Pelvic, Sacral and Lumbar Flexibility Easing Strain on Injured Joints

 

This is important - Pelvic, sacral and lumbar flexibility enhances movement extending the range of all joints through the region, easing strain on individual problematic joints affected by injury, promoting recovery and healing. Movement becomes fluid. Energetic Qi flow is enhanced. We manage structural leg length discrepancy better. Should we be doing heel lift treatment, the body will accept adjustment to leg length discrepancy better. Where these adjustments are typically limited to a fraction of the discrepancy, improving flexibility more readily allows increased adjustment for greater symptomatic relief and accelerating the process of recovery.

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The consequent improvement to circulation of Qi and blood is beneficial to healing and internal health. Clearing Bladder meridian choke points at the sacrum, lumbar spine and iliac crest directly benefits pelvic mobility, lower limb function and boosts energetic Qi flow to the Kidneys. In turn affecting the Chong Mai, Governing and Conception vessel nexus similarly enhancing energetic flow through the spine, reducing thickening and tightening through the soft tissue, increasing range and flexibility generally, as well as, having a direct effect on vitality, endurance and reproductive function in both men and women. Where restrictions to energetic flow are allowed to persist, the subtle thickening and tightening through the connective tissue reduces flexibility. It is as though flexibility begets more flexibility and rigidity begets more rigidity. As rigidity escalates, tissues rupture rather than give with movement or impact.

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In the absence of acute mobility symptoms and discomfort, an individual may not require heel lift treatment to manage structural leg length discrepancy. Increasing flexibility through the lumbro-sacral region promotes energetic Qi flow through the pelvis maintaining good internal health. Where this individual does not work for extended hours on their feet, does not do heavy lifting and has a relatively easy lifestyle, the anatomic anomalies generated by structural leg length of high rotation of the left hip about the SIJ, rigidity at the right hip and SIJ, and mild scoliosis might be managed through exercise to maintain flexibility. Should they change their work or lifestyle, perhaps now working on their feet and engaging in high physical training loads in sport, it can go horribly wrong. This was my experience. 

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In the presence of structural leg length discrepancy accompanied by acute symptoms affecting mobility and internal health, and the Three Cardinal Signs of Short Right Leg Syndrome sighted in assessment, heel lift treatment is recommended. A heel lift alone is not the full treatment. Yoga in casual practice is not sufficiently focused and rigorous to overcome decades of distortion and strain from leg length discrepancy. Supplementary Spinal Rotation and Sacral Mobility exercises are necessary.

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https://www.massageworksdandenongranges.com.au/spinal-rotation-exercise

https://www.massageworksdandenongranges.com.au/sacral-mobilisation-exercise

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The benefits from yoga, walking and other activities are still required. The rotation and mobility exercises I describe are remedial rehabilitation that might be continued long term or superceded with more interesting practices once their job is done. Initially, prolonged mobility sessions are required that will become shorter as condition improves and things are moving well.

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From a practical perspective, benefits to improved flexibility through the lumbro-sacral region, apart from energetic Qi flow aspects discussed above, are reduced stiffness, improved fluid like movement walking, reduced low back and SIJ pain, improved comfort and no doubt benefits to less tangible emotive, communication and libido characteristics associated with the Sacral Chakra. My observation in clinical practice includes many reports of coincidental beneficial side effects to digestive, reproductive and kidney function.

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Heel lift treatment is limited by the amount of adjustment the body is willing to accept. The tighter and more rigid the lumbro-sacral structure is, the smaller that will be. Typically starting with a 3mm or 5mm heel lift, in my own case graduating to 7mm after two years. Then trialling 10mm at the three year mark with greater symptomatic benefit but proved to be more than my structure would allow. Feeling like a pirate on a pegleg and not getting accustomed to the increased adjustment height, forced to reduce it to 8mm. This did not resolve symptoms at the right hip associated with the Second Cardinal Sign necessitating copious amounts of rehab activity on an ongoing basis that never resolved the condition. After performing the spinal rotation and sacral mobility exercises for several months, I was able to easily and with comfort increase the heel lift adjustment to 12mm. I have a 21mm structural leg length discrepancy. The right hip symptoms were almost entirely resolved within three days. Due to the reduced symptomatic effects with this increased heel lift size, I am not expecting to need further increases.

 

In considering the energetic Qi flow described above, it is no wonder a common symptom of Kidney deficiency is an ache in the lower back. Typical Kidney deficiency symptoms are insomnia, constipation, dry mouth, aching lower back, reduced vitality and endurance, anxiety, fluid retention in feet, ankles and lower limbs. These may wax and wane with changing conditions before becoming chronic. In advanced stages it impacts male and female reproductive function.