What is Hypermobility?

Hypermobility simply means that some or all of your joints move beyond the normal range expected for that joint. For many people, this flexibility is harmless; a natural variation often seen in dancers, gymnasts, various ethnicities or children.

However, for others, hypermobility can come with pain, fatigue, instability, or repeated injuries, which may point to an underlying connective tissue condition. Recognising and testing for hypermobility is the first step toward understanding what your body needs.

There is no “gold standard” for measuring hypermobility, however the most common way to check for joint hypermobility is by using the Beighton Score, a quick and easy test of flexibility.

What is the Beighton Score test?

The Beighton Score test is the most widely recognised hypermobility test used around the world to assess how flexible your joints are. Originally developed by Professor Peter Beighton in the 1970s, the test provided doctors and researchers with a quick, reliable way to measure generalised joint hypermobility [1]. However, this test focuses more on the upper limb and provides less information about the lower limbs [2].

The Beighton test is simple and non-invasive. It assigns points for flexibility in five key parts of the body, creating a nine-point scale that indicates how much a person’s joints move beyond the typical range:

Each positive result scores one point. A higher Beighton test score (typically 6 or more) may suggest generalised joint hypermobility, though interpretation can vary based on age, sex, and ethnicity. For instance, children and women often score higher due to naturally greater flexibility, while adults may show less range as tissues stiffen over time.

When used as part of a full hypermobility assessment, the Beighton Score helps clinicians decide whether additional evaluation is appropriate, such as a formal diagnosis of hypermobility-related conditions.

How the Beighton Test for Hypermobility is performed

The Beighton score can be done quickly by a trained clinician such as a GP, physiotherapist, occupational therapist, rheumatologist or exercise physiologist. It’s a visual and physical test – no imaging or scans are required.

For a faster (non-clinical) approach, you can also try the Beighton test at home using online guides (for example, our Self-Screening Tool), but professional assessment is always recommended for accuracy and safety. A clinician will also consider:

• Your symptoms (pain, fatigue, instability)
• Your medical history
• Any injuries or dislocations
• Family history of connective tissue conditions

Other Hypermobility Tests and criteria

While the Beighton Score is the starting point, it’s not the whole picture. Other systems help determine whether hypermobility is part of a broader condition:

• Brighton Criteria: A diagnostic framework previously used to identify Joint Hypermobility Syndrome (JHS). It incorporates the Beighton Score and additional symptoms such as chronic pain, joint instability, and systemic involvement. It has largely been replaced by the 2017 hEDS criteria (which is also now undergoing review).
• Five-Point Questionnaire: A quick self-report tool used in some clinics to identify people who may have generalised joint hypermobility, or who don’t make the Beighton cut off but are over 50 years old.
• Clinical Evaluation: For some, particularly adults, the Beighton Score may underestimate hypermobility, clinicians often look beyond the nine joints to other signs of connective tissue laxity.

These additional tools are used for reference and context, not to replace professional assessment.

Hypermobility, HSD & Hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (hEDS)

It is important to note that not everyone with joint hypermobility has Hypermobility Spectrum Disorder (HSD) or Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS).

In fact, many people who pass the Beighton test are simply flexible without it causing any health problems. However, some individuals experience pain, fatigue, instability, or frequent injuries alongside hypermobility – and these symptoms may indicate a broader condition such as HSD or, in some cases, Hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (hEDS).

Understanding the difference between generalised hypermobility, HSD, and hEDS is important because each relates to different body impacts that then changes overall management, and medical oversight. While the Beighton Score can help identify flexibility, a full diagnosis depends on a clinical assessment (and sometimes specialist referral) that considers symptoms, family history, and other connective-tissue features.

Refer to our article Why getting the correct hypermobility disorder diagnosis matters for more information.

Hypermobility testing: Start with Self-Screening

If you’re curious about whether you might have generalised joint hypermobility, a good place to begin is with our Self-Screening Test. The Hypermobility Health Connect Self-Screening Tool is not a medical diagnosis, but rather a quick and simple way to explore your flexibility and symptoms from home.

It helps you understand how your results compare with current clinical approaches, including the Beighton Score, and includes additional screening for HSD and hEDS conditions.

This Self-Screening Test provides an easy, evidence-based way to:

• Assess your joint flexibility and related symptoms
• See how your Beighton Score aligns with recognised hypermobility frameworks
• Generate a personalised summary PDF report you can share with your GP, physiotherapist, or specialist for further evaluation

It’s a fast and informative first step toward understanding your body – and knowing when professional assessment may be helpful.

References

[1] Beighton P, Solomon L, Soskolne CL. Articular mobility in an African population. Ann Rheum Dis. 1973;32(5):413–418. Doi: 10.1136/ard.32.5.413.
[2] Malek S, Reinhold EJ, Pearce GS. The Beighton Score as a measure of generalised joint hypermobility. Rheumatology Int. 2021 Oct;41(10):1707-1716. Doi: 10.1007/s00296-021-04832-4. EPub 2021 Mar 18. PMID: 33738549; PMCID: PMC8390395.