This document discusses hip shifts and rotations, common causes and assessments, and exercise corrections. It notes that right shifts and rotations are most common due to natural asymmetry. Assessments include hip rotation, adduction drop, and Thomas tests as well as functional muscle testing. Corrections focus on releasing tight muscles, activating weak muscles, and addressing neurological and breathing factors. Example programs target unilateral strength imbalances and asymmetrical muscle imbalances. Intervention is recommended if shifts may lead to injury or hinder performance.

1. Hip Shifts and Rotations: Causes,
Assessments and Corrections
Nick Rosencutter
CSCS, NSCA-CPT, LMT

2. About Me
 Owner Rosencutter Ultra Fitness & Performance LLC
 Physical preparation coach, manual therapist, writer,
powerlifter, martial artist
 Degree in Exercise & Sports Science/Strength & Conditioning
from UW-La Crosse
 Diploma of Massage Therapy from Lakeside
 Full Body Active Release Techniques (ART) Provider
 Head of Strength & Conditioning at Greendale High School
 Consultant for ASE Speed Skating
 Corporate ART Provider
 Contributor to various continuing education products

3. Influences on this presentation
 Postural Restoration Institute (PRI)
 Selective Functional Movement Assessment
(SFMA)
 Neurokinetic Therapy (NKT)
 Active Release Techniques (ART)
 Multiple sources and in the trenches
experiences

4. Goals for Today
*Identify common patterns to look for in clients
and potential causes/reasons behind them
*Learn key assessments to determine the
appropriate plan of action
*Learn exercises to help improve/control the
imbalanced pattern that is found

5. Shifts and Rotations
 What are they?
 Witness during movement and/or resting posture
− For today, we will observe
squatting/deadlifting and standing postures
 Different athletic activities, daily activities, etc. will
produce various compensations
 “Although these three motions of the pelvis may occur individually, they are most dynamically depicted
during gait, when they should occur in a magnificently coordinated manner that results in a fluid pattern of
movement, not only of the pelvis but also involving many of the joints that lie above and below the pelvis.
Interruption of this vibrant kinetic cycle can be produced by a number of dysfunctional
patterns, including tight or weak hip musculature, inappropriate firing sequences of
muscles, joint dysfunction or pathology as well as dysfunctions within other regions of
the body, particularly the foot.” (Clinical Application of Neuromuscular Techniques,
Vol 2, P. 397)

6. Common Observations
 Right shift and right rotation (pelvic) are most common
− Why?
− Effects on or from the chain above and below?
− When should we intervene?
 “The human body is not symmetrical. The neurological, respiratory,
circulatory, muscular and vision systems are not the same on the left side
of the body as they are on the right, and vice versa. They have different
responsibilities, function, position and demands on them. This system
asymmetry is a good thing and an amazing design. The human body is
balanced through the integration of system imbalances.”
− Ron Hruska, Myokinematic Restoration

7. Potential Causes?
 Natural asymmetrical design of our body predisposes us to like going right
 Neurological patterning issue
 Asymmetrical muscle weakness/imbalance
− Muscle length
− Reciprocal inhibition
− Trigger Points
− Injury
 Asymmetrical muscle stiffness or shortness (viscoelastic/connective tissue
change)
 Neuroreflexive factor (Sympathetic fight or flight response)
 Technique problem
 Others?

8. All Comes Back to the Nervous
System
 “The neurological approach to muscle imbalance recognizes
that muscles are predisposed to become imbalanced because
of their role in motor function. The neural control unit may
alter the muscle recruitment strategy to stabilize joints
temporarily in dysfunction. This change in recruitment alters
muscle balance, movement patterns, and ultimately the motor
program.”
− (Assessment and Treatment of Muscle Imbalance,
P. 8)

9. The Pull of the Diaphragm

10. Pull of the Diaphragm
 “The respiratory system is an asymmetrical system with
asymmetrical form and asymmetrical function. Development
of our asymmetrical systems, including the respiratory system,
is well documented. Besides the obvious impact on
respiratory function, the diaphragm muscle is uniquely
positioned to directly influence every aspect of your postural
skeletal and muscular core, and influences the position and
function of all other body systems.”
− (PRI Integration for Fitness and Movement, P.1)

11. Muscle Imbalance Approaches(Assessment and Treatment of Muscle Imbalance- The Janda Approach, P. 10)

12. Different Compensations

13. Assessments
 Hip Rotation
 Adduction Drop Test/Obers Test
 Thomas Test
 Breathing Mechanics
*Diaphragm plays a HUGE role
 Hip and Trunk Functional Muscle Testing
− Glute max, Glute med, Adductors, Obliques
are some big players to look at

14. Corrections
 For unilateral strength imbalance
− Focus on single leg and offset exercises for 2 to 3 programs
 For neurological patterning or technique issue
− Cue them to find proper position/movement
− Fix Set up
− Physical cuing examples
 For asymmetrical muscle imbalance
− Release overactive or stiff muscle
− Activate and/or strengthen weak or inactive muscle
− Common example: Release right adductors and left post glute
med/deep rotators
− Activate/strengthen right glute max, right post glute med, left
adductors

15. Corrections
 Fix breathing mechanics and everything else
will fall into place much easier
 Diaphragm influence
*Thorax and rib motion helps drive pelvic/hip
motion and vice versa
*If right ribs are stuck in IR, then rib rotation will
not occur optimally with movement, which
will cause hips to compensate

16. Example Program for a Right Shift
Client
 Warmup: Release/foam roll right adductors, left deep rotators,
90/90 breathing w/ left shift and right reach (reposition pelvis
and get diaphragm on board), Left sidelying pullback clam
(activate left adductors and right glute with proper pelvic
position), Right adductor mobe, Thoracic Rotation w/ left
groiner hold
 Offset split squat or reverse lunge 3x8-10
 One leg rdl 3x8-10
 Split Stance landmine press 3x8-10
 Split stance cable row 3x8-10
 Offset carry 2x40yds
 Pullback clam w/ breath 2x4 breaths

17. Progress to
 Bilateral squat and deadlift variations
− Use band or hands to provide external cuing
if needed
− CNS needs to learn how to squat w/ newly
available movement and muscle activation
− More rotational/transverse plane
progressions

18. So When Should You Jump In?
 It depends
 Are they in pain?
 Does the pattern help them with performance?
 Does their shift/rotation seem like it will lead to
injury?
 Do enough to keep them healthy. Don't hurt
performance

19. Hands On Notes

20. Sources
 Chaitow, Leon, and Judith DeLany. Clinical Application of Neuromuscular
Techniques. Vol. 2. Edinburgh: Churchill Livingstone, 2011. Print.
 Hruska, Ron. Myokinematic Restoration
 Page, Phillip, Clare C. Frank, and Robert Lardner. Assessment and
Treatment of Muscle Imbalance: The Janda Approach. Champaign, IL:
Human Kinetics, 2010. Print.
 Sahrmann, Shirley. Diagnosis and Treatment of Movement Impairment
Syndromes. St. Louis: Mosby, 2002. Print.

21. Contact
nick@rosencutterultrafitness.com
Www.rosencutterultrafitness.com
Www.nickrosencutter.com