Lordosis options

[KarinUS]

Sorry for putting this in the disabled section but I couldn't find a better fit.

I am working hard to achieve neutral spine for riding (and yoga -I am working on it in yoga too) but still look wonky.

As a child I was diagnosed with lordosis -meaning the lower spine (lumbar) region curves in much more than normal.

Even if I really try to tuck my tail bone under I still am left with duck butt!

Honestly it hasn't bothered me in real life but achieving that perfect neutral spine for riding seems almost unachievable.

Does anybody have any experience with fixing lordosis in adults?
What kind of specialist would you even ask? Physical therapist? Chiropractor? Orthopedic Surgeon?

[MissMare]

Hi, I haven't been diagnosed with lordosis but do know my lower spine curves in more than it normally does. It hasn't really bothered me that much - but if I was training to be a dressage rider I'm sure it would stand out!

I had some treatment called Amatsu which helps with my posture. It's like a gentler version of Chiropractory. A Chiropractor just caused me pain. The only problem is, there aren't many Amatsu practitioners around.

[Jane&Ziggy]

Gosh Karin my Mary Wanless instructor spotted this in me too! Pain in the a*se isn't it? It's never given me trouble in life, but it's as if riding my pony means I have to fix 50 years of faulty posture.

I have had lots of help from my chiropractor friend. She gently straightens me out and coaxes my recalcitrant vertebrae into a straighter frame. I have also worked on my core strength as I don't have the right musculature in my back to hold my spine right.

Best thing I have found, though, is just thinking about it and tucking my butt under all the time. Standing at the till in the cafe... sitting writing this... whenever I remember... tuck, tuck, tuck.

It still sticks out though...

[KarinUS]

Originally Posted by Jane&Ziggy

Best thing I have found, though, is just thinking about it and tucking my butt under all the time. Standing at the till in the cafe... sitting writing this... whenever I remember... tuck, tuck, tuck.

It still sticks out though...

I do the same! lol. Even driving in the car. And then I check in the bathroom mirror ...and still duck butt!

I am actually wondering what's the more important benefit of the neutral spine:
a) the stability
or
b) the range of motion

With neutral spine in a normal shaped back you get both but with our curved spines I find when I get close to achieving neutral spine then I am about as far under as I can get so range of motion would be impacted.

[eml]

I had issues, not through problems, but how I was taught to sit when I started riding (in the dark ages!!) Alexander Technique lessons and following a lot of Sally Swift's imagery has helped me.

If you have a physical problem however do not imagine yourself looking like a 'perfect' rider but find the position that makes your horse go best. After years of teaching I have concluded our horse are the best judges/reflection of our position.

[Sunshine-x]

Everyone has a degree of lumber lordosis but you obviously must have excessive lordosis. Often in people with excessive lumbar lordosis you also get excessive thoracic kyphosis. I have an kyphotic abnormality due to q fractured spine but the most important thing is to strengthen your core muscles as well as those in your back. It's important to strengthen the descried spinae which are the muscles which run parallel to your spine. Also to strengthen the multifidus which are the muscles inbetwren the individual vertebrae. As with any strengthening programme it is important to do the front s as well as the back, in this case the abdominals and the obliques. Any decent physio will be able to design a programme to suit your needs.

[KarinUS]

I've been working on this and I am glad I did.
For a little while I was wondering if perhaps my curvy spine was neutral for me... but NO
I CAN flatten it while riding and it's making all the difference.
My seatbones don't get as sore. I can much more easily follow the movement in sitting trot and especially canter. Getting the back straight seems very important.

[Jane&Ziggy]

I absolutely agree that for riding it's a must. Without it my seatbones clearly aren't plugged in to Ziggy's back, and he does just what he likes!