By Jen Fleming
I talked previously about the bony structure of the pelvis. Today I am going to talk about the ligamentous structure of the pelvis and how it helps support the articular relationships between the lumbar vertebrae, the 3 bones of the pelvis and the femurs.
Because the pelvis holds a lot of weight, and is responsible for distributing forces from the ground up and the head down, the Sacroiliac Joints - SIJs – don’t want to be too mobile. They need just enough movement to ensure the forces can actually move through the pelvis without getting hitched up anywhere. Therefore there are a lot of really big, thick and strong ligaments to support this terribly important balancing bowl.
The posterior of the pelvis is supported mostly by the interosseous sacroiliac ligaments. This large web of soft tissue connects the large ilia/hip bones to the sacrum and supports the pelvis from the back, preventing too much forward movements of the bones. It also supports the connection between the coccyx and the sacrum.
On the anterior aspect we have the anterior interosseous ligaments attaching to the same structures. These ligaments prevent backward movements of the pelvis.
Above the ligaments is the iliolumbar ligament which holds the L5 vertebra against the base of the sacrum. It checks rotational movements of the L5 on the sacrum ensuring that it remains in a proper alignment with the sacrum.
The Sacrotuberous Ligament is a very special ligament because it acts like a keystone to the whole web of soft tissue of the pelvis. Something to keep in mind about ligaments, in the pictures they look very separate but in the real body they all blend together. There is a fine layer of connective tissue that covers the bones called periosteum. It is this periosteum that the ligaments and tendons blend into.
So the Sacrotuberous ligament blends into the periosteum of the ishcial tuberosities (sit bones) and the sacrum. This then gives rise to the Sacroilliac Ligaments and the Ilio-Lumbar Ligaments. The tendons of the hamstrings, deep gluteal muscles, pelvic floor muscles and the muscles of the lumbar spine all blend together. By working directly with this segment of the pelvic web one can create change, or initiate the opportunity for change, throughout the connecting structures.
As a functional unit, these ligaments are a fine web. By altering one area of this web, much like a shifting layer of fabric, the entire unit is primed for change. Most don’t realize the power this area of the body holds and the amount of responsibility it carries. Literally it is the base of our structure and, just by becoming familiar with the interconnected nature of the immediate area, we can begin to see how it supports and affects the whole physical being.
Indeed the whole body is one giant web woven into a tapestry of wonder. Pretty darn cool, right?
Jen Fleming RMT
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