Why does the position of the pelvis matter?
A correctly placed pelvis is the foundation of a good sitting posture.
Without your pelvis being in the right position, it is very difficult (… perhaps even impossible!) to have good posture.
By addressing the pelvis, you are giving your body the opportunity to adopt the best possible posture.
If you find that you are developing pain and/or stiffness in your body after sitting all day, your sitting posture may be the root cause of it all!
How do most people sit?
If you are like the vast majority of people who slouch, you probably sit with your pelvis in position called a Posterior pelvic tilt.
This is where the pelvis is tilted backwards (see above).
This cause a domino effect of bad posture in the whole body!
What is the ideal position of the pelvis?
- The pelvis should be in a neutral position.
- (…or in a slight degree of Anterior pelvic tilt/Forward tilt).
- There should be even distribution of your weight spread between both buttocks.
- Avoid sitting with a Rotated pelvis.
- Your knees should be equal distance away from you
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The 10 reasons why you don’t position your pelvis properly
(…And exercises to fix it!)
1. A lack of understanding on how to position the pelvis
There are these pointy bones at the bottom of your pelvis called the ischial tuberosities (… let’s call them your Sit bones).
To place your pelvis in a neutral position, try to “Sit on your Sit bones”.
How to sit on your Sit bones
- Locate the Sit bones:
- Whilst sitting down, slide your hands underneath your hip.
- Feel for a bony prominence.
- Visualize these bones as upside down triangles.
- Tilt your pelvis forwards and backwards.
- As you are doing this, feel for when the sit bones protrude into your hands the most.
- This corresponds to when your pelvis is in the neutral position.
- The aim is to sit directly on top of the point of the triangle.
Note: Most people tend to sit with their tail bone tucked underneath (Posterior pelvic tilt) and sit behind their sit bones.
2. Poor pelvis control
If you are unable to completely control your pelvis, it can be difficult to move your pelvis into the ideal position.
The following exercise will help strengthen your Psoas muscle:
Instructions:
- Sit down on a chair.
- Proceed to tilt your pelvis forwards and backwards.
- Avoid excessive movements of your torso.
- (Only the pelvis should be moving.)
- Repeat 30 times.
3. Incorrect chair
How can you position your pelvis correctly if the chair that you sit on does not support you?
a) Seat Height
- a) Your hip and knees must be at a 90-100 degrees angle.
- b) Your feet must be flat on the floor.
- (If you have shorter legs, consider using a foot stool)
- c) Your hips should be slightly higher than your knees.
b) Seat tilt
The seat of the chair should be flat or tilted slightly forward.
This will help promote the most neutral position of the pelvis.
c) Get a better chair!
If you are looking to get a new chair, make sure you know what you should be looking for.
Check out this post: Characteristics of a good office chair
4. Tight hamstrings
Tight hamstrings (especially the upper region) will pull your pelvis into a posterior pelvic tilt whilst in a seated position.
a) Upper hamstring
Instructions:
- Whilst standing, place a bent knee on a block in front of you.
- Bend forward by hinging at the hips.
- Aim to feel a stretch in the upper region of the hamstrings.
- Remember to keep your back straight!
- Hold for 30 seconds.
b) Lower/mid hamstring
Instructions:
- Whilst standing, place your straightened leg in front of you on a block.
- Keep your foot pointed.
- Bend forward by hinging at the hips.
- Keep your back straight.
- Aim to feel a stretch in the lower/mid region of the hamstrings.
- Hold for 30 seconds.
5. Tight gluteal muscles
Instructions:
- Lie on your back with your knees bent and feet on the floor.
- Place your left ankle on the right knee.
- Grab your right knee and pull towards your chest.
- Aim to feel a stretch at the back of your left hip.
- Ensure that you arch your lower back to increase the stretch.
- Hold for 30 seconds.
- Alternate sides.
6. Poor lumbar spine strength
The main muscles responsible for tilting your pelvis into a good position are called your lower back erectors.
