CEU Article – Multi-joint Muscle Action on the Pelvis

During seating and mobility evaluations it is best practice to begin analyzing flexibility, movement, and posture of the pelvis when planning seating and positioning interventions. Therefore a thorough understanding of multi-joint muscles is essential, in relation to the pelvis as a foundation for seating. The lumbar spine and lower extremities are connected by multi-joint muscle groups with the pelvis caught in the middle, often resulting in a complex chain of movements. Understanding these multi-joint movement patterns of the pelvis is key to successful, functional seating and positioning outcomes. We will show how they work, and describe how seating accommodations and 24-hour posture care management can mitigate and improve problems caused by multi-joint muscle dysfunction around the pelvis. This article co-authored by Tamara Kittelson-Aldred, MS, OTR/L, ATP/SMS and T. Sammie Wakefield, OTR (ATP retired) focuses on