Timeline to Fix Anterior Pelvic Tilt & Exercises That Help

The pelvis serves many important functions. It assists with lower body movement, supports abdominal organs, and plays a critical role in pregnancy and childbirth. The typical pelvic position when standing is a slight forward tilt. Yet, some people have an even greater tilt, called an anterior pelvic tilt.

What Is Anterior Pelvic Tilt?

The normal pelvic position is referred to as a neutral pelvis. In this position, the pelvis is tilted forward at roughly a 6- or 7-degree angle. If the forward tilt is greater than this, you are considered to have an anterior pelvic tilt.

One study of 120 people in their early to mid-20s found that as many as 85% of the males and 75% of the females had anterior tilt. Only 9% of males and 18% of females had a neutral pelvis. This highlights how common anterior pelvic tilt is in the population as a whole.

Anterior Tilt Causes

In some cases, a forward pelvic tilt is caused by a tight muscle. For example, a tight hip flexor may be to blame. What causes the hip flexor to tighten up? Sitting for long periods.

The term ‘hip flexor’ refers to the iliacus, iliopsoas, and rectus femoris muscles. This muscle group connects the pelvis and lumbar spine to the thigh. A tight hip flexor creates more pull on the pelvic area. This can cause it to tilt forward more than usual.

Weak gluteus muscles can further contribute to this cause of anterior pelvic tilt. This is because weak glutes don’t have the strength to fight against a tight hip flexor. In this battle, the hip flexor often wins the internal tug-of-war. And the pelvis loses out.

In addition to hip flexor tightening, anterior pelvic tilt can also result from weak stomach muscles. Abdominal muscles help support a healthy pelvic tilt. If they are not strong enough to keep the pelvis in this alignment, it could easily tilt forward.

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Consequences of a Tilted Pelvis

Poor posture is one of the most apparent consequences of a pelvis tilted too far forward. This is sometimes called lumbar lordosis or swayback. With lumbar lordosis, the pelvis tilts forward, causing the buttocks to stick out. (If you have a lot of space between your lower back and the floor when lying down, you may have lumbar lordosis.) This can lead to pain.

Research explains that, with excessive anterior pelvic tilt, the sacral plateau—the point where the trunk’s weight is transferred to the pelvis—becomes more horizontal. In this position, the hip joint “almost completely covers” the posterior head of the femur. When this occurs, hip extension is limited.

Anterior pelvic tilt can also place more stress on the lumbar spine. The lumbar spine is more commonly referred to as the lower back. It consists of the five vertebrae between the bottom of the ribs and the pelvis. Increased stress on this area can lead to low-back pain.

Anterior Pelvic Tilt vs Posterior Pelvic Tilt

Pelvic tilt doesn’t always consist of the pelvis tilting forward. Sometimes it tilts more toward the back. This is referred to as posterior pelvic tilt. Just as anterior pelvic tilt compromises the spine and changes body weight distribution, so does a posterior pelvic tilt.

Tight hamstrings sometimes cause a backward pelvic tilt. Another potential cause is reduced muscle strength in the legs, which provides inadequate support for the pelvis. This position can lead to pain in the lower back. It can also result in movement limitations.

It should be noted that people can also have a lateral pelvic tilt. This is when one side of the pelvis sits higher than the other. This can lead to a muscle imbalance.

How Exercise Helps Fix Anterior Pelvic Tilt

Since many of the causes of anterior pelvic tilt are tight or weak muscles, exercise can often help. If the pelvic tilt is due to a tight flexor muscle, for instance, doing stretches that target this area can help it relax. When the hip flexor is relaxed, it doesn’t place so much pull on the pelvis. Strengthening the glute muscles also helps combat this pull. This allows for a healthier posture.

Because abdominal muscle helps support a proper pelvic tilt, focusing on the midsection when strength training can also assist. The stronger the muscle in this area, the more support it can provide to the pelvic region.

Anterior Pelvic Tilt Exercise Options

There are a variety of exercises that can help correct anterior pelvic tilt. Some work by strengthening the muscles that provide the pelvis support. Others strive to stretch tight muscle, enabling the pelvis to return to a healthier position.

