Anterior pelvic tilt is really a truly ordinary 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 when considering this matter, simply because that every body has slight variations which include pelvic bone size.
What must be corrected isn't anterior pelvic tilt, but instead EXCESSIVE anterior pelvic tilt which is beyond the "normal" ranges. Why would we need to do this?
Excessive anterior pelvic tilt can contribute heavily to postural dysfunction. When the pelvis tilts anteriorly, the thigh bones rotate inward, causing a greater force on the medial (inside) aspect 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 medial side the foot. This puts extra stress and force on the muscles that supinate the foot. "Fallen arches" certainly are a common result of excessive anterior pelvic tilt. However, the alternative may be true as well. Flat feet can play a role in excessive anterior pelvic tilt.
Excessive anterior pelvic tilt also plays an important part in upper body postural distortion. The pelvis essentially controls the degree of curve in the lumbar spine (lower back). Once the pelvis tips too far in an anterior direction, the arch in the low back increases significantly. Now, due to the Lovett-Brother reactor system, what goes on in the lower back can 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.
Once the neck extends, it is going to tend to "jut" forward causing a common condition known as "forward head posture". This situation results in a considerable amount of stress at the base of the neck, and fosters a stream of muscle imbalances all over the body as the central nervous system strains to develop 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.
