Hip flexion compensation patterns in spinal cord injury rehab & recovery

HIP FLEXION ✔️ TAKING STEPS🚶🏽: the elusive holy grail of rehab? Maybe. At the very least, it’s a movement everyone wants, so it’s worth looking at closely.
With neurologically weak hip flexors in SCI athletes, compensation patterns are common - like lumbar flexion, neck extension, wiggling around until something happens. It’s tempting to think that whatever brings the knee forward is functional.
These compensation patterns call on stretch-reflexes through manipulation of the spine and pelvis position, rather than a clean fold in the hip joint. They actually train you actively AVOID using your hip flexor... and if that something you want to strengthen, then you need to put yourself in position which forces you to USE it.
Overcome these compensations when practicing hip flexion in seated, supine, kneeling, etc., by stabilizing other areas: emphasize lumbar back extension and/or opposite-hip glute engagement. This ensures that the hip flexion movement is actually coming from the HIP and not some passive pull on the hip flexors from elsewhere. Keep in mind that this focus can be frustrating because it doesn't feel like anything is happening (don't discount what the REST of the body is doing!) but quality and precision will yield more lasting and satisfying results long term.
For more information on our human-powered healing approach to spinal cord injury rehab & recovery, visit zebrafishneuro.com

[@superfishially]

……I wish I watched this video 42 years ago!