Left AIC or Not? - Doctor of Physical Therapy Reveals New Postural Pattern - (4 Simple Exercises)

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The Left AIC Pattern is described by Postural Restoration to explain human postural and movement asymmetry.

They propose that everyone is in a left AIC pattern due to asymmetry of internal organs as well as neurological asymmetries. This pattern is described as being "stuck" in the right stance phase of gait. Overall, we have increased compression on the right, relative to the left.

People with a left AIC pattern will have a strong tendency towards standing on their right leg.

The pattern has a few key elements:

The left pelvis that comes forward in space, creating anterior pelvic tilt and lumbar lordosis on the left more than the right. This orients the pelvis to the left.

The trunk side bends or abducts to the right, bringing the right shoulder lower, and shifting weight onto the right leg. It then counter-rotates to the left through the mid trunk area, bringing the left shoulder up and rib cage back.

The head is relatively side bent to the left to maintain a relatively centered position with respect to a right side bent rib cage.

This all sounds really compelling. Wouldn't it be great if everyone shared the same pattern of movement?

Sure. But you know what they say... If it sounds too good to be true...?

In my experience, both personally, and clinically, I often see a very different pattern. And if you apply PRI techniques to try and address it, you'll likely just reinforce the asymmetry you have and you won't make any meaningful progress.

This pattern shares the compression on the right side and the expansion on the left side. However, the pattern that emerges is different.

The main elements are:

1. A right hip hike, with counter-rotation back to the left
2. A more posteriorly shifted left lumbar spine, and more anteriorly shifted right lumbar spine
3. A rib cage that is compressed anterior to posterior, with an overactive right diaphragm
4. A tendency to shift the center of gravity to the left, enhancing left heel contact

These individuals have trouble loading the right side and feeling their right heel.

While these individuals still benefit from left abdominal work characteristic of PRI, they also require right abdominal work.

They also won't be helped by left AF IR activities, at least not in the beginning.

They require right FA IR with a pelvis in neutral or even right AF IR activities first.

Don't know what this means or want to know more? Join Total Body Restoration, where I'll be talking about this and much more.