The hip and its relationship to the lumbar spine

The relationship between hip movement and low back pain is the main focus here. Reduced hip mobility, especially when combined with weak abdominal control, can force excessive movement into the lumbar spine and contribute to pain. Key examples include limited hip extension increasing lumbar extension during walking, and limited hip flexion leading to extra lumbar flexion. Sway-back posture, posterior pelvic tilt, knee hyperextension, and reduced glute activity are presented as common patterns that stress both the hip and back. It also explains movement impairment patterns such as anterior glide syndrome, hip hypermobility, and structural variations like femoral anteversion and retroversion. Learners are shown how these patterns affect rotation, flexion, gait, and exercise selection. Assessment methods include observation, Thomas test, Craig’s test, hip rotation testing, psoas strength testing, glute-versus-hamstring activation, rocking back, and walking analysis. Treatment emphasizes restoring hip motion while controlling the lumbar spine, reducing overactivity in muscles such as TFL, IT band, hamstrings, and erector spinae, and improving activation of the abdominals, psoas, gluteus maximus, and gluteus medius through targeted exercises.