Category: OSA

What This Finding Means

When your report notes “Low Back Rounds,” it is describing how your lumbar spine (low back) moves during the overhead squat.

Instead of maintaining a more neutral, supported position, your low back gently rounds or flexes as you squat. You might notice this in your video as a subtle “tuck” under at the bottom of the movement, sometimes called a posterior pelvic tilt (pelvis tipping backward).

This is simply how your body is currently organizing movement. The Overhead Squat Assessment is a movement screen, not a workout and not a diagnosis. It gives us valuable, neutral information about your patterns so we can support you more effectively.

What We Often See Behind This Pattern

When the low back rounds, it often reflects a coordination strategy between the hips, core, and surrounding musculature.

From a clinical perspective, we may see patterns such as:

• Overactive hip flexors (front of your hips), which can influence how your pelvis moves during deeper squat positions
• Overactive abdominal complex (front core muscles), especially when they dominate without balanced support from the back side
• Underactive gluteus maximus (main hip extensor or your primary glute muscle), which helps control hip depth and pelvic position
• Underactive erector spinae (spinal support muscles along your back), which assist in maintaining an upright, stable spine

In everyday language, this often means your body is choosing a strategy where the front of your body is doing more of the work, while the back side is contributing a bit less during that movement.

That is not a flaw. It is simply a pattern we can work with.

Why This May Matter in Daily Life

Your low back plays a key role in how you transfer force, absorb load, and move efficiently through everyday activities.

A rounding pattern can show up in situations like:

• Sitting down and standing up
• Picking objects up from the floor
• Lifting in the gym
• Prolonged sitting or slouched positions

Over time, this pattern may influence how load is distributed through your spine and hips. Some people notice fatigue, tightness, or sensitivity in the low back, especially when movements are repeated under stress or speed.

This is not something to fear. It is simply helpful awareness.

When we understand your movement strategy, we can guide your body toward more balanced support, improved efficiency, and better resilience in both daily life and training.

How We Use This Information

At Florida Bodywork, we use findings like “Low Back Rounds” to guide your care in a very intentional way.

This includes:

• Orthopedic Bodywork to support tissue quality, mobility, and neuromuscular awareness
• Orthopedic Fitness and exercise programming to build strength, control, and coordination
• Collaboration with other professionals when appropriate, especially if you are experiencing symptoms

Your results help us meet your body where it is, rather than forcing it into a one-size-fits-all approach.

Supportive Directions That Often Help

There is no one-size solution, and we always tailor recommendations to you. That said, many people with this pattern benefit from a few general directions:

• Gentle mobility work for the hips (especially the front of the hips), helping the pelvis move more freely during deeper squat positions
• Glute activation and strengthening (back of your hips), supporting better control as you lower and rise
• Controlled core and spinal stability work, focusing on balance between the front and back of the body rather than over-bracing

These are not meant to be rigid prescriptions. They are simply supportive directions that often create positive changes when applied thoughtfully.

As always, we stay within a pain-free or comfortable range and listen to your body’s signals. Pushing through pain is never the goal. Progress comes from consistency, awareness, and appropriate challenge.

A Quick Note on Possible Injuries

Your report may include a “Possible Injuries” section related to this finding.

This is not a diagnosis. It is simply a way to highlight patterns that can sometimes be associated with certain conditions when symptoms are present.

If you are experiencing pain, discomfort, or concern, we encourage you to discuss your results with a primary care provider or other qualified medical professional.

For a deeper explanation, visit Understanding Possible Injuries.

How to Talk With Your Provider

If you choose to bring your results to a provider, you do not need to overcomplicate the conversation.

You might say:

• “My movement assessment showed that my low back rounds during a squat. Can we look at how that relates to what I’m feeling?”
• “I’ve noticed some tightness and this pattern came up. Do you think they’re connected?”
• “Here’s my report. I’d love your perspective on whether anything here needs further evaluation.”

This keeps the conversation clear, collaborative, and focused on your experience.

Your Next Steps

“Low Back Rounds” is one piece of your overall movement picture. On its own, it does not define your body or your capabilities.

From here, you can continue exploring your results to build a more complete understanding:

• Angles and Alignment to see how your body positions itself globally
• Findings to understand how different patterns connect
• Overactive Muscles and Underactive Muscles to learn what may be influencing your movement
• Possible Injuries for context if you are experiencing symptoms
• Your specific Finding Library posts for deeper insight into each pattern

We use all of this together to create a plan that supports how you move, train, and live.

Your body is always communicating. This assessment simply helps us listen more clearly and respond with intention.

What this means in your assessment

When your report notes Heel Raises, it means your heels lift off the ground earlier or more noticeably than expected during the squat.