If these muscles are weak or inhibited, it will be difficult to get your pelvis into a neutral position.
Back Extensions
Instructions:
- Lie on the floor with your arms reach out in front of you.
- Lift up both arms and legs in the air.
- Aim to feel a contraction of the muscles in your lower back.
- Hold for 5 seconds.
- Repeat 20 times.
7. Weak core muscles
Once you have achieved a neutral position of the pelvis whilst sitting, the body relies on strong core muscles to maintain this position.
a) Dead bug exercise
Instructions:
- Lie on your back with your knee and hip bent at 90 degrees
- (Horizontal sitting position)
- Engage the core and abdominal muscles throughout all movements.
- (Think about drawing your belly button down into your spine.)
- Keeping your right knee bent towards your chest, slowly lower AND straighten the left leg towards the ground.
- Only lower as far as you can whilst maintaining your lower back completely flat on the ground.
- A small amount of arch in the lower back is fine.
- Aim to feel the contraction of your abdominal wall.
- Return back to starting position.
- Alternate legs.
- Repeat 10 times.
8. Lack of hip flexion
Adequate hip flexion mobility is required when sitting down.
If you lack flexion in the hip joint (and/or have hip impingement), your body will compensate by tilting your pelvis backwards as you sit down.
Hip joint traction
Instructions:
- Lie on the floor in the position as shown.
- Anchor a thick resistance band to a stationary object.
- Flex your hip to 90 degrees.
- Wrap the resistance band as high up into the hip crease as possible.
- Move your whole body further away from the anchor point.
- This to create tension on the band.
- Hold onto your knee with your hands.
- Keep the hip completely relaxed.
- Hold for 1-2 minutes.
- Alternate sides.
9. Lack of lumbar spine extension
If you have a stiff lower back, this may prevent your pelvis from moving into the correct position when sitting.
Lower back extension stretch
Instructions:
- Lie on your stomach.
- Place hands on floor directly under shoulders.
- Straighten your elbows.
- Arch backwards.
- (Note: Be careful if you have lower back issues)
- Aim to feel a stretch across your abdominal region.
- Breathe and expand your stomach as you stretch.
- Hold for 60 seconds.
10. Large belly size
If you tend to have a large stomach, this will create a physical block between your pelvis and thighs.
If you fall into this category, I suggest that you sit from a slightly higher chair so that the angle between your thigh and body is around 120 degrees.
This is to make sure your knees are lower than your hips to provide enough room around the front of the pelvis to move into the neutral position.
Alternatively – you can try using a kneeling chair.
Conclusion:
- If you sit for a long period of time, it is important to maintain the optimal position of the pelvis.
- Your entire posture is based on how the pelvis sits.
- Aim to “Sit on your Sit bones” by tilting your pelvis forward.
- Consider addressing these 10 reasons why it is difficult to maintain correct position of the pelvis.
What to do next:
1. Any questions?… (Leave me a comment down below.)
2. Come join me on the Facebook page. Let’s keep in touch!
3. Sit with the correct pelvis position.
Your site has been so helpful! Do you have any recommendations on how to avoid posterior pelvic tilt while sitting in bed?
Hey Stacey,
Glad to hear the site has been helpful!
You can place a pillow behind your lower back to maintain the neutral arch of the spine. This should help minimize some of the posterior pelvic tilt whilst sitting on the bed.
Mark
Mark, I sure hope you’re still monitoring this site. Anyway, I have gone through 6 months of chiropractic adjustments, mainly in my hips, for a rear end accident where the drunk driver was traveling 100mph. The Dr. did as he promised: made me feel better than the day before the accident. Now that I’m healed, I’m truly loving the range of motion.
I’ve always had good posture, and because I write, I sit a lot. Now that I’m healed, I’m really noticing my ‘sit bones’, I mean, I’m extremely aware of their presence. There is no pain. However, I have ample cushion on my backside, nothing flat there. In the past, I think I may have been sitting on all this cushion, but now it feels that my butt is lifted away from my sit bones, and I’m sitting directly on bone. Again, there is no pain, just an incredible awareness.
