09/02/2025
Picture 1:
Here we have a case that I call the “shirt sign”. If we have patients who initially bridge with a pelvic tilt in the posterior direction we see this wrinkle in their shirts. IF this happens, there is a higher tendency to have hamstring cramps as well as increased lumbar stress(especially if there is hyper mobility present).
Picture 2:
These are the EXPERT bridgers!
I’m this case there is marked lumbar extension, almost as if the patient is leading with their belly button! In this case, we see increased stress at lumbar spine(especially if hyper mobile) as well as increased stretching or pulling at the thighs.
Picture 3 & 4:
Ahhhhh, yes! A wonderful bridge position and form. From shoulders to buttock we lift TOGETHER while pushing into the table with the arms. Verbalizing with the patient to think about pushing and using their buttock to lift is imperative.
Cues: draw stomach inward without moving low back, push into the table with hands(in order to initially stabilize) and think about squeezing buttock as you lift.
Goals:
To feel it in you stomach and buttock....THAT IS IT!
Don’t:
Feel it in your back, hamstring or thighs
Modifications:
If you feel it in thighs, do not go as high, you are not ready.
If you feel it in your back, pushing more with the arms can help, if that does not work, then you are not ready for bridging and need to dig deeper.
Hamstrings activate: you are tilting without even recognizing it and need to address better lumbar control prior to doing bridges.
Video:
I challenge YOU do try doing a “proper bridge” and get your BUTT in GEAR! 😁
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