Laurie's Blogs.

Here’s some interesting ‘food for thought’!  My blog inspiration this week comes from https://mikereinold.com/do-tight-hip-flexors-correlate-to-glute-weakness/.

The article discussed a research paper (Van Gelder et al 2015) that found a correlation between gluteal weakness and tight hip flexors.  This phenomenon was also described in The Janda Approach (from the teachings of Dr. Vladimir Janda).  Janda described it as lower crossed syndrome, whereby certain muscle groups in the lumbopelvic area get tight, while the antagonists get weak or inhibited, and it goes beyond just glutes and iliopsoas.

Check out this drawing.  It helps to visualize the connections.

So basically, when you find one of these issues, look for the other.  Weak abdominals can be found associated with tight lower spinal extensors, and weak glutes maybe be found with tight hip flexors.  And all four problems may be present as well.

It makes me wonder if the same could be true in dogs, and I think it is indeed possible and likely.  Weak gluteals and a tight iliopsoas muscle can be seen in dogs with hip dysplasia.  Here you can witness the rounded back, flexed hips, and lack of gluteal muscles.

Weak abdominals and a ‘saggy topline’ will result in tight / shortened epaxials.  This is the deconditioned dog, the post-partum dog, or the aged dog.

So the point of this article and the original blog was that your treatments need to be directed at

1. strengthening the weak muscles
   • Think "specific  & targetted exercises" (i.e. not just the underwater treadmill!!!)
2. stretching out the tight & shortened muscles.  
   • Accomplished by static stretches, active stretches, or myofascial holds.

So when you see your next patient that has an obvious weakness, ask yourself “Is there a tight / shortened antagonist that I need to address as well?”

Better get checking!!

Cheers!  Laurie