Leg Length Discrepancy and Short Right Leg Syndrome
in the context of Remedial Therapy
The Sacrum is Structural Ground Zero
The first picture is the idealised pelvic structure shown to us in text books. This is not what we see in the real world.
Closer to reality is the second picture which is a frontal x-ray of an individual with a 20mm structural leg length discrepancy. We all have a structurally short right leg generating pelvic tilt and mild scoliosis impacting stance and hip alignment. Typically the left hip is elevated over the right, lumbar spine diverges to the right, the sacrum and tail bone are not aligned centrally with the pubic symphysis, the left hip is in high range anterior rotation twisting and binding the SIJ and resulting torque vector pushing top left corner of the sacrum anteriorly, the right hip is level but jammed and immobile at the SIJ with a high degree of tightness and pain across the length of the iliac crest. A prominent left or right lower limb mechanism may be present. Lumbar disk bulging to the right ranging from mild to catastrophic is likely...it is like three out of every four cases have tightness and tenderness in the right QL's. Beneath the waist is right leaning stance. Above the waist influenced by movement of the torso's centre of gravity to the right due to right leaning pelvic tilt and mild scoliosis, the hips shift in a counterbalancing leftward move and this is what it is all about in the first place...providing that jutting left hip to carry baby on and free the strong right arm for work and defence. This was a critical survival trait for our prehistoric ancestors during the child rearing years. It was the most successful model and through evolutionary adaptation a short right leg is a dominant genetic trait.
The condition in its entirety is complex. Distortion and constant strain on the sacrum and the heavy binding through ligamental and connective tissue (read fascia) takes a toll as we age beyond the life expectancy of our prehistoric ancestors unless a concerted effort to maintain flexibility is made. Yoga gurus and dancers manage to do so. Most others do not.
The third image depicts the heavily bound ligamental and connective tissue about the sacrum at the centre of our structural base. It is through the connective tissue that energetic Qi flow travels. There are various energy centres about the body. The Sacral Chakra at the Sacrum. Activated by sound frequencies (288Hz, 303Hz and 417Hz), enhancing creativity, sensuality, libido and emotional expression. However, there is a more fundamental aspect impacting the essential metabolic functions that support life.
The sacrum is at structural ground zero joining the supporting lower limbs and central spine of the torso. Distortion and strain from chronic postural misalignment due to structural leg length discrepancy, poor muscle tone, overwork, injury, excessive sitting, etc., becomes problematic as we age. Blocking energetic Qi flow in the fourteen acupuncture meridians passing through the pelvis as soft tissue structures about the sacrum become rigid and lose flexibility. Reducing vitality levels in the lower Chakras generally. Impacting internal health and mobility. I have now added connective tissue surrounding the Sacrum to the list of Bladder meridian choke points already identified at Iliac Crest, insertion of the Biceps Femoris tendon to the head of the Fibula and lateral aspect of the Heel contributing to Kidney deficiency symptoms. There is also the Chong Mai, Du Mai and Ren Mai meridian nexus in this area of the body to consider that will be impacted and likely to affect reproductive function...the Chong Mai originating in the kidneys and passing directly through the womb. I am sure there is more to the story of unresolved distortion and strain through the pelvis and its effect on internal health and metabolic function.
What I am saying is that apart from emotive effects of feeling, expression and creativity that might be impacted by dysfunction about the sacrum, there are direct effects on fundamental metabolic health supporting life such as kidney, digestive and reproductive function. I do have anecdotal evidence of the coincidental beneficial side effects from Heel Lift treatment reducing distortion and strain through the pelvis. The effects from leg length discrepancy and the Pelvic Block is not known to conventional medicine. It is supported by Traditional Chinese medical theory and known to some TCM practitioners.
Negative effects on energetic Qi flow through the pelvis from structural misalignment causing distortion and strain are compounded by SIJ and lumbar dysfunction and injury. I describe this energetic condition as the Pelvic Block. Maintaining flexibility through the pelvis and about the sacrum is preventative and essential for maintaining good internal health, metabolic function, vitality and well being.
I am convinced the underlying purpose for Belly Dancing and Hula is to ensure fertility in prospective mothers by improving pelvic mobility and resolving the Pelvic Block, as well as, conditioning to support pregnancy and birthing. From another perspective, sexual intercourse is a beneficial physical exercise for mobilising the pelvis. As young adults we have frequent and abundant practice. However, with the passage of time, we lose opportunity, ability and interest. Our sexual appetite wanes and it becomes an occasional event that may eventually cease altogether. Apart from the mounting pressures of adult life, internal health effects from Short Right Leg Syndrome can be partly to blame. If we do not substitute a suitable regular alternative to maintain pelvic mobility under the strain of structural leg length discrepancy, the lumbro-sacral region gradually begins to thicken and tighten. Energetic Qi flow becomes blocked adversely affecting mobility and internal health.
Treatment and practises to activate the Base, Sacral and Plexus Chakras through meditation, sound healing, acupuncture or other energetic practices give limited temporary relief until structural anomalies generating the Pelvic Block are resolved. In the presence of acute symptoms it is like we always have to insert an adjusting heel lift under the short right leg. Spinal Rotation and Sacral Mobility Exercises are an effective means of clearing all vestiges of strain through the surrounding fascia and improving energetic flow.
In my own experience with the effect of a 21mm leg length discrepancy distorting pelvic posture combined with a lifetime of athletic activity, three decades working on my feet, and several lumbar disk injuries no doubt induced by pelvic tilt from leg length discrepancy; internal health and mobility deteriorated gradually over a five year period following a major lumbar injury at age 60. While I recovered from the injury and recommenced physical training, I was forced out of sport by an inexplicable loss of integrity at the knee*. Vital signs gradually degenerated and movement became so bad I looked like Frankenstein. It was a mystery. Extensive treatment, much walking and assorted exercises proved ineffective until I focused on the core issue at the lumbro-sacral region. Heel Lift Treatment, Spinal Rotation and Sacral Mobility Exercises. Individually, each of these proved to be dramatically beneficial. Each was a stepping stone to the next.
The recovery process since commencing Heel Lift treatment has played out over a four and a half year period and continues. Could I have accelerated the process had I known what I know now? Most probably and I expect my clients will reap the benefit of this knowledge if they are prepared to put in a little effort each day. Patience is necessary. It is a condition that has taken decades to develop. Fully releasing and unwinding will take months or years. There may be damaged joints that prove problematic and need to be worked through. Each case will be different and it is not always easy working through weaknesses, obstruction and injury.
* Re: Inexplicable loss of knee integrity. Due to the effect of Bladder meridian choke point at the iliac crest and consequently the biceps femoris tendinous insertion to the head of the fibula. It was not until several years later when clearing Bladder meridian blockage at the iliac crests that knee function improved. The impact on the right knee was sufficient to cause a high degree of inflammation to a joint that had never previously been injured. Accompanied by pain, flexion was restricted to 30 degrees…that is, only 30 degrees of range from full extension. I am lucky to not have also developed a Baker’s Cyst behind this knee. That may be due to haphazard use of Collagen supplementation over the years sufficiently strengthening the joint capsule. I have sighted several other cases with high range leg length discrepancy, active Bladder meridian blockage at the iliac crest and biceps femoris tendon afflicted with a Baker’s Cyst in that knee. Most commonly these are right sided due to the effect of Second Cardinal Sign of SRLS on the right hip.