Exercises to Boost Pelvic Support by Increasing Strength

Build the muscle that supports the pelvis, and it will be less prone to a forward tilt. These exercises target two of the most important muscle groups for the pelvic area: the glutes and the abs.

Glute bridge with a resistance band. A 2014 study found that doing a glute bridge with isometric hip abduction and using a resistance band helped significantly reduce anterior pelvic tilt. This exercise involves lying on the back with knees bent. A resistance band is placed around the bottom of the thighs, just above the knees. Lift the hips toward the ceiling until the body is straight from the shoulder to the knees. Lower the hips back down and repeat.

Hip thrust. This pelvic tilt exercise also works the glutes while working the core at the same time. To do it, sit on the floor with your upper back against a bench. Place a barbell, with or without weights, in the crease of the hip. (A kettlebell or barbell can be used if you don’t have access to a barbell.) Engage the muscle in the glutes and core to lift the hips toward the ceiling. Don’t stop until the body is parallel to the floor. Return to the starting position.

Plank. The plank is excellent for improving all of the muscles in the abdominal and hip regions. Beginners can plank by resting on their forearms for 5-10 seconds, increasing their time as they get stronger. More advanced exercisers may choose to plank with their arms fully extended. Make this move even more intense by planking on the side with one leg extended in the air.

Tail tuck. This exercise works by strengthening the muscles that can counteract a forward pelvic tilt. Imagine that you have a tail and try to tuck it between your legs. Hold this tuck position for a couple of seconds and then release.

Exercises to Decrease Pelvic Pull by Reducing Tightness

If your anterior pelvic tilt is caused by tight hip flexors, getting them to elongate and release gives the body the ability to assume a more neutral pelvic posture. Here are a few stretches that target the hip flexor group.

Knee-to-chest stretch. Lie on your back with your legs fully extended. Bend your right leg and pull your knee to your chest. Hold for 12-15 seconds, then release. Repeat with the left leg.

Figure four stretch. This is similar to the knee-to-chest stretch. However, when pulling your right knee back, your left leg is bent so the left ankle rests just above the right knee. This helps release tight hips and hamstrings. Do it on both sides.

Lunging hip stretch. Kneel on your right knee and lean your upper body forward so you are in a lunge position. You should feel a stretch in the front of the hip. Switch sides and do it again.

How Long to Fix Anterior Pelvic Tilt?

Some studies have found that anterior pelvic tilt can be improved in just six weeks. Though, it’s essential to recognize that everyone is different.

While some people may start to correct anterior pelvic tilt within a few weeks, others might require more time. If your pelvis has been tilted forward for quite some time, for example, it may take a bit longer to fix. However, as long as you stick with exercises such as those above, you will begin to make progress.

Learn more about how to correct structural dysfunctions by earning your Corrective Exercise certification. This ISSA course teaches you how to help clients improve their alignment and correct movement restrictions.

References

Herrington, L. (2011). Assessment of the degree of pelvic tilt within a normal asymptomatic population. Manual Therapy, 16(6), 646-648. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.math.2011.04.006

Le Huec, J. C., Aunoble, S., Philippe, L., & Nicolas, P. (2011). Pelvic parameters: origin and significance. European spine journal: official publication of the European Spine Society, the European Spinal Deformity Society, and the European Section of the Cervical Spine Research Society, 20 Suppl 5(Suppl 5), 564–571. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00586-011-1940-1

Choi, S., Cynn, H., Yi, C., Kwon, O., Yoon, T., Choi, W., & Lee, J. (2015). Isometric hip abduction using a Thera-Band alters gluteus maximus muscle activity and the anterior pelvic tilt angle during bridging exercise. Journal Of Electromyography And Kinesiology, 25(2), 310-315. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jelekin.2014.09.005

Mendiguchia, J., Gonzalez De la Flor, A., Mendez-Villanueva, A., Morin, J., Edouard, P., & Garrues, M. (2020). Training-induced changes in anterior pelvic tilt: potential implications for hamstring strain injuries management. Journal Of Sports Sciences, 39(7), 760-767. https://doi.org/10.1080/02640414.2020.1845439