I have always been unable to cross my legs, and even after a 20 lb weight loss, I still can’t, but that’s not an issue for me. Also, I still have maybe 40 lbs of weight loss to go.
My question is, am I supposed to be feeling the prominence of my sit bones? I’m actually beginning to sit on a pillow. Again, I remind you, there is no pain. What’s up?
Hi Race,
Definitely still monitoring the site! (You can also find more on the facebook page where I post things fairly regularly.)
Great to hear you have recovered from that intense rear end accident.
If you are sitting on a hard chair, you should feel the prominence of your sit bones (Ischial tuberosity). You want to balance your body weight on top of these sits bone and the anterior pelvic floor musculature. If you are noticing that sits bones more than usual, it might be related to the 20 lbs weight loss which may have provided some padding.
Mark
Hi Mark,
I have good posture when sitting. My pelvis is neutral my spine straight. But when I stand up tall my posture looks weird. My low back is rounded, my belly sticks out although I am not fat and have strong Core muscles and my upper back is leaning back and is more rounded. Is it possible that my hip flexors are too short? If yes, why are they short? I move a lot and hike a lot.
Thank you,
Jessica
Hey Jessica,
Are you referring to Sway Back Posture? (see post)
If this is the case, your hip flexors may actually be lengthened!
If you do not have sway back posture, the next posture I would think it could be (especially as you mentioned that your belly sticks out) is the anterior pelvic tilt (see post)
Mark
Hey Mark,
Your page is awesome.. I keep looking for issues and exercises which I face. I wanna know if there are any particular exercises for sacrum stability. My complete body is twisted coz of injury and m trying to settle it back one by one..
Thanks in advance
Rajat
Hi Rajat,
If your main issue is a twisted body, I would recommend having a look at these 2 blog posts:
1. Rotated Pelvis
2. Twisted Spine
They can influence the position of the sacrum.
Mark
HI Mark,
I have followed through several of your posts, they are great & thorough. I’ve had PT & many other things for years now which seems to all stem from a variety of posture-related problems & a basic imbalance of left/right hip/psoas/glute/core engagement, etc. For example my right hip flexors, upper hamstring, psoas, glute med, all super tight on the right side. Left side not nearly as bad. As you can imagine this imbalance while can be made temporarily better by many of the above exercises, etc. mobility work, (have tried tons), it very quickly reverts after nearly any improper sitting. When tight even walking around like a normal human being is tough without compensating tightness in my calf, or IT, or left knee. BTW I am a very athletic 44 y/o and trying to stay that way but things like running & biking which are my mainstays are increasingly difficult as it’s tough to get a good consistent levelset where i feel equal on both sides & can perform. It’s truly ended up affected or being affected to back/knees/etc.
Disclaimer: my wife is a very good PT specializing in endurance athletes but for various reasons treating me probably not the best but she helps a lot. Sorry that’s a ton of info, been dealing with this for long time.
Any suggestions you might think of? Things I may be missing :) Thanks in advance!!!
Hey Michael,
Have you checked if your pelvis is rotated towards one side? (See post: Rotated pelvis).
This can often lead to asymmetries between the left and right side.
Mark
It can also be related to twisting or side bending in the spine.
Mark
Mark, my hip flexors are in terrible shape. I sit all day at a computer. Except for r some stretching, they are too weak to do more. I’m thinking of buying a squat machine, such as the DB or Sunny Health & Fitness Squat Assist machine. Do you think that will help me strengthen until I am able to do more on my own? Even lifting my foot to get into the driver seat of my car is impossible unless I lift my right leg by the fabric of my pants to get the right foot into the car. Would you please give me your opinion?
