Chairs for people with pelvic rotation can really help not only to alleviate any pain or discomfort but also to correct the person’s positioning.
But what is pelvic rotation and how can specialist seating help it? Take a look.
What is pelvic rotation?
Pelvic rotation is a postural problem in which one side of the pelvis is further forward than the other. It’s important to note that this means that one hip is further forward, not necessarily higher or lower than the other (this is pelvic obliquity although the two conditions often go hand-in-hand).
In this diagram, the right ASIS is further forward than the left. This is called left pelvic rotation.
You can assess the position of a person’s pelvis by feeling for their ASIS (anterior superior iliac spine) points. These are the bonier bits at the front of the person’s hips, and once you have found both, you can judge their pelvic positioning.
If you find that the person’s left ASIS is further forward, this is referred to as right pelvic rotation. Conversely, if the person’s right ASIS is further forward, this is called left pelvic rotation.
How is pelvic rotation caused?
Pelvic rotation can be a sign of many things including asymmetrical leg length, hip flexion, or hip adduction. These can all cause the pelvis to twist to compensate for the positioning.
In terms of poor seating, pelvic rotation can also be caused by a lack of backrest support or an overly wide seat width. As you can imagine, sitting in a chair too wide can lead you to twist and rotate your pelvis to find a more supported position.
It’s important to combat pelvic rotation wherever possible because it can lead to more severe postural problems and back pain.
What to look for in chairs for people with pelvic rotation
It is possible to help rectify or alleviate pelvic rotation with specialist seating. Chairs for people with pelvic rotation will need to be well-sized to the client to give them the best possible outcome.
The seat width is one of the most crucial measurements in the chair because it helps to secure the person’s pelvis in a level, supported position. This, in turn, will prevent the pelvis from rotating any further and it could help get it back to a healthier position.
The Lento care chair has adjustable seat width so you can change the chair to match the person’s pelvic positioning if it changes over time.
For this reason, we would highly recommend a chair with built-in seat width adjustment like the Lento care chair. This means that you can change the chair to suit the person’s needs as they change over time.
Another thing to consider in chairs for people with pelvic rotation is having equal thigh support. This will help to keep the person’s hips level and prevent the rotation from extending any further.
If the client has leg length discrepancy, you may need to take a closer look at footrest options to ensure that they are getting equal support with either leg.
Summary
Pelvic rotation can be a particularly troublesome problem, but it can be combatted using good specialist seating. Check out our free Specialist Seating eBook for more information on other postural conditions!
