What is HAPT?

Hypermobile Accessible Proprioceptive Therapy (HAPT)is a new touch-based sensory therapy that explores access needs and body sensations to maximize quality of life and minimize risk of injury in people with hypermobile disability. HAPT aims to increase and integrate tissue feedback that is impacted by chronic pain, injury, fatigue, and system dysfunction - establishing a more supportive and responsive sense baseline that individuals can use to inform their care practices and activity choices. HAPT is not about muscle strengthening or ‘correct’ alignment (these are eugenic concepts).

A series of photos of Audre and L in a softly lit room with orange and pink light emanating from a long multicolored bulb on the wall above them. They are both wearing neutral tones, masks, and jeans. The photos are various snapshots of them practicing HAPT. They take turns providing and receiving very light touch.

A close up photo of Audre and L practicing HAPT. L’s arm crosses in front of Audre’s shins while she lies on the table. L’s silver ringed hands are placed above and below Audre’s folded knees.The room is softly lit with orange and pink light.

Hallmarks of hypermobile disability 

Hypermobile disability is vast and varied, but a hallmark is proprioceptive differences i.e. receptor feedback that is perceived as sensation in all body tissues. The receptors that provide the nervous system feedback to integrate into motor plans are all situated in connective tissue - for every single body system. Connective tissue instability or laxity contributes to microdamage and impacts these receptors, changing information the brain and other tissues receive. These receptors are crucial for feeling temperature and pain, balance, position, and movement. They regulate movement in the gut, the cardiovascular system, and musculoskeletal system (and probably do a lot more than we can currently identify). They also impact the lymphatic system, inflammatory and immune responses, and hormone regulation.