In your movement, this often looks like your weight shifting forward onto the balls of your feet as you lower down. You may feel more pressure in your toes or notice that maintaining balance feels slightly more effortful.

This is simply your body’s current strategy for completing the movement. The Overhead Squat Assessment is a movement screen, not a diagnosis, and not a test you pass or fail. It gives us useful insight into how your system is organizing movement right now, so we can support it more effectively.

What your body may be telling us

Heel elevation during a squat often reflects how the ankle, foot, and lower leg are working together, along with how the hips and core are contributing to stability.

From a clinical perspective, we often look at patterns like:

• Overactive muscles, such as the gastrocnemius and soleus (calf muscles) and sometimes the hip flexor complex (front of your hips), which may be working a bit harder or staying more engaged than needed
• Underactive muscles, such as the anterior tibialis (front of your shin) and gluteus maximus (main hip extensor), which may not be contributing as efficiently to control and stability

This does not mean anything is “wrong.” It simply reflects a pattern your body has learned, often based on daily habits, training history, footwear, or past experiences.

We use this information at Florida Bodywork to guide both Orthopedic Bodywork sessions and Orthopedic Fitness programming, so your system can find more efficient and comfortable movement options over time.

Why this pattern can matter

Your ankles play a key role in how force moves through your entire body. When the heels lift early, it can shift load forward and change how your knees, hips, and even your low back participate in movement.

You might notice this pattern showing up in:

• Squatting, lunging, or lifting mechanics
• Walking or running efficiency
• Balance during dynamic movements
• Activities that require deceleration or control, like sports or quick direction changes

Over time, improving how your body distributes pressure through the feet can support smoother, more stable movement across many areas of life.

That said, your body is always adapting intelligently. Heel raises are not inherently “bad.” They are simply a signal that we can use to refine how your system shares the workload.

Supportive directions that often help

We keep this process simple, supportive, and responsive to your body. Rather than forcing change, we guide it.

Many people with this pattern benefit from:

• Gentle ankle mobility work, especially into dorsiflexion (bringing your shin forward over your foot), to support smoother movement through the ankle joint
• Foot awareness and grounding work, helping you feel even pressure through the heel, midfoot, and forefoot during standing and movement
• Strength and coordination work for the anterior lower leg and hips, supporting better control as you lower into and rise out of positions

Your program is always individualized. We consider your goals, your training background, and how your body responds. Nothing is forced, and we never push through pain. Your body’s signals are valuable feedback, and we respect them.

How we use this at Florida Bodywork

This finding helps us fine-tune your care.

In Orthopedic Bodywork sessions, we may support:

• Tissue quality and mobility in the calf complex (back of your lower leg)
• Joint mechanics at the ankle and foot
• Integration of the lower chain with the hips and core

In Orthopedic Fitness, we use your results to build programming that improves control, balance, and efficiency without overwhelming your system.

If you are also working with other professionals, your assessment can be a helpful communication tool. We are always happy to collaborate so your care feels consistent and aligned.

Talking with your provider

If you are working with a primary care provider, physical therapist, or another qualified professional, your report can help guide a more focused conversation.

You might say:

• “My movement screen showed heel lift during squats. I’d like to understand how my ankle mobility and calf tension might be contributing.”
• “I’ve been noticing forward weight shift in movement. Can we look at how my lower leg and foot mechanics are working together?”
• “Here’s my assessment. Can we review anything that stands out alongside how I’ve been feeling?”

This helps connect what you’re experiencing with objective movement observations, making your care more collaborative and precise.

Possible Injuries

This section is not a diagnosis. It simply highlights patterns that can sometimes be associated with certain conditions when symptoms are present.

If you are experiencing pain, stiffness, or discomfort, it is always appropriate to consult with a qualified medical professional and share your assessment results with them.

For a deeper explanation, visit
Understanding Possible Injuries: https://www.floridabodywork.com/2025/06/11/understanding-possible-injuries-in-your-overhead-squat-assessment/

What to do next

Your Heel Raises finding is one piece of a larger picture. To fully understand your movement, we recommend exploring the other sections of your report:

• Angles and Alignment
• Full Findings Overview
• Overactive Muscles
• Underactive Muscles
• Possible Injuries
• Your specific Finding Library posts

Together, these give us a complete view of how your body is organizing movement and how we can support it.

If you are ready, we can use this information to build a personalized plan through Orthopedic Bodywork and Orthopedic Fitness that helps you move with more ease, stability, and confidence.

If your Overhead Squat Assessment shows that your right knee moves outward, you are looking at a very useful piece of information about how your body organizes movement right now. This is not a problem label or a diagnosis. It is simply a snapshot that helps us understand your current strategy so we can support you more effectively.

At Florida Bodywork, we use findings like this to guide Orthopedic Bodywork, Orthopedic Fitness, and personalized exercise programming. It also helps us collaborate with other professionals when needed, so your care stays coordinated and intentional.

