Lower Cross Syndrome and Bioelectric Meridian Therapy

By Nelson, Physiotherapist and BMT Practitioner

Lower Cross Syndrome (LCS) is a condition that occurs when there is a muscular imbalance of the hip flexors and the lower back extensors. This can cause the pelvic bone to be placed in anterior tilt and can lead to early degenerative changes and lower back injury. Targeted exercises from a physiotherapist and regular movement can assist in strengthening the underactive muscles and managing the effects of LCS. Bioelectric Meridian Therapy has also shown to be a beneficial intervention to aid the rehabilitation of those tight muscle groups.

What is Lower Cross Syndrome?

Lower Cross Syndrome is when the pelvic bone is placed in an anterior pelvic tilt which causes, a compensatory pattern involving strength and muscle tightness issues around the lumbopelvic joint. A strength or muscle tightness imbalance occurs in the body when one set of muscles grows disproportionately stronger than the reciprocal set of muscles attached to the lumbopelvic joint complex. Hence, when two concurrent strength or muscle tightness imbalances are evident, the Hip Flexors muscle group has grown stronger and/or tighter than the Hamstring muscle group complex. Furthermore, the Posterior Trunk (Low Back) Extensors muscle group is commonly seen to have grown much stronger and/or tighter than the Anterior Trunk (Abdominals) Flexors muscle group too.

Possible effects of LCS

This strength or tightness dominance of the Hip Flexors and Low Back Extensors influences in the shifting of the pelvis into an anterior tilt. The Lower Cross Syndrome further disrupts an individual’s movement as the compensation pattern kicks in during static and dynamic posture. This habit causes the individual to learn and begin all movement with the compensation, resulting in a repetitive Movement Dysfunction that places an inappropriate amount of stress on the vertebrae and discs of the lumbar spine which causes early degenerative changes, ultimately leading to lower back injuries. An extensive amount of time in sitting may increase an individual’s risk of developing LCS because of the sitting position favours the Hip Flexors muscles to be shorten. Therefore, it is supported that getting up from your chair and doing light stretches or taking a short walk to avoid prolonged sitting is beneficial.

The treatment approach to LCS

The treatment approach to correct the anteriorly tilted pelvis requires a combination of soft tissue releases. There could be trigger points in these areas and proper stretching techniques focused on the following overactive and tight muscles, such as the Psoas (Deep Hip Flexors), Tensor Fasciae Latae (TFL– Superficial Hip Flexor), Latissimus Dorsi (Back Muscles), Lower Erector Spinae (Low Back Muscles), Lower Multifidus (Low Back Muscles), Iliocostalis Lumborum (Low Back Muscles), Quadratus Lumborum (Low Back Muscles), Quadriceps (Anterior Leg Muscles), the Adductors (Groin Muscles), and Calf Muscles.

Practicing activation of the underactive muscles is vital in order to achieve a good outcome. Those muscles that need to be strengthen may include the Gluteus complex (Posterior Hip Muscle), Rectus Abdominis (Anterior Core Muscles), anterior portion of Internal/External Obliques (Anterior/Lateral Core Muscles), Semitendinosus (Medial/Middle Hamstring Muscles), and Transverse Abdominis/Obliques (Core Muscles).

Last but not least, it is beneficial to practice a variety of exercises integrating these underused muscles with larger functional movement such as lunging, step-ups, squatting, running, and probably even standing which every individual will have experience performing those movements in their daily routine activities. Integrating the underused muscles with functional movement can lead to heightening awareness of our body so we can take control of it better.

Bioelectric Meridian Therapy as an aid for Lower Cross Syndrome

Bioelectric Meridian Therapy (BMT) serves wonder too as an intervention to aid the rehabilitation of those tight muscle groups we mentioned by unwinding the soft tissues at the sacrum region, Girdle/ Belt “Dai Mai” vessel, unblocking the bladder meridian and the governor vessel.