LOWER CROSSED SYNDROME: WHAT IS IT AND HOW TO DETECT IT?

The lower cruciate syndrome is characterized by the development of an anterior pelvic tilt that strains the muscles and connective tissue of the pelvic lumbar region, thus influencing its dynamics (Abtrutsky, 2013).

The muscles, in terms of their behaviour and action, are usually divided into tonic/postural and phasic. The tonic muscles are mostly slow-contracting fibers. Their main function is support. As they have more connective tissue, they tend to shorten. These muscles are active in standing, but when there is a correct alignment of the body segments, their activity is reduced to a minimum. On the other hand, the phasic musculature are mainly fast-contracting fibers. These are fibres that are activated dynamically on a voluntary basis. The function is therefore predominantly motor. The tonic musculature, in the face of prolonged activity, will tend towards hypertonia and shortening, while the phasic musculature, on the other hand, will tend towards hypotonia or laxity (Abtrutsky, 2013).
The pelvis is a central axis of posture and body movement. It is framed in a strategic place, between the spine and the lower limbs. Muscular imbalances at this level lead to an abnormality of movement, a loss of postural alignment and finally, to a change in the motor programming of the central nervous system.

upper.lower.crossed.syndromes by Beth Scupham (CC BY 2.0)


The muscles that produce the pelvic anteversion are the Sacrolumbar, long dorsal, Epiespinoso, Lumbar Square, Psoas Ilíaco, Sartorio, Pectíneo, Aductor menor y mediano, Recto anterior quadriceps and Tensor of the fascia lata. Most of this musculature is tonic, which means that the shortening of this muscular group will trigger an anterior displacement of the pelvis, which will lead to an accentuation of lumbar lordosis (Abtrutsky, 2013).


On the other hand, we have the retroverse muscles: Anterior rectum of the abdomen, major oblique, minor oblique, transverse abdomen, gluteus (especially major), major adductor and crural square. The majority in this case are phasic muscles, which have to weaken.


Analyzing the lower cruciate syndrome in greater depth, we see that it is the spinal muscles that are frequently tense and hypertonic, while those that are lax are the abdominals. The flexor muscles of the hip are also tense, while the gluteus maximus is weakened. This is compensated for by synergistic (ischiotibioperoneal) and stabilizing (spinal erector) muscles, which can lead to muscle injury and lower back pain (Abtrutsky, 2013). Also the adductor muscles are often tense in relation to the middle and lower buttocks, which can lead to increased tension in the pubis.


All of this leads to lumbar hyperlordosis and a bulging belly. The muscular imbalance that occurs can move towards the upper part of the body, resulting in an upper cruciate syndrome, which will affect the cervical and pectoral area (Gottau, 2010).


If these imbalances are not prevented or remedied, they can lead to severe limitations in spinal mobility, as well as being the cause of long-term hernias. Phasic muscles and tonics should therefore be considered when training strength, planning a routine to correct this natural tendency to imbalance caused by crossed syndromes (Gottau, 2010).







See you in the next post. 

May the force be with you!

REFERENCES

Abtrutsky, M. A. (2013). Evaluacion de la postura estática. Síndromes cruzados. Retrieved May 5, 2019, from https://g-se.com/evaluacion-de-la-postura-estatica-sindromes-cruzados-bp-a57cfb26ceb823

Gottau, G. (2010). Síndrome cruzado inferior a causa de desequilibrios musculares. Retrieved May 6, 2019, from https://www.vitonica.com/anatomia/sindrome-cruzado-inferior-a-causa-de-desequilibrios-musculares

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