Core Assessment

Learn More About Hypermobility Canada’s Services

Our Core Assessment for Hypermobility is the starting point where we get to learn about you. Completing our Core Assessment is a vital part of our personalized evaluation of your hypermobility needs. Because we specifically tailor our support to your individual needs and requirements, the Core Assessment is a thorough and lengthy process to ensure your personalized needs are met. Request an appointment for a Core Assessment here.

We schedule in-person Core Assessment appointments only after all pre-visit materials are completed. You will not be charged in advance; billing occurs at the time of your appointment. If you choose not to complete the pre-visit materials, your appointment will not be booked and no charges will apply. The Core Assessment costs $199 CAD.

Our Core Assessment will provide you with these answers:

  • Whether you meet criteria for a hypermobility disorder

  • Recommendations from our interdisciplinary committee on the next steps we think you should take

  • A written assessment and action plan

Our Core Assessment involves:

Registration with Hypermobility Canada, consent to store your data, offer consultation and review your medical record. Receipt of consent will move you to the next step.

Completing questionnaires so that we can learn about your health, medical history, medication history and family history. These are completed before your appointment booking. 

Completing your FLEx questionnaire which is a score we developed to assess the broader issues affected patients with hypermobility.

Completing a Short Form 36 (SF-36) to assess quality of life.

Complete a family history questionnaire through an app called FamGenix. In particular, we are interested in any unexplained deaths or past issues with vascular disease or eye diseases.  Upon completion of Steps 1 through 5, you will move to Step 6 to book your visit.

An in-person visit with an interview and physical exam through a trained health care professional such as an occupational therapist or nurse.

After your in-person visit, all of the gathered information is brought by your assessor to our interdisciplinary committee. An interdisciplinary committee provides recommendations based on the information and your physical exam.  The committee members include any combination of: a medical doctor, a mental health expert, physiotherapist, occupational therapist, nurse and a physiatry team member. The committee will also provide recommendations on whether you need genetic testing, assessment for dysautonomia or POTS, mast cell disorders or other hypermobility-related issues.

The final step is to provide you with a written evaluation to see if you meet criteria for a hypermobility disorder and provide guidance on next steps. While the Core Assessment is not a formal diagnosis (because of regulations), we believe our process will provide something of an evaluation of whether or not you have a hypermobility syndrome.  With written documentation, this can allow your health care provider to move forward in taking steps to improve your health specific to hypermobility.  Most patients have a high index of suspicion that they are hypermobile based on health history and previous physical exams by other professionals and the wait to see a medical geneticist is not necessary to pursue care to improve their health.  If your referring provider feels more complex care is needed, they can refer to our medical specialists.  You can also self-refer to our Physiotherapist, Occupational Therapist or Mental Health expert to start your treatment.  Each member of our team has experience with hypermobility and shares the philosophy that we will often need to see you a few times, help you provide coaching on how deal with your symptoms and allow healing over time.

Core Assessment FAQ – Patient Guide

This guide explains the Core Assessment process in simple terms, so you know what to expect and how it helps you.

The Core Assessment is the first step to understanding your health and planning your care. You don’t need a doctor’s referral to start. Before your visit, you’ll complete questionnaires so we can learn about your health history. We schedule in-person Core Assessment appointments only after all pre-visit materials are completed. You will not be charged in advance; billing occurs at the time of your appointment. If you choose not to complete the pre-visit materials, your appointment will not be booked and no charges will apply. The Core Assessment costs $199 CAD. If you choose not to complete the pre-visit steps, there’s no cost to you.

  • An evaluation of whether you meet criteria for a hypermobility condition.
  • Personalized recommendations for next steps.
  • A written report and care plan you can share with your doctor.

  • Register and give consent.
  • Fill out health and family history questionnaires.
  • Complete two surveys (FLEx and SF-36) to help us understand your symptoms and quality of life.
  • Complete a family history questionnaire through an app called FamGenix.
  • Attend an in-person visit with a trained health professional.
  • After your visit, our team reviews everything and creates your personalized plan.

Getting an official diagnosis from a specialist can take years. Our process gives you answers and a plan much sooner. Our trained team can assess whether you meet criteria for hypermobility and guide your next steps.

Some services, like occupational therapy and physiotherapy, aren’t covered by provincial health plans. That’s why there’s a fee for the Core Assessment.

No. You can book your Core Assessment yourself here.

Your report explains whether you meet criteria for a Hypermobility Spectrum Disorder, Hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome, or another type of Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome, and includes recommendations for care. You can share it with your doctor to help guide treatment.

If you need a doctor’s appointment, your primary care provider will make the referral. Most patients start with the Core Assessment because it gives you the information needed to advocate for your care.

No. We start with the Core Assessment so we can understand your needs and create the right plan for you.  The only exception is if you meet the referral criteria for a referral to our Physician.

If we think you need testing for POTS or MCAS, we’ll recommend it after your Core Assessment.

No. Patients who have previously been seen by one of our practitioners at another location are not required to complete a Core Assessment, provided the prior care is relevant to the services being requested. Our team will review your request with the relevant practitioner and confirm next steps as part of the booking process.

Start Your Journey With A Referral:

Self Referral

Register using our online form and learn how to make a self referral to Hypermobility Canada.