Lab 3: Muscle Imbalances: Upper and Lower Crossed Syndromes

Question 1

Postural muscles with SD have what 3 features in pseudoparesis vs. what 3 features seen in movement muscles?

Answer 1

• Postural ms. = facilitation + shortening + hypertonicity
• Movement ms. = inhibition + stretched + hypotonicity

Question 2

List the 9 potentially hypertonic muscles of lower crossed syndrome.

Answer 2

• Iliopsoas
• Quadratus lumborum
• Tensor fascia lata
• Hamstrings
• Rectus Femoris
• Piriformis
• Adductors
• Gastrocnemius
• Soleus

Question 3

List the 5 potentially hypotonic muscles of lower crossed syndrome.

Answer 3

• Gluteals: maximus, medius, minimus
• Abdominals
• Vastus medialis
• Anterior tibialis
• Peroneals

Question 4

Inability to stand straight - knee/s flexed; L1-2 SD; pain referral to back and groin w/ a (+) thomas test is associated with spasticity of what muscle?

Answer 4

Iliopsoas

Question 5

Pain referral to groin and hip; exhalation 12th rib SD and diaphragm restriction are associated with spasticity of what muscle?

Answer 5

Quadratus lumborum

Question 6

Spasticity of which muscle is associated with pain referred to the inguinal ligament, inner thigh and knee?

Answer 6

Adductors

Question 7

Inhibition of which group of muscles may be associated with increased lordosis and constipation?

Answer 7

Rectus Abdominis

Question 8

Inhibition of which gluteal muscle is associted with pain when arising from a chair?

Answer 8

Gluteus Minimus

Question 9

List common diagnoses related to lower crossed syndrome.

Answer 9

• Chronic LBP
• Sacroiliac pain
• Osteoarthritis L-spine
• Spondylolisthesis
• Osteoarthritis hips and knees

Question 10

Which self-locking mechanism is characterized by the compression produced by body weight, muscle action, and ligament force?

Answer 10

Force closure

Question 11

Postural muscles may effect SI joint stability, with what as the “keystone?”

Answer 11

Sacrum

Question 12

Which finding of the shoulder and humerus are signs of upper crossed syndrome?

Answer 12

• Protraction of shoulders
• Internal rotation of humerus

Question 13

List the 8 common hypertonic muscles associated with upper crossed syndrome.

Answer 13

• Levator scapula
• Lats
• Pectorals
• Upper trapezius

- UE flexors

• SCM
• Scalenes
• Subscapularis

* L.L PUUSSS*

Question 14

List the 8 hypotonic/weak muscles associated with upper crossed syndrome?

Answer 14

• Deep neck flexors
• Deltoid
• UE Extensors

- Mid and Lower Trapezius

• Serratus Anterior
• Supraspinatus
• Infraspinatus
• Rhomboids

Question 15

Hypertonicity of which upper crossed syndrome postural muscle is associated with HA?

Answer 15

SCM

Question 16

For exercise Rx how many times should you perform the exercises on each side and how many times per day?

Answer 16

2-3x on each side; 2-3x a day

Question 17

For exercise Rx how long should each stretch be held for?

Answer 17

12 seconds or 3 deep breaths