What This Looks Like

In your report, “right knee moves outward” means that as you descend into your squat, your right knee tracks away from the midline of your body. Instead of staying more centered over your foot, it drifts laterally.

In your movement, this can look like:

• Your right knee pushing out more than your left
• Your weight shifting toward the outer edge of your right foot
• A subtle rotation through your right leg or hip as you lower down

This is not something you did wrong. It is simply how your body is currently distributing load and creating stability during the movement.

What This May Suggest About Muscle Activity

This finding often reflects a relationship between muscles that are working a bit more and muscles that may not be contributing as much as we would like yet.

On the “more active” side, we often see involvement from:

• Lateral hip rotators (deep muscles that turn your hip outward)
• Tensor fasciae latae or TFL (front outer hip)
• Biceps femoris short head (outer portion of the hamstrings)
• Vastus lateralis (outer part of the quadriceps)

On the “less active” or less engaged side, we may see:

• Adductor group (inner thigh muscles that help guide the knee inward and stabilize)
• Medial hamstrings (inner hamstrings that support balanced knee motion)
• Gluteus medius and minimus in a stabilizing role (side hip muscles that help control position, not just push outward)

In everyday language, your body may be relying more on the outer hip and thigh, while the inner thigh and certain stabilizers are not being invited to participate as much as they could.

Why This Pattern Matters

Your knee is designed to move with support from both the hip above and the foot below. When the knee consistently moves outward, it can shift how forces travel through your leg.

In daily life, this may show up during:

• Walking or running, especially during push-off
• Climbing stairs or hills
• Lifting, bending, or athletic movements that require control and symmetry

This does not mean something is wrong. It simply means your body has chosen a strategy that may be more efficient in some areas and less supported in others. With the right guidance, we can help you build more options and better balance.

You may also notice that one side feels different than the other. That awareness is valuable. It gives us a clear starting point for improving coordination and control.

Supportive Directions That Often Help

We do not treat this finding with one-size-fits-all exercises. Instead, we use it to guide a personalized approach. That said, many people with this pattern benefit from a few general directions.

• Gentle mobility work for the outer hip and lateral thigh, helping reduce excess tension in areas like the TFL and outer quadriceps
• Activation and awareness of the inner thigh muscles, such as light adductor engagement drills that encourage the knee to track more centrally
• Controlled squat variations that focus on even weight distribution through the foot and smooth, aligned knee tracking

These are not meant to be done aggressively or through discomfort. Your body responds best when it feels safe and supported. If something creates pain, that is your signal to pause and adjust.

During your sessions, we combine hands-on Orthopedic Bodywork with targeted movement to help your system learn a more balanced pattern. Over time, this often leads to smoother, more efficient movement that feels better in your body.

A Note on Pain and Awareness

If you noticed this pattern but do not have pain, that is completely okay. The goal is not to chase perfection. It is to build awareness and give your body more options.

If you do feel discomfort in your knee, hip, or lower leg, this finding can help us have a more informed conversation about what you are experiencing. Always listen to your body’s signals and avoid pushing through pain.

Possible Injuries

This section is not a diagnosis. It is simply a way to connect movement patterns with conversations you may want to have with a medical provider if you are experiencing symptoms.

For a deeper explanation, visit Understanding Possible Injuries:
https://www.floridabodywork.com/2025/06/11/understanding-possible-injuries-in-your-overhead-squat-assessment/

If you have pain, swelling, instability, or a history of injury, it is appropriate to bring your report to your primary care provider or another qualified professional.

How to Talk With Your Provider

Bringing your Overhead Squat Assessment results into a medical or rehab setting can make your conversations more specific and productive.

You might say:

• “During my overhead squat, my right knee moves outward. Can we look at how my hip and knee are working together?”
• “I’ve been noticing this pattern along with some discomfort. What do you think could be contributing to it?”
• “Can you help me understand if this movement pattern relates to what I’m feeling?”

This helps your provider connect your symptoms, if any, with observable movement. It also makes it easier to build a coordinated plan that fits your goals.

What We Do With This Information

At Florida Bodywork, we take this finding and integrate it into your full movement picture. We look at how your feet, hips, spine, and even your upper body are contributing.

From there, we:

• Apply targeted Orthopedic Bodywork to improve tissue quality and mobility
• Build Orthopedic Fitness strategies that support balanced strength and control
• Adjust your programming so your body can move more efficiently without forcing it

If needed, we also collaborate with other professionals to make sure you are fully supported.

This is not about fixing you. It is about refining how your body moves so it can perform, recover, and feel better.

