Evolutionary Adaptation of a Short Right Leg and Introducing the Pelvic Block

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We would like to think we are perfectly formed to live a long healthy comfortable life if only we can get back to nature, eat and sleep well, avoid stress and be happy. The truth of it is, being bipedal, nature has dealt us an unexpected challenge in the evolutionary journey to ensure survival of the species. When early Hominid species first began to stand and walk on two legs, structural leg length may have been randomly distributed…some even legged, some short on the left side, some short on the right side. My theory, evolutionary adaptation of comparative leg length has been influenced by our dominant right hand and the question of how to carry baby securely.

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Parents carry baby on the left hip. I clearly recall leaving the house with bags in left hand and attempting to put the youngest one on my right hip before walking out the front door. I struggled to do so three or four times and gave up. He just would not sit securely on the right hip. Putting everything down, I transferred him to the left side and walked out the door.

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I now know this is because my right leg is shorter than the left. The left hip is elevated causing a right leaning tilt across the pelvis. The foundation of the spine at the Sacrum, also right leaning, encourages mild scoliosis with right convexity. The spine being offset to the right of centre, weight distribution is too and the hips shift to the left in a counterbalancing move. Hence, the left hip elevated and projecting laterally is the perfect perch for baby. We hardly have to think about it, left arm casually draped about the baby unlike the right side where we contort our body and have to hang on tight and it still does not feel secure.

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Sceptical when first alerted to the concept that a structurally short right leg is common, I subsequently assessed every client presenting in clinic. The claim proved to be true. It is controversial but some formal studies do support it. The vast majority of my clients have a structurally short right leg. It is a dominant genetic trait. I rarely see even leg lengths and have seen only one naturally short left leg case in a decade.

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Considering the Two Signature Traits of a short right leg which are an elevated left hip and elevated right shoulder, this gave mother and child in prehistoric times a greater chance of survival. Child on elevated laterally projected left hip, bag on elevated right shoulder, freeing the strong right arm for work and defence in their hunter gatherer existence in the forest. This was the most successful model. It is also living proof the early Hominid species were predominantly right handed. If they were left handed we would be seeing short left legs and carry baby on right hip. We do not see short left legs.

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It is important to understand this evolved purely to aid survival of the species during the child rearing years. There are no other beneficial attributes from a short right leg. To the contrary, the structural asymmetry imposes a constant troublesome strain leading to a vast array of mobility and internal health issues.

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It is a complex condition that affects us more as we age beyond the life expectancy of our prehistoric ancestors. Becoming more sedentary, gaining weight and losing flexibility, working on our feet for extended periods of time, the strain on distorted connective tissue about the lumbro-sacral region and hips becomes ingrained and a rigidity sets in. The effects stem from both unbalanced biomechanical forces and blocked energetic Qi flow. While I encounter the occasional juvenile or young adult unduly affected by the condition, symptoms become most apparent our 40's.

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I describe a condition affecting the vast majority of us today, regardless of gender and race, working from the feet up, creating permanent distortion through the pelvis impacting comfort, mobility and internal health. Osteopaths and Chiropractors are fond of the theory of neck and/or TMJ dysfunction generating dural drag working down the spine and pulling up the left hip. Until they properly consider and account for the effects of structural leg length discrepancy, I am inclined to think they attribute too much importance to the dural drag theory.

 

Most of us easily grasp the concept of biomechanical dysfunction but how does structural leg length discrepancy impact internal health? In brief, there are fourteen acupuncture meridians passing through the pelvis. Permanent distortion and strain on the soft tissue of the pelvis and lumbro-sacral region creates a "Pelvic Block" impinging energetic Qi flow in these meridians. I have anecdotal evidence of improved digestive, reproductive and kidney function when addressing structural leg length discrepancy in my Remedial Therapy practice. 

 

Internal health effects from structural leg length discrepancy is little known by conventional and alternative medical practitioners. Yet it is supported by Traditional Chinese Medical theory and is known to some TCM practitioners. It is not taught in their university studies. It is well understood by Chi Gong masters and Yoga guru's whose practice involves much attention to opening the pelvis, improving flexibility and promoting energetic Qi flow. Flexibility is preventative. As we age we can manage this well should we have the dedication and discipline of a yoga guru or dancer. Most do not do so.

 

I came to these insights through knowledge of energetic Qi flow gained from long association with a Grand Master martial artist and Traditional Chinese Medical practitioner of high esteem when I was a young man combined with the fundamentals of Physiotherapy imparted through the Remedial Diploma at Swinburne University of Technology. This has been validated through considerable personal and clinical experience observing and treating the condition.