one of the greatest assets for dancers. When it comes to joint hypermobility spectrum disorders (HSD) and hypermobile EDS (hEDS), flexibility acts as a two-edged sword. It can help range of motion – an advantage for dancers, but also potentially raising the occurrence of joint related problems. Using the Beighton criteria, one recent study showed that 64.9% of dancers suffer from joint hypermobility syndromes, the previous term for HSD. When dancing, the musculoskeletal system is constantly under shear stress by movement patterns. These are required in professional dancing, putting one at risk for injury because of the laxity of the ligaments and joint capsules, causing disrupted joint stability. Therefore, it is crucial to determine physical and behavioral characteristics associated with injury prevention to support dancers over the long term.

Dancers are prone to maximal lumbar extension due to the involvement of static and dynamic postures contributing to chronic pain. The initial step to treatment is first identifying and addressing the significant symptoms of dancers. Chronic pain, fatigue, recurrent injuries, subluxation, and overuse injuries are the most common presentations associated with hEDS/HSD. The above study showed that 56.5% of dancers displayed chronic lumbar pain (>3 months) indicating the necessity of pain prevention measures for dancers. There is no study indicating if there is any specific form of dance that increases the risk of injury or limits dance abilities. As hEDS involves functional and psychological components, awareness helps diagnose and prevent early-stage complications.

To answer the question, individuals with HSD/hEDS can dance with certain modifications and in some cases it has shown to possibly contribute to a higher quality of life. HSD/hEDS specialists and physical therapists are vital in providing muscle strengthening programs. Dancers are educated  on how to avoid overstretching, stretch their mid-ranges without their knees locked, and help with joint stabilization. Exercise is not the cure, but exercise maintenance helps prevent injuries related to HSD/hEDS. Awareness through support groups groups  and addressing the symptoms are essential to the journey. Let's not let any limitations stop us from dancing, but instead overcome these limitations by dancing out the right way.

Author: Mahima Master, MBBS