Vidcast Wednesdays: Why Someone Else Should Examine You

Just look at that amazing hinge!

I recently experienced insanity. It turns out I was doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different result.

I have tried many different things to improve the mobility of my right hip. Everything from psoas release, QL release, repeated hip flexion, IR, extension, repeated stretching with diaphragmatic breathing, SGIS to the right. Most held temporarily, but I always felt so "tight."

DP MSE, limited hip extension in right hip

Last week we were reviewing the SFMA with our current batch of newbs in the clinic and my MSE as usual was DP, easier with right LE forward, DN, with min loss, with left LE forward, was DP, major loss. When we got to the breakouts and my business partner actively and passively tested my right hip in extension, I was shocked to both feel and see my hip have EXCESSIVE extension, especially when measured passively. I kept asking if I was hinging at my lumbar spine. I wasn't.

DN, left hip extension, still hinging at lumbar spine
Lola says, "Fail!"

When performing the MSE test again, I took a large diaphragmatic breath, blew out through pursed lips to make sure the 4 core kicked in. Instead of feeling my usual "very tight" hip flexors, there was minimal tightness, and I was DN, with only mild loss. I now repeat this several times throughout the day, also wrapping my proximal thigh with an EDGE Mobility Band. Seems to lock in the extension "loss."

PPFffffffffff!!!!! Wife says, "What the heck are you doing?"
Blow out and move!

I am actually performing the MSE breakout with both UEs overhead when I am doing the deep breath with pursed lips (really challenges the diaphragm)

edit: Just found today marks my 700th post in almost 2 years (blogiversary is in 5-6 weeks or so!) Please continue to pin, share and tweet my posts and have me hit my goal of 1,000,000 views before mid July 2013!