Hello Yvette,
If you want some basic hip flexor strengthening exercises, I have some mentioned on this blog post HERE. (you’ll need to scroll down to the Hip flexor strengthening part)
The machine you mentioned does not specifically target the hip flexors, but is good for general lower limb strengthening.
Mark
Thank you for this! Been suffering since moving into a desk job. Never thought about my pelvis. This helped me ALOT.
Hi I have great difficulty sitting cross legged. It hurts my knees front thigh, inner thigh and hips. I can’t sit up straight unless I’m sat on a blanket or block. What could be causing this. Any advice.
Hi Ibolya,
It sounds like you might have limited hip external rotation when your hips are in a flexed position.
If you check out this post and scroll down to Hip External rotation, there are some exercises there might help you out.
Mark
Hello Mark I have an issue where when I sit in a cross legged position (Indian style) or straight leg position on the floor my pelvis is locked into posterior rotation and my lower back rounds out. I’m unable to sit upright properly, move my pelvis, or bend forward in this scenario. I’m unsure as to what could be causing it because I never had such an issue a year or so ago. Any ideas on what could be the culprit? I’m also unable to keep my entire back flat against a wall while standing I have to rotate my pelvis to make my lower back flat and my upper shoulder region won’t completely touch either.
Hey Anthony,
There are several reasons for the things you have mentioned.
1. Lack of hip external rotation will make it difficult to sit up right in a crossed leg position.
2. Tight hamstrings can make it difficult to tilt the pelvis forwards when long sitting. See: Hamstring stretches
3. If you can’t flatten your back against the wall, this might suggest that your upper back is rounded. See: HunchbackMark
Hello Mark,
I’m feeling uncomfortable at my legs when I straighten them while lying down, it’s like they can’t relax, and I was wondering if it was because of hip flexors tightness?
Thanks!
Hey Gerrard,
It very well could be.
One way to test is to do some hip flexor stretches before you sleep (or throughout the day) and see if that makes a difference.
Mark
Hello, with the current Stay at Home order, I am sitting often everyday on my bed cross legged and my knees are higher than my hips as my bum sinks into the mattress a bit as they would be in on the floor in a crossed legged position too. I am now wondering if this a bad position to be in. Most cues from yoga classes are to sit with a bolster if the knees are higher than the hips in a crossed legged position during meditation. Thanks for the informative post.
Hi Mark my name is Rakesh im glad i found this site my body has all the posture problems mentioned in this site leaving scoliosis and sway back so i need some advice from which part to start the exercise and end
Thank You
Hi my name is Rakesh im gald to find this site . I have all the posture problem from head to toe so, i need an advice from where to start
Thank You
Hey Rakesh,
I am glad that you found this website!
In terms of where to start, hard to say exactly where without knowing your problems.
Any area in particular?
Mark
i have problem with
* forward hesd posture
* rouned shoulers
* huntchback
* hyperlordosis
* anterior pelvic tilt
* flatfeet ..
* Knee Valgus
* Dowager’s Hump
* Shoulder Impingement
* Winged Scapula
hi after sitting too long my sitting bones hurt. do you know why?
Hi there,
Sit bones are quite prominent.
Sitting on firm chairs (eg. no cushion) or having lack of glute thickness can contribute to this pain.
Mark
Hi Mark.
I left a comment few minutes ago.
I want to mention this:
“I tried to sit tall on the chair with fixed on the floor.
I moved my upper body forward and backward frequently for 15 times.
When I standed up, I felt engagement in my stomach area.”
Is it normal?
Hey Hamid,
I would check to see if you are sitting with a posterior pelvic tilt.
It is possible that your lower back may be sensitive in this pelvis position.
Mark
Hey mark.
I have an intresting issue!
When I sit cross legged, every thing is great. No pain, no stiffness in upper back.
But if I sit on the chair(specially if I lean backward on the chair),
My lumbar spine starts pain and my upper back gets stiff.
Do you know what my problem is?
My hamstrings are not tight ( I can touch my toe easily.
Hi Mark,
What position should I be in for the hip joint traction.