What To Do Next

To deepen your understanding of your results, explore the other posts in this series:

• Angles and Alignment to understand what we look for in ideal movement
• Findings to see how different patterns connect
• Overactive Muscles and Underactive Muscles to learn more about muscle roles
• Possible Injuries for guidance on when to seek medical input
• Your specific Finding Library posts for a more complete picture of your assessment

Each piece builds on the others, giving you a clear, supportive path forward.

You are not defined by a single movement pattern. You are working with a system that is always adapting. With the right approach, you can guide that adaptation in a way that supports strength, resilience, and long-term performance.

What this finding means

When your report notes that your right foot turns outward, it simply means that as you move through your overhead squat, your right foot rotates away from center instead of pointing mostly forward.

You might notice this visually in your video or images as your toes drifting outward or your foot pivoting as you descend. Sometimes it is subtle, and sometimes it is more pronounced, especially as depth increases.

This is not a mistake or a failure. It is your body choosing a strategy that allows you to move with the resources it currently has available. The Overhead Squat Assessment is a movement screen, not a workout and not a diagnosis. It gives us a snapshot of how your system is organizing movement right now.

From here, we simply use that information to support more efficient, comfortable, and powerful movement patterns.

What this often suggests

A foot that turns outward during a squat is often associated with a combination of muscles that are working a bit more and others that may not be contributing as much as they could.

We always look at this as a pattern, not a problem.

Commonly overactive muscles (working more than needed) may include:

• Lateral gastrocnemius (outer calf muscle)
• Soleus (deep calf muscle)
• Biceps femoris short head (outer hamstring)
• Tensor fasciae latae or TFL (front outer hip)
• Adductor complex (inner thigh muscles)

In everyday language, this can look like the outer calf, outer back of the thigh, and parts of the hip and inner thigh doing more of the work to stabilize and move you.

Commonly underactive muscles (not contributing as much as they could) may include:

• Medial gastrocnemius (inner calf)
• Medial hamstrings (inner back of the thigh)
• Gluteus medius and gluteus maximus (side and back of the hip)

In simpler terms, the inner calf and inner hamstrings, along with the glutes, may not be engaging as strongly or as consistently during the movement.

This balance of activity often leads the foot to rotate outward as a way to create stability and range of motion.

Why this matters in daily life

Your feet are your foundation. The way they interact with the ground influences what happens at your ankles, knees, hips, and even your spine.

When one foot consistently turns outward, your body may redistribute load slightly differently on that side. Over time, this can show up as:

• Changes in how you walk or run
• Shifts in how your hips load during workouts
• Differences in balance or stability between sides
• Extra stress in the ankle, knee, or hip during repeated movements

That said, your body is incredibly adaptable. This pattern may have helped you move efficiently for a long time.

Our goal is not to “force” your foot into a new position. Instead, we support your system in accessing more options, so your movement can become more balanced, resilient, and efficient across different activities.

Supportive directions that often help

Based on this pattern, there are a few general directions that many people find helpful. These are not prescriptions, just supportive starting points that we tailor to you.

• Gentle mobility work for the calves and ankles
  Many people benefit from improving mobility in the gastrocnemius and soleus (calf muscles) to allow the ankle to move more freely without needing to rotate outward.
• Activation and control work for the glutes
  Helping the gluteus medius and gluteus maximus (side and back of the hips) engage more effectively can support better alignment through the hip, which often influences the foot.
• Awareness of foot tripod and alignment
  Some people benefit from learning how to feel even pressure through the heel, big toe, and little toe. This can create a more stable base without forcing the foot into position.

We always integrate these into a broader plan through Orthopedic Bodywork and Orthopedic Fitness at Florida Bodywork. Your program is designed around your full assessment, not just one finding, so everything works together in a practical and sustainable way.

A quick note on pain and signals

As you begin to explore any new movement or awareness, your body’s feedback is valuable.

You never need to push through pain to make progress. Discomfort, pinching, or sharp sensations are signals worth paying attention to. We adjust, refine, and support your system so that changes feel safe and sustainable.

Progress happens best when your body feels supported, not forced.

Possible injuries (not a diagnosis)

This finding can sometimes be associated with stress patterns involving the foot, ankle, knee, or hip. However, this is not a diagnosis.

If you are experiencing pain, instability, or ongoing discomfort, it is appropriate to discuss your results with a primary care provider or other qualified medical professional.

For a deeper explanation, visit
Understanding Possible Injuries.

How to talk with your provider

If you choose to bring your report to a provider, you can keep it simple and collaborative. Here are a few ways to frame the conversation:

• “During my overhead squat assessment, my right foot turns outward. I would like to understand if this relates to anything you’re seeing.”
• “I’m working on improving my movement patterns. Is there anything I should be aware of based on this finding and my symptoms?”
• “Can we look at my ankle and hip mobility and strength to see what