Lordosis and Abdominus Rectus
(2 discussions)
Hi.
I recently went to see a doctor about postural problems and back aches after abusing my back as a paramedic for some years.
Turns out I have lordosis and hyperextended knees, for which i have gotten exercises.
The problem is that my lower abs are so weak that when I do any exercises, my stronger upper abs take over the workload and in the end I look kinda pregnant with these bulging upper abs.
How can I prevent this whilst still correcting the original problem?
Thanks
2 comments
Marius
Thanks for the reply DSA
I actually live in South Africa, so I went to see a Biokinethecist here after what you said. She confirmed what you said. The upper back is not kyphotic though, but the rest is true. My right foot pronates quite a bit as well which throws out the kinetic chain even further. Weird how you chug along, thinking youre still doing ok and then all these little things catch up to you and stuff up the whole picture.
Anyhow, She has prescribed a bunch of exercises / stretches so we’ll see how it goes.
Thanks
Keep well.
DSA
Hi Marius
I’m a practicing Neuromuscular Therapist in the UK. What you are describing could suggest a couple of things. Firstly, lordosis of the low back may mean some degeneration of the lumbar spine, is your upper spine kyphotic (opposite of a lordosis)? Secondly the muscle and soft tissues in your low back are probably v. v. tight. This allows the pelvis to anteriorly tilt – commonly, this allows the lower abdominals to become inhibited, hip flexors shorten and tighten and the gluteals become inhibited, the hamstrings lengthen, but won’t necessarily become weaker. Hyperextension of the knees occurs due to the abnormal forces placed on the pelvic area. You may find that neck flexors are also are a little lengthened and weakened while neck extensors are short and strong.
It’s not enough for you to do the abdominal exercises etc – you may find things don’t change too quickly. The low back/pelvic girdle area is complicated and you need to address the global problems and have treatment to correct muscle imbalances. Targeting one muscle group isn’t going to make the problem go away. Muscles work together to make the body function – if there is a problem in one place this will have a knock-on effect somewhere else – while one muscle acts as an agonist, its counterpart acts as an antagonist. If you are living in the US, see an experienced Neuromuscular Therapist, if you are in europe, you need to see a specialist who can treat soft-tissue imbalance. I hope this helps shed light on your problem.