Welcome to Max Unwin Sports Therapy
My Journey with Joint Hypermobility
Joint hypermobility is often misunderstood. While some people think of it as simply being "more flexible," those living with the condition know it can have a significant impact on everyday life. Pain, instability, recurrent injuries, and a loss of confidence in movement are common experiences. Because symptoms vary so much from person to person, hypermobility can be difficult to diagnose, understand, and manage effectively.
My own journey with hypermobility began in childhood. Growing up, I regularly experienced joint pain, although at the time it was often dismissed of simply a consequence of being active. I trained and competed in judo from a young age, attending training twice a week and competing regularly, but I frequently dealt with aches and injuries that never seemed to affect those around me in the same way.
It wasn't until I was 16 years old, when I dislocated my knee during a judo competition, that the underlying cause of my symptoms was finally recognised. Despite this diagnosis, I still wasn't fully aware of the long-term impact hypermobility would have on my life.
While studying at university, I suffered a shoulder dislocation, which unfortunately became the start of recurring injury that has continued over the years. Like many people living with hypermobility, I experienced the frustration of never fully trusting my joints, constantly worrying about another injury, and having to adapt or avoid activities that I enjoyed.
Living with hypermobility has given me an understanding that goes beyond textbooks and clinical training. I know how frustrating it can be when pain persists without a clear explanation. I understand how easy it is to lose confidence in exercise after repeated injuries and how difficult it can be to find healthcare professionals who truly understand the condition.
Alongside my clinical practice, I have developed a particular academic interest in joint hypermobility. During my studies, I completed two research projects focused on the condition. The first explored the prevalence of joint hypermobility, its effect on quality of life, and the relationship between hypermobility and musculoskeletal pain. The second investigated the current understanding of joint hypermobility among Physiotherapists, Osteopaths, and Sports Therapists, examining common assessment methods, treatment approaches, and clinicians' confidence in managing hypermobile patients.
As both a Sports Therapist and someone who has lived with hypermobility, I appreciate that every patient is different. There is no one-size-fits-all approach. My aim is to help you understand your body, improve joint stability, reduce pain, and rebuild confidence through personalised rehabilitation and strength programmes designed around your individual goals.
If you're living with hypermobility, you're not alone. With the right education, structured exercise, and ongoing support, it is possible to build strength, improve joint stability, reduce the risk of injury, and regain confidence in movement. My goal is to use both my personal experience and clinical expertise to help you achieve exactly that.
Joint Hypermobility Treatment & Rehabilitation
Helping You Move With Confidence, Not Fear
Living with hypermobility can be frustrating.
Whether you've been diagnosed with Hypermobility Spectrum Disorder (HSD), Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (hEDS), or simply know you've always been "double-jointed", everyday movements can lead to pain, repeated injuries and a loss of confidence in exercise.
At Max Unwin Sports Therapy, treatment is about much more than relieving today's pain. The aim is to improve joint stability, reduce injury risk and help you regain confidence in your body through personalised rehabilitation.
What is Joint Hypermobility?
Joint hypermobility means your joints move beyond the normal range due to increased ligament laxity. While some people experience no symptoms, others develop ongoing pain, instability and frequent injuries.
Common symptoms include:
✔ Recurrent sprains or strains
✔ Joint pain that moves between different areas
✔ Feeling unstable during exercise
✔ Clicking, popping or joints giving way
✔ Recurrent shoulder, knee or ankle injuries
✔ Neck and back pain
✔ Muscle fatigue
✔ Poor balance or coordination
✔ Difficulty recovering from exercise
Every person presents differently, which is why treatment should never be a "one size fits all" programme. Improving muscle strength and control is a key part of managing symptomatic hypermobility.
Why Does Exercise Sometimes Make Things Worse?
Many people with hypermobility are given generic strengthening exercises.
Unfortunately, these programmes often:
- Progress too quickly
- Overstretch already lax joints
- Don't address poor movement control
- Focus on flexibility rather than stability
- Increase pain instead of improving it
Our rehabilitation programmes are designed specifically for hypermobile individuals, prioritising movement quality before strength, and strength before high-impact activity.
How Max Unwin Sports Therapy Can Help
Your assessment includes far more than identifying where the pain is.
We assess:
- Joint stability
- Muscle strength
- Balance and proprioception
- Movement patterns
- Posture
- Walking and running mechanics
- Previous injuries
- Lifestyle and sporting goals
Following assessment, treatment may include:
Manual Therapy
Reducing muscular tension that develops from overworking muscles trying to stabilise unstable joints.
Sports Massage
Helping improve movement quality while reducing pain and muscle fatigue.
Personalised Rehabilitation
Progressive strengthening designed around your individual weaknesses and goals.
Movement Retraining
Teaching your body how to move more efficiently while avoiding unnecessary joint stress.
Education
Helping you understand your condition and giving you the confidence to exercise safely.
Rehabilitation That Progresses With You
Unlike generic exercise sheets, your programme develops alongside your progress.
Depending on your goals this may include:
Early Stage
- Pain management
- Core stability
- Scapular control
- Hip stability
- Foot stability
- Balance training
Intermediate Stage
- Progressive resistance training
- Functional strengthening
- Single-leg control
- Dynamic balance
- Controlled loading
Advanced Stage
- Return to gym
- Running progression
- Sport-specific rehabilitation
- Plyometrics
- Injury prevention strategies
The goal isn't simply reducing pain.
It's helping you build a body that becomes more resilient over time.
Who Can Benefit?
This service is suitable for:
- Hypermobility Spectrum Disorder (HSD)
- Hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (hEDS)
- Generalised Joint Hypermobility
- Frequent sprains
- Recurrent shoulder instability
- Patella instability
- Chronic ankle instability
- Recurrent back pain
- Persistent tendon problems
- Individuals who feel they "injure easily"
Why Choose Max Unwin Sports Therapy?
Unlike many clinics, hypermobility is an area of particular interest.
Max has:
✔ Master's Degree in Sports Therapy
✔ Undergraduate Degree in Sports & Exercise Science
✔ Research experience investigating Joint Hypermobility
✔ Experience treating patients aged 12–85
✔ Personalised rehabilitation plans designed specifically around hypermobility
Treatment focuses on understanding why injuries continue to occur—not just treating the painful area. This whole-body approach is a key part of the clinic's philosophy.
Patient Success
"I found Max in a desperate search for some kind of answer to my hypermobility. I'd lost all confidence in exercise after seeming to injure myself with everything I tried. Max has been amazing. I've got my confidence back for exercise and noticed a massive change in all parts of my body that I thought would never recover. I can't recommend him enough."
Why Choose Max Unwin Sports Therapy?
1. Currently working with a range of patients aged 12 to 85.
2. Uses knowledge of sport and personal training to provide personal rehabilitation plans.
3. Has gained experience working in private practice and elite sport.
4. Specialises in treatment and rehabilitation of Joint Hypermobility.
Sports Therapy
Cupping Therapy
Sports Therapy
Detailed assessment, manual techniques and personalised exercise prescription to provide effective injury rehabilitation.
Sports Massage
Cupping Therapy
Sports Therapy
Relieving Muscular tension to decrease pain, enhance mobility and increase quality of life.
Cupping Therapy
Cupping Therapy
Personal Training
Alternative Medicine to Increase Blood Flow and Speed Up Recovery Times.
Personal Training
Personal Training
Personal Training
Personalised exercise plans to improve strength and reduce risk of injury.
Other Treatments
Personal Training
Other Treatments
Take a look at all of the treatments we provide at Max Unwin Sports Therapy.