Lower Crossed Syndrome is one of the most common things we’ve seen at Tulsa Spine and Rehab related to non-specific low back pain or general low back pain. We’re not talking about a nasty disc problem, advanced arthritis, facet disease – just run of the mill low back pain.
Imagine standing sideways in a mirror and draw an X from your belly to your butt and your back to the front of your leg to form an X. Lower Crossed Syndrome happens when the musculature in your back and your upper back – those extensor muscles – become very, very weak. In addition, the musculature in your hip flexors and your quads become very tight. Conversely, you’re going to have quite a bit of weakness in your gluteal musculature – your butt muscles – and then in your abdominal.
This is caused by sitting all day long. Two things happen. We develop gluteal amnesia – yes, gluteal amnesia. Our glute muscles have stopped working and we’re sitting on our butts all day and that musculature has become very, very weak. The gluteus is an important part of the core and stabilizing. And our hip flexors have a tendency to shorten up or tighten up. So it’s just a postural thing and it creates an imbalance. And with this imbalance you’re typically going to end up with some form of low back pain. Once properly diagnosed, we’re going to focus on stretching muscles and getting things working properly. In addition to that we’re going to focus on stabilizing the weak muscles as well.
It’s normally a cumulative condition meaning over time this obviously isn’t anything traumatic. It’s not going to happen overnight. And then one day you might reach over to tie your shoes or pick some laundry up off the floor. And then you develop low back pain. It’s not necessarily the act of what you just did, it’s likely the culmination of everything you did or didn’t do.
Chiropractic treatment for Lower Crossed Syndrome is phenomenal because a lot of chiropractors are going to be educated and versed in soft tissue and soft management techniques. Active release and myofacial techniques strip down the fibers and get them moving properly and begin increasing mobility. A lot of chiropractors are also trained on stabilizing and rehabbing the weak muscles. The combination of getting something moving again and at the same time getting something turned on or stabilized. Physical therapists are a really good option for this as well. We have both in this office. This is conservative care. You don’t need injections or any type of surgical intervention, as this is more of a postural problem abnormality.
If thou have some aches and pains you have questions about, contact Tulsa Spine and Rehab at (918) 743-3737.
