This is for those who think their pelvis may be out of alignment or have sacro-iliac (SI) joint dysfunction. It sometimes feels like one leg is longer than the other when walking. It can often be thrown out of alignment stepping off a curb or stair unexpectedly. The sacrum is that upside-down triangular bone that your lumbar spine sits on. It is the base for the spinal column and is a strong bone that supports the weight of the upper body as it is spread across the pelvis and into the legs. The ilium are the bones on the right and left sides of the pelvis. The SI joint is held together by ligaments, which are often overstretched by yogis who push themselves too far. Because ligaments do not have the ability to recoil (come back to their normal tautness) as muscles do, it can leave the SI joint hypermobile or unstable.
This video includes assessing which side of the pelvis (ilium) is rotated forward or backward. Although the pelvis is not limited to these misalignments, I have found these to be the most common. The correction part includes muscle energy techniques for the ilium (the two sides of the pelvis), sacrum and pubic bone.
I would also recommend seeing a manual Physical Therapist or competent healthcare practitioner that can help release the soft tissue is may be tight or shortened and contributing to pulling the bones of out place. There is also the emotional component to your pelvis being out of alignment and is often accompanied by stress from a particular situation and/or unconscious repressed thoughts that make one feel unstable and fearful. Do not underestimate the effects of stress on the physical body, such as not using your respiratory diaphragm to breathe, which will also affect your pelvic diaphragm. Much of this can be successfully addressed with meditation, yoga, mindfulness, etc… This blog is just to give you some ideas for addressing the structural component of the issue, but please remember your physical body is only one piece of your healing process!
If you are interested in uncovering the repressed emotional component to your physical pain, please email me with inquiries about the SomatoEmotional Release process at somer@yogadoctors.tv. For alignment-based Yoga, online videos for stabilization of the pelvis and lower back and Kundalini meditations, please visit www.yogadoctors.tv/videos and try us out for $1!
Dr. Somer Nicole
Founder of YogaDoctors.TV
Doctor of Physical Therapy
Kundalini and Hatha Yoga Teacher
CranioSacral Therapist & SomatoEmotional Release Practitioner
Reiki Master/Teacher
