Research Corner - Q&A Excessive Hip Rotation by Dianne Woodruff | Date Released : 22 Sep 2007 0 comments Print Close Question: I have a client who has a tendency to excessively rotate his left hip during hip extensions, most obviously noted in basic quadruped opposite arm and leg lifts. I have done much SMR and stretching with him. I've also done the basic bridging progressions that I know (i.e., single leg stances, single leg deadlifts, etc.), but I’m curious if there were any other exercises or reactive techniques that may help? Answer: As no doubt you are aware, the exercises you are using are complex. They represent the peak of body organization in preparation for standing and moving contralaterally on two feet. They also require that both sides of the brain are in good communication. The excessive hip rotation you are seeing may be a result of poor balance, muscle imbalance or impaired movement pattern. The movement requires excellent stability on the supporting units (hand/knee). Thus, there must be adequate space between the hands and knees (90 degrees in both sagittal and transverse planes). If knees and hands are too close together, either side/side (transverse) or forward/backward (sagittal), it will be difficult to balance. Check the starting stance for all of these factors before the client starts to move. Is there pain in either knee? There remain the muscular asymmetries and the patterning. The excessively rotated hip may come from poor stability of the grounded limbs. Is there any tremor in the supporting thigh/hip or hand/scapula indicating loading beyond the available strength? The compensation may come from a tight piriformis muscle on that or the opposing side. If the gluteus maximus/hamstring combination (this is the agonist) does not fully engage, hip extension will be poor. If the rotated hip does not fully extend, the rotation could be a compensation for insufficiency in the hip extensors or tightness in the hip flexors, iliopsoas and/or tensor fascia latae (the antagonists). Finally, try dorsi flexing the raised foot to encourage more core stability. And have the client reach away from the body with the limbs, rather than toward the ceiling. Balance on the opposing hand/knee may be the problem. Try doing the exercise prone and see if the client still rotates his left hip when balance is not an issue. Try doing the exercise on a stability ball. The tactile stimulation of the floor or ball might be a cue to self correction. Back to top About the author: Dianne Woodruff Dianne L. Woodruff holds a PhD in Somatic Education and specializes in body movement and exercise solutions. Her two-volume video series, 3-D WORKOUT, teaches people to use their bodies correctly and restores function lost from sedentary life and work. A Certified Movement Analyst, she wrote her dissertation on Bartenieff Fundamentals of Movement. She has taught in US universities for 30 years, following a career as a professional modern dancer. She developed the anatomy curriculum for Stott Pilates. A Registered Movement Therapist (ISMETA) and a CranioSacral practitioner, Dianne is the owner of Body-in-Motion in Oakville, Ontario, just west of Toronto. Full Author Details Related content Content from Dianne Woodruff Improving Hip Rotation Evan Osar, D.C. | Articles Understanding Hip Flexion Michael Boyle | Articles Hip Flexion Dianne Woodruff | Articles Hip Abduction Dianne Woodruff | Articles Hip Extension and Back Pain Dianne Woodruff | Articles Excessive Hip Rotation Dianne Woodruff | Articles Hip Flexion Dianne Woodruff | Articles Pregnancy Flexibility Training Dianne Woodruff | Articles Pubic Symphysis Strength Dianne Woodruff | Articles Hip Abduction Dianne Woodruff | Articles Hip Extension and Back Pain Dianne Woodruff | Articles Movement Patterns Dianne Woodruff | Articles Stretching - Muscle Shakes Dianne Woodruff | Articles Calf Tightness Dianne Woodruff | Articles Abdominal Stability and Mobility Dianne Woodruff | Articles Programming for Breast Cancer Group Exercise Dianne Woodruff | Articles Postural and Phasic Muscles Dianne Woodruff | Articles Please login to leave a comment Comments (0) Back to top