Having hyperlordosis in a lumbar spine directly points to the idea of a “Lower Crossed Syndrome”.
Basically, the pelvis can be viewed as a rotating object controlled by four strings. The tension in one pair of strings can change the position of the pelvis, which, in turn, affects the tension in the other pair of strings.
When sitting, hip flexors become accustomed to a shortened position, while your gluteal muscles adapt to a lengthened one. When stand up, this shift in tension introduces uneven forces on the pelvis, resulting in its rotation.
This rotation pre-shortens lumbar extensors, increasing their excitability, and pre-lengthens your abdominal muscles, making them more “lazy”.
LCS is a type of muscle imbalance where one group of muscles remains shortened and tense, while the opposing group is lengthened and weakened, forming a cross pattern between the dorsal and ventral sides of the body [1] In LCS, also known as Pelvic Cross Syndrome, the muscles involved include the rectus abdominis, gluteus maximus, gluteus medius, and hamstrings, which become weak, while the iliopsoas and lumbar extensors remain tight. [2] The hamstrings must compensate for the anterior pelvic tilt caused by an inhibited gluteus maximus.
This imbalance results in an exaggerated arch in the lower back and a forward-tilted pelvis. However, postural changes may vary depending on the affected muscles. LCS can manifest in two posture types: A and B.
In Type A, the pelvis tilts forward, the buttocks lift and protrude, and the lower back arches inward. This posture includes thoracic hyperkyphosis and lumbar hyperlordosis, with the hips and knees slightly bent, forming an S-shaped body alignment
In Type B, the head protrudes forward, the thoracic spine remains hyperkyphotic, and the lumbar spine displays hyperlordosis similar to Type A. However, the knees are overextended. [3]
For more information about crossed syndromes and human posture, check out the previous posts: Postural Pain and Crossed Syndromes and 6 Types of Posture
- Key, Josephine. „The Pelvic Crossed Syndromes: A Reflection of Imbalanced Function in the Myofascial Envelope; a Further Exploration of Janda’s Work”. Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapies, t. 14, nr 3, July 2010, s. 299–301. PubMed, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbmt.2010.01.008
- Sahu, Priyanka. „SCREENING FOR LOWER CROSS SYNDROME IN ASYMPTOMATIC INDIVIDUALS”. Journal of Medical pharmaceutical and allied sciences, t. 10, nr 6, November 2021, s. 3894–98. DOI.org (Crossref), https://doi.org/10.22270/jmpas.V10I6.1266
- Schuster R., “Evaluation & management of the crossed syndromes”, American College of Osteopathic Family Physicians, 2016