The pelvis is a ring shape, that is balanced on top of your hip joints, it consists of 3 bones, two pelvic bones and the sacrum (tailbone). The sacroiliac joint joins the pelvic bone to the sacrum and is surrounded by some of the strongest ligaments in the body, making it very stable where little movement takes place, they do however, naturally loosen and tighten.

Misalignment causes one side of the pelvis to move forward and the other side to move backward. The side of the pelvis held forward causes the sacroiliac joint to slacken and prevents it from properly tightening and this effect is reversed on the opposite side of the body leaving the sacroiliac joint tightened and unable to slacken.  Either scenario can cause inflammation of the surrounding ligaments or the joint itself.

Symptoms: Pain, pins and needles or tingling usually felt in lower back, buttock and/or down the leg.

Reason misalignment is a factor: Your pelvis is the foundation to your spine, wherever the pelvis points the spine follows. Misalignment can result in more weight being pushed over to one side of the spine than the other. Discs in your spine can wear due to this excessive weight down one side, leading to bulging or full herniation (often called a slipped disc), which can compress the nerve. Aggravation of the nerve can be felt as pain in your back and can travel all the way down to your foot.

Symptoms: Pain, ache or stiffness in the arch of the back (lumbar region), centrally or to one side. The muscles around the spine often become tightened.

Reason misalignment is a factor: The joints between the vertebrae of the spine are known as facet joints. They are on either side of the spine and give our backs their range of motion.  In misalignment the pelvis directs the spine more to one side, this can cause the facet joints to tighten on the side that the spine has been directed. Tightened facet joints can eventually inflame, causing pain and muscle tightness.

Symptoms: Sharp stabbing pain or deep ache from the buttock down the leg, it can also be a burning, pins and needles or fizzing sensation.

Reason misalignment is a factor: Your piriformis is a muscle that externally rotates your hip. Misalignment can overly stretch the piriformis muscle. Your sciatic nerve runs very close to the piriformis and for about 15% of the population through it. This means that any deviation can result in compression of your sciatic nerve between your piriformis and the bony pelvis.
Note:  Sciatica is an umbrella term like “headache” there are many causes of a headache and in the same way many causes of sciatica. Disc bulges compressing the spinal nerve root can be another cause.

An anterior pelvic tilt is a postural disorder marked by a forward tilt of the pelvis. Pain caused by this tilt is heightened with increased pressure on the hips and lumbar spine during strenuous activities.

Posterior pelvic tilt results from an imbalance in muscle length between the anterior and posterior muscles of the body. This leads to a backward tilt of the pelvis, affecting the alignment of the spine.

Leg length discrepancy can be functional or anatomical. 

If you have anatomical leg length discrepancy, it means your bones are usually longer on one side.

Functional leg length difference is due to muscle imbalances, linked with posture issues and the twisting of the pelvis. A difference of 1cm can dramatically effect the forces travelling through the sacroiliac joints.

Lumbar Lordosis is the curve in the lower back. Hyperlordosis refers to excessive curvature.

Hyperlordosis leads to posture and gait degeneration, contributing to lower back pain. Prior to commencing intense activities, rectify Anterior Pelvic Tilt for proper body alignment

When one hip is externally rotated and the other internally rotated, the pelvis undergoes rotation along a vertical axis. This condition is known as pelvic misalignment, pelvic torsion, twisted pelvis, pelvic motion dysfunction or rotated pelvis.

The pelvis moves along 3 planes of movement. Regardless if its an:

1. Anterior tilt
2. posterior tilt
3. Lateral tilt
4. Pelvic rotation

Your spine, pelvis and hips all move differently along all 3 planes of movement causing excessive strain through muscle, ligaments and nerves.

Your piriformis is a muscle that externally rotates your hip. Misalignment can overly stretch the piriformis muscle. This can lead to inflammation and pain in your buttock.

Your sciatic nerve runs very close to the piriformis and for about 15% of the population through it. This means that any deviation can result in compression of your sciatic nerve between your piriformis and the bony pelvis.

It is common for people to unknowingly lean to one side, favour one leg, or 'hang' on one hip while standing. This can lead to the development of strength on one side of the body at the weakening the other side.

In addition, muscles on the dominant side tighten, resulting in lateral pelvis tilt. One hip hitches up whilst the other drops.

When one of your hips is higher than the other, all your movements become asymmetrical. The muscle imbalance will worsen with age if not corrected, leading to hip or lower back pain.

Scoliosis involves twisting or curving of the spine to the side.

It impacts individuals of all ages, from infants to adults, but typically initiates in children aged 10 to 15.

Scoliosis has the potential to improve with treatment, although it is generally not a symptom of a serious issue and mild cases may not require treatment.

Sway back posture, often termed 'lazy posture,' results in lower back and neck pain due to inadequate muscle engagement for proper spinal alignment.

Spot swayback posture by noting certain signs:

• Flat back
• Excessive curve of the thoracic spine (Kyphosis)
• Backwards tilt of the pelvis
• Hip flexor muscles are often overstretched
• Knees are hyperextended
• Overactive and tight hamstrings
• Head is shifted forward

Symptoms: General deep ache in the arch of your back and/or top of the buttocks. Either to one side, both sides or centrally. You will feel generally inflexible and stiff and it may take you a bit of time to get moving after you get up.

Reason misalignment is a factor: Misalignment means your spine shifts more to one side causing compression and stiffening of the facet joints in the spine, overtime this can cause irritation of arthritic conditions. The same is the case with your sacroiliac joint when it is held excessively tight for a long period of time.

Tight hip flexors cause an Anterior Pelvic Tilt, with weak hip flexors potentially leading to a Posterior Pelvic Tilt, a forward-shifted pelvis, and a Sway Back Posture.

Hip flexors lift your leg upwards. If the pelvis is not stabilised in time by abdominal muscles, glutes or hamstrings, they pull the entire pelvis forward, causing a pelvic misalignment.

If both sides are tight this causes an anterior pelvic tilt.

Your pelvis is the foundation to your spine, wherever the pelvis points the spine follows.

Misalignment can result in uneven weight distribution on the spine. This can wear down discs, resulting in bulging or herniation, potentially compressing a nerve.

Back pain may result from nerve irritation and radiate to your foot.