Anterior pelvic tilt is actually a quite normal postural position. For men, pelvic tilt should ideally be 0-5 degrees, and for women, 7-10 degrees, both in the anterior pelvic tilt position. There are, of course disagreements with regards to this issue, due to the fact that every body has slight variations such as pelvic bone size.
What needs to be corrected is NOT anterior pelvic tilt, but instead EXCESSIVE anterior pelvic tilt that is beyond the “normal” ranges. Why would we need to do this?
Excessive anterior pelvic tilt can contribute heavily to postural dysfunction. As the pelvis tilts anteriorly, the thigh bones rotate inward, causing an increased stress on the medial (inside) portion of the knee joints. This torque force, over time, can be a major cause of ending an athlete’s career early. Along with this inward rotation of the thigh bone, comes increased weight bearing on the inside of the foot. This puts extra stress and strain on the muscles that supinate the foot. “Fallen arches” are a common result of excessive anterior pelvic tilt. However, the opposite can be true as well. Flat feet can contribute to excessive anterior pelvic tilt.
Excessive anterior pelvic tilt also plays a major part in upper body postural distortion. The pelvis essentially controls the amount of curve in the lumbar spine (lower back). When the pelvis tips too far in an anterior direction, the arch in the lower back increases significantly. Now, based on the Lovett-Brother reactor system, what happens in the lower back will happen in the neck. If the lower back extends excessively, then the neck will too. This is based on reflexes, and our basic survival mechanisms that keep our eyes, ears, and jaw level with the horizon.
As the neck extends, it will tend to “jut” forward causing a common condition known as “forward head posture”. This situation creates a tremendous amount of stress at the based of the neck, and creates a stream of muscle imbalances throughout the body as the central nervous system strains to create a balanced platform.
As you can see, excessive anterior pelvic tilt can dramatically alter the function of both the upper and lower body, and contribute heavily to many joint and muscle dysfunctions. Correcting it is an essential part of any postural re-education program.