Thanks,
Ben
Hey Ben,
Check out the JOINT MOBILIZATION section in this post: Fix hip impingement.
Hope it helps!
Mark
hi my problem is if i stand my pelvis is neutral but if i sit it is posterior tilted and my low back is flat what can be the cause? should i strech my hamstrings?
Hey Andy,
Most like UPPER hamstrings are tight.
Check out this post: Hamstring stretches.
You will also likely need to work on working your muscles to improve tilting your pelvis forwards.
Mark
hello Mark,
Interesting how you don’t hint at week abdominals or tight hip flexors.
When I’m sitting incorrectly I notice I have the tenancy to anteriorly pelvic tilt which actually gives me thoracic pain as well as tight spinal erectors.
Hey Nail,
If you sit with an excessive anterior pelvic tilt, you might be over arching your lower back?
Mark
hi if i sitt in correct posture my low back starts to hurt what should i do and why does it hurt?
Hey Candy,
It might be that your lower back is a bit sensitive to being arched backwards.
Do you have a prominent lumbar lordosis (arched back in standing)?
If so – check out this blog post: Lumbar Hyperlordosis.
Mark
Mark, I just want/need to say I’m truly grateful for you and your posts. I stumbled upon your “Sway Back Posture” post. And have traveled to the “upper crossed syndrome,” and even the “forward head tilt” post. Each and every one of these posts have blessed my life! I’ve been to doctor after doctor, dealing with anxieties, pains, and pressures that no one could identify. Spending countless dollars that I didn’t really have, hoping that one after the other would be the answer/breakthrough I was looking for. I prayed and found your posts, and have been feeling and moving like my old (younger athletic) self. I even think it may decrease my blood pressure, since the doctors couldn’t find out why it was elevated either.
God Bless you Brother!
Hi J. Hoover,
Wow – thank you so much for leaving me this comment!
These comments really encourage me to put even better content out!
I am ecstatic to hear that you are starting to feel and move better.
All the best!
Mark
Great post! Thank you.
I was wondering, why is it easier to tilt the pelvis forward when one sits on a block (e.g. during the Yoga Pose Sukhasana). Is it actually because of the space that the larger angle (between torso and folded legs) would create?
Best,
Manal
Hi Manal,
If you sit on a block, your hip is actually in less hip flexion. This means as you tilt forwards, there is room for the pelvis to move.
Mark
Thanks for your post. The back of my legs only toward the upper area, feel a constant dull ache. I read your post thoroughly and am going to try to exercises you provided.
But so far your site provided me with the most helpful information. I appreciate that!
Thanks for dropping by Kelly.
Hope the exercises help!
Mark
Hello Mark,
Your work is really helpful. I was wondering if you offer any online assessment as a service, aside from the free ones you offer on Fb. I am sure it’s worth the price.
Hey Eric,
Unfortunately – I don’t offer that service at the moment.
But out of curiosity, how much do you think a online assessment is worth?
Thanks in advanced.
Mark
Hello!
I would pay around 30-40 eur a month gladly to be able to get your coaching online! :)
Thanks Robert!
I’ll keep you mind if I do decide to coach online!
Thanks for the support.
Mark
hey Man, super article, one query why do you in point 9 say s Lower back extension stretch, it is not a stretch ? or is it ? Kindly advice
Hey Shail,
It’s a stretch for abdominal muscles. But it also helps mobilise the lower back joints into extension.
Mark
Hey Mark!
Thanks for your awesome information! It’s very challenging to grasp.
About Back Extensions: is the head resting on the floor?
Best regards,
Anthony
Hey Anthony,
The head will be lifted at the same time/rate as the chest is lifted off the floor.
Mark
Hi Mark,
Thank you very much for what you have written in your blog. They are really good articles. You are so nice shared so much with us! I will try to read as much as I can. Wish you all the best!
Hi Sue,
Thanks for the comment.
Good luck with the exercises.
