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TABLE 8.2 Key Alignment/Technique Problems and Potential Corrective MeasuresCorrective measures
Joint alignment/
technique problem
(Common terminology) Strengthen Stretch Mechanics Sample cues
Spine
Excessive cervical lordosis
(Forward head, leading with
chin)Neck flexors
(example: figure
3.29B,
p. 103)Neck extensors
(example: figure
3.29C, p. 103)Use the flexors of the head
and neck to decrease
cervical extension.Bring the bottom of the
chin back, and imagine
being suspended from
behind the ears or just
behind the midpoint of the
top of the head.
Excessive thoracolumbar
extension
(Rib-leading)Abdominals
(upper emphasis)
(examples:
table 3.4, B-D,
pp. 134-135)Spinal extensors
(lower and middle)
(examples: table
3.7, A and B,
p. 144)Contract the abdominals
with emphasis on the upper
attachment bringing the
ribcage down and back.Pull the bottom of the
front of the rib cage down
and back toward the spine
as the upper back lifts up
and slightly forward.
Excessive lumbar lordosis
(Arched low back)Abdominals
(lower emphasis)
(examples: table
3.4, E and F,
pp. 135-136
and figure 3.25A,
p. 97)Spinal extensors
(lower)
Hip flexors
(examples: figure
3.25, B and C,
p. 97)Contract the abdominals to
posteriorly tilt the pelvis and
reduce lumbar extension
until a neutral position of the
pelvis and normal lumbar
curve are obtained.Pull the pubic bone and
bottom of the front of
the rib cage toward each
other.Kyphosis
(Collapsed, rounded,
slumped, upper back)Upper back
extensors
(example: figure
3.26A, p. 99)Anterior shoulder
muscles
(examples:
table 7.12, B-D,
pp. 449-450)
Abdominals
(examples: figure
3.26B, p. 99, and
table 3.7D,
p. 145)Contract the thoracic spinal
extensors to decrease
thoracic flexion.Lift the upper back up and
slightly forward toward the
ceiling.Pelvis
Anterior pelvic tilt
(Released pelvis)Abdominals
(lower emphasis)
(examples: table
3.4, A-C and E,
pp. 134 and
135)Hip flexors
(examples: table
4.7, A and B,
p. 224)
Spinal extensors
(lower)Use the abdominals (with
inferior attachment onto
pelvis moving) or abdominal–
hamstring force couple to
posteriorly tilt the pelvis until
the pubic symphysis and ASIS
are in vertical alignment.Pull up the pubic
symphysis to create a
neutral position of the
pelvis.Posterior pelvic tilt
(Tucked pelvis)Spinal extensors
Hip flexors
(examples:
table 4.5, A-C,
pp. 213-214)Abdominals
(examples: table
3.7, C and D,
pp. 144-145)Use the hip flexors or spinal
extensors to anteriorly tilt
the pelvis until the ASIS and
pubic symphysis are vertically
aligned, and use the spinal
extensors to reduce flexion
of the lumbar spine.Bring the top of the pelvis
forward, and lift the lower
spine up.