Is It Deconditioning or Something More?

If you’ve been told your symptoms are due to “deconditioning” — and that all you need is to get moving again — you’re not alone.

Sometimes, that’s partially true. But for people with hypermobility, chronic pain, POTS, or connective tissue disorders, the story is a lot more complex.

What is deconditioning?

It refers to the physical effects of inactivity: loss of muscle mass, lower cardiovascular endurance, slower recovery. It’s real — and common.

But here’s the problem: it’s often used as a catch-all diagnosis, especially for patients whose symptoms don’t fit a neat box.

What might be missed?

• Joint instability causing movement fear

• Dysautonomia making exercise unsafe

• Chronic fatigue and post-exertional malaise (PEM)

• Pain flares from even light activity

• Anxiety or trauma associated with previous injuries

It’s not just that you’re “out of shape.” Your system might be protecting you — in a way that backfires.

What we do instead

At Connective Care Physical Therapy, we build tolerance before intensity. That means:

• Nervous system regulation comes first

• Gentle movement starts in safe ranges

• Activity is paced, not pushed

• Education helps reduce fear and restore agency

You don’t need bootcamp. You need respect, pacing, and trust — in your body, and from your provider.

Feeling dismissed? You’re not imagining it. Let’s do things differently.
[Give us a call at (631) 448-3764 or email at diana@connectivecarept.com]