Mark
Hi Mark,
This is interesting, thanks. I just can’t seem to sit well even practicing the stretches above, although they help. My pelvis always tilts so I am sitting behind my sits bones and my shoulders crawl forward and my spine is hunched after a short period of sitting. Would strengthening abdominals help?
Thanks, Jane
Hi Jane,
Strengthening your core muscles will help with the sitting.
You may also need to look else in your posture to see if it making it more difficult to sit correctly. A common tight area is the thoracic spine.
Check out this post: Hunchback posture.
Mark
Hello,
For Years I have been dealing with a bulging disk that when my back flares up it will automatically go criqute. But this time around my back feels somewhat tilted to the left side and I have been feeling it more recent a lot I’m always trying to stretch or maybe tighten my abs to help me stand straight. Do you think I should get my back aligned or my hip is off. Since you can see the difference from my hips . My husband thinks maybe because I carry my toddler on my left side all the time but now my arm is hurting me a lot .
Mark thank you so much for all your information. It has helped me, and I have been pain free for 3 months now. The only problem I have is the “sofa,” we tend to relax and all posture goes to hell. So using your information I’ve been sitting on a chair. So my question Mark is, “Is there a way to sit comfortably on a sofa or anywhere else that I could relax without hurting my back, that is not my bed. And is there a better sleeping position, for the back?’
Hey Tina,
Glad to hear that you’re pain free now!
It is quite hard to sit with good posture on a sofa. I usually recommend to just side lie on it. (Just make sure your head is supported properly)
For sleeping position, check out this post: Best sleeping position.
Mark
Hey Mark,
I started having lower back pain and sciatica over a year ago. 31 years old, played basketball for 1-2 hours a day almost every day, until it got to the point where the pain was too much to run. 2.5 months ago it got to the point where it was painful to walk, so I got an MRI which showed a bulging disc & herniation. My PT only did stretching which got me nowhere, until my bro in law (an ex physical trainer) checked me out and concluded I had 0 muscle in my legs. I started doing a workout regimen 3 wks ago and already feel much better, but I do notice (my acupuncturist did as well) that my right pelvic bone is out while my left is in. Any advice? Btw, I saw 3 PTs, 2 chiros that all obsessed with and tried to fix the “disc issue”, while the real issues were my muscles
and my alignment / pelvis. Any feedback would be awesome.
Hey Matt G,
Stronger legs means less pressure on your lower back. This alone could help with your lower back issue.
A right pelvic bone that is more forward than the left is probably due to a LEFT ROTATED PELVIS.
Mark
Hi Mark,
Thank you for your articles on sitting as well as lateral pelvic tilt!!! Can a tight hip flexor, quad or IT band be enough to cause SI joint dysfunction? …I’ve been dealing with SIJD for quite some time and often after a few days of improvement from a chiropractic adjustments, the joint slips right back out of alignment…often at night, waking me up, even though I sleep on my back on a firm mattress and am wearing an SI belt. Tonight I noticed slight tightness in my lateral quad after it happened. I’ve been stretching and strengthening glutes, core, and pelvic floor to try to fix this. Any thoughts on how to prevent my SIJD?
Hi Monica,
With SIJ issues, it is either too compressed or too loose. What exercises you will do will depend on this.
If you are wearing a SI belt, I will assume the chiropractor has assessed that your SI is too loose.
Any muscle that controls pelvis movements can affect the SIJ.
In general (but not limited to), the glute max exercises are the way to go for this.
Mark
Hi mark.
your article is great and i want to ask that m having pain while sitting in pelvis it’s because of prolonged sitting in office with tailbone tucked in by which i also feel difficulty in urination and defecation i think that position has tightened my pelvic muscles any suggestions will be great help thanks
Love the article! I have been struggling with lower back pain and can’t tell if I have anterior or posterior pelvic tilt or swayback or something else.
