We Are ALL Asymmetrical - Why it Matters

 

Have you noticed a harder time with your front splits on one side? Or maybe it’s always been a struggle for you to get your turn-out on one side?

No matter how much you stretch and strengthen, you will not achieve symmetry without compensation (which leads to injury).  Here’s why …

Our bodies are NOT symmetrical! Take a look at these images of different systems in our bodies.  Notice how NONE of them are exactly the same on the left as the right.

Illustration from Anatomy & Physiology, Connexions Website.                    Photo credit – Khan Viqar blogspot.comhttp://cnx.org/content/col11496/1.6/, Jun 19, 2013.

 

The diaphragm inserts, on average, 1 full spinal segment lower on the Right (L3) than on the left (L2).  The Diaphragm - Actions - Innervation - TeachMeAnatomy The difference in the diaphragm dome height and attachment sites make every human better at inhaling into our left lungs and better at emptying our right lungs.

 

These underlying asymmetries that all humans have (unless organs are completely reversed – EXTREMELY rare), make us heavier on the right mid-section of our bodies.  The heart is not heavy enough to equal it out AND it’s located higher.  In fact, the Right side of our body organs are 2x heavier than the Left! How Much Do Your Organs Weigh? (verywellhealth.com)

 

As a result, every human has:

🔹 Center of Mass shifted to the Right
🔹 Easier time Turning Lumbar Spine to RIGHT
🔹 Easier time Turning Upper Spine to LEFT
🔹 More Restricted RIGHT Groin, Hip Internal Rotators, Abdominals, Intercostals, Quadratus Lumborum, Neck Muscles

🔹 More Restricted LEFT Hip External Rotators, Hip Abductors (TFL, Glute Med) Latissimus, Pectoralis Major, Back Extensors

 

BUT, if we understand and respect this underlying asymmetry, we can make it affect us much less! Here’s what I mean…

 1)  Do some “corrective exercises” daily AND before stretching or dancing. (This means activating the muscles that help us bring center of mass to left… Hamstrings, Groin, Obliques while breathing into the spaces that tend to be limited … Right Side and Upper Chest/Back; Left lower Back) Here are 2 of my favorite activities for this: 

           https://youtu.be/aTkmKamMXeQ

https://youtu.be/6iUQwvfQhh0

2) Consider strengthening the body differently on the right and left sides (Do more reps of Hamstring, Groin, and Ab work on LEFT… more Triceps, Traps and Lateral Glute work on RIGHT)

3) Avoid succumbing the asymmetry when sitting, sleeping, etc. (Sit & sleep in a way that keeps your Right ribs more open… pillow under ribs when sleep on Left, prop Right shoulder on the table or arm of couch)

4) Change things up routinely (Sit on other side of couch/class, look out and to the left vs right, stand on other leg, put purse on other shoulder, put phone in other hand or pocket… you get the idea) 

Interested in learning how YOUR body is affected by human asymmetry?  A good, thorough Postural Restoration™ Assessment will help you understand exactly that... and how to go about out-smarting it. 

Set up a FREE Discovery Call to chat about the process. Schedule Call Here

"Take Your Musculoskeletal Health into Your Own Hands" 

💗, Kristen