Limited Seated Hamstring Test
Here is a series of videos I took from a toe touch examination I went over in the clinic recently.
(The image will scroll right if you click the right side of the video)
From the first image you can see how limited the toe touch is from the seated position. The biggest limiting factor you can see from this image is the inability to flex forward or lean the torso forward.
- His standing toe touch was full and to his feet (flat lumbar spine appearance, with majority from thoracic)
- His passive straight leg raise was ~70 degrees bilateral with some neural tension experienced on the L from a previous disc injury.
- Seated toe touch was obviously limited
- Narrow infrasternal angle, mild - moderate prominence anterior of lower rib cage
First line of thinking is why can he touch toes in standing and not seated. He displays enough range of motion in the hamstrings to accomplish the task. Gravity will assist more in standing then it will in the seated position.
My treatment thought process was to reduce some extensor tone to allow for the lumbar spine to move forward with less restriction.
(Swipe right on the image above to see the two exercises, plus changes which occurred immediately after them)
Emphasis was placed heavily on adductor squeeze and long slow inhale (4 seconds) with bucket handle to pump handle emphasis. Then longer slow full exhale (5 seconds with a 1 second pause at end).
Both positions were used to emphasis spinal flexion with glute and hamstring contraction for posterior pelvic tilt. Then the all 4s position on elbow to passively put into mild amount of flexion.
Do I expect these changes to last???
No!
Do I expect my biceps to grow bigger with one set of curls???
No!
Repetition is needed!