I feel like certain stretches contradict each other depending on what you have (ex. APT: don’t stretch hamstrings…PVT: stretch hamstrings, don’t stretch hip flexors)
I’m not sure what I have but I would say I have a flat back but I feel like my pelvis has an anterior shift. Any advice on what to do?
Love your articles, super helpful. thanks!
Hi Spencer!
Glad to hear that you love this article!
Did you want me to have a look at your posture? I am happy to look at it if you want. Feel free to send me a message on the facebook page.
Mark
Hi Mark,
I have been looking for anything more on neural tension on your site, given your reference to it here. I get that ‘neural’ pain when I try to stretch my hamstrings before I think I am really stretching the muscle, but my attempts at ‘stretching it out’ don’t seem to work and I am not even at 90º let long touching my toes!
Do you have more advice or information you could refer me to on that topic?
Thanks!
Hi Tams,
If you have neural tension, you can try flossing/gliding the nerve:
More importantly, make sure you do not have anterior pelvic tilt as this will over stretch your hamstring area.
Post: Anterior pelvic tilt
Any nerve irritations along the spine can cause neural tension in the leg as well.
Mark
hello Mark,
Interesting how you dont hint at week abdominals or tight hip flexors.
When im sitting incorrectly i notice i have the tenancy to anteriorly pelvic tilt which actual gives me thoracic pain as well a tight spinal erectors.
To compensate i have to engage core and “tuck” my pelvis to bring it back to neutral.
Hey Stefan,
You’re absolutely right. Core activation in conjunction with the para spinals is most definitely an integral part of efficient sitting.
Mark
What’s your facebook name? i have some questions i would like to ask about my posture and knee/hip. Please!
Hi Eva,
Click here and it’ll take you to the facebook page.
Thanks.
Mark
I stand with me knees somewhat bent backwards (always have). I have a flat butt and my stomachs does protrude. I am 5’6 female 162 lbs. I carry most of my weight in stomached and chest. I have been working at a desk job now for 3 years. Sometimes when I do stand to do certain things I will tend to slightly arch my back and have a painful lower back spasm in the arch of my back. When I stand up after sitting it will hurt. And even hurts when I sleep. I mostly try to sleep on my side with a pillow between my knees. Sadly I am pretty seditary right now. I am 45 and feeling like I am 80. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. I also have had fallen arches and hypermobile issues in my right foot that resulted in a bunionectomy with fusion (lapidus mcbride procedure) in 2009. The surgery was successful and helped.
Hey Shannon,
Do you have a sway back posture? Check out this post.
Mark
Hi Mark.
Can you make a guide for exercises to stretch the pelvic floor?
Hi Sefdi,
How do you know if your pelvis floor is tight and requires stretching?
And which particular pelvic floor muscles are you referring to?
Mark
Thanx a million Mark. Much appreciated.
My pleasure, Koksal!
Hello. I love and so needed your article. I’m 44 now and was injured in a car accident when I was about 13. I’ve had 1 child who is now 21. As like no as I could remember when I started having organ exams I’ve been told my pelvic was tilted. I never received treatment from the auto accident (perhaps my mother didn’t think we were injured but she received years of treatment) and I just learned this week that I have issues with pelvic tilt and hip crookedness. However my lower pelvis tilts backward causing me to kind of walk with my butt on my back ( only way to describe it). It’s outward. I’m going to start chiropractic treatments to hopefully correct these issues. In your field, have you seen these things corrected and how long does it take with a few treatments or alignments a week? Desperately trying to correct my walk, stand, posture and my butt appearance.
Hi Barry,
Do you mean you have an anterior pelvic tilt? Or a posterior pelvic tilt?
They can definitely be corrected! But in terms of how long it is going to take, that is really depends on the individual.
Mark
This has been extremely helpful- thank you! Wpull you recommend sitting on a pillow/towel in a char to elevate the hips a bit if your chair dips down on the buttocks? I know I have to sit elevated on the floor in yoga and that helps but I want to make sure it is the same concept before doing more damage…
Hey Stephanie,
That is fine to do.
I believe they sell seat wedges for this purpose too.
Mark
Thank you for this treasure trove of posture help Mark! I’ve been in constant pain for years, and now I feel like I’m on the right track. I am enjoying your kind and clear writing style too. Summer blessings to you!:-)
Hi Natalie,
Thanks for the comment!
Summer blessings would be perfect now. (it’s winter here in Australia)
Mark
this website is amazing… thanks so much for taking the time to be so thorough about the why’s and how’s and sharing this with the public. I’ve been reading a lot of this over the past few days, and I’m going to start many of these exercises today. Thank you !!!!!!!
Hey Sarah!
Let me know if you need individual help :)
Mark
Hello, I have a clicky hip.
Can it be ‘fixed’ forever with exercise alone, as per ALL the chiropractors, physios and wonderfully intended health people?
I’m pretty sick of forever exercising all the time. I’m 50. Weigh 60kg.
Just wondering.
Hey Swizz,
What is the exact cause of your clicky hip?
This will direct which SPECIFIC exercise you should do to completely eliminate the issue.
Mark
Hey I have asked a question on your post and it’s been ages and STILL no reply?
Help please
How does one find out the exact cause of a clicky hip?
Hi Sue,
I would get this assessed in person by a health professional.
It could be hip arthrosis, labral issues, poor control of hip musculature, misaligned pelvis over hip bones, tendons flicking over a bony prominence.
Depending on the cause of a clicking hip will determine what you should do next.
Mark
Hi Sue Kerr,
I could not find your question.
Could you please ask it again?
Mark
my pelvis tilts during hip flexor stretch tell me the solution.
Hi Aryan,
You will need to engage your glute muscles to rotate your pelvis backwards (“tuck your tail bone underneath you”) whilst you perform the hip flexor stretch.
Keep your abdominals slightly engaged will help maintain a good alignment of your pelvis as well.
Mark
Would a grade 2 spondylolisthesis at l5 s1 contribute to pelvic tilt? Thanks.
Hi Mike,
L5/S1 spondylolisthesis can contribute to an anterior pelvic tilt, but more so, is likely a result of an anterior pelvic tilt.
Mark
Thank you so much! I have had problems with a flat to spine causing heart palpitations and back pain for almost 25 years an’s I didn’t realize how I sit on my pelvis could affect that. I also have trouble with my legs falling asleep while sitting and getting sharp zinging pains in my toes. I tried a few of these exercises and it was obvious immediately that my hips are tight and contributing to the problem. I think what you wrote here will really help me. Thank you.
Hi Tabitha,
Thanks for the comment.
Without a good position of your pelvis, it is very difficult to achieve good posture.
Remember to have a look around at the other posts on the blog if you haven’t already :)
Mark
Fabulous advice.
Cheers Lin!
Hi, thank you so much for this!! I study yoga insruction ( first year out of two) and this is so useful for me and for my students. Thank you for the time and consideration.:-)
Cheers Noa!
I am so glad I found your site! My current job which I have had for a few months is completely desk based. I sit for 8 hours at my desk, and another hour or so on the train each day. I have definitely noticed an anterior pelvic tilt and wanted to sort it out sooner rather than later. Very useful and detailed information so I really know what I am doing about my posture problems (and why!). Only thing is some of these stretches hurt- ouch! I suppose they will get easier the more I do them. Thanks so much Mark.
Hey Andrea!
Great to see that you have taken the first step in correcting your posture. Better to fix it sooner than later, I say!
Thanks Mark for this advice.
One problem I have that when I sit to read, I like to have my book close to my face. Is there a way to do that without crouching forward? Bending the whole upper body, forward, but keeping the back straight?
Thanks and all the best
Florian
Hi Florian,
Always maintain the upright posture as suggested here.
If you like to read with the book close to your face, make sure that your elbows are supported at the appropriate level as to prevent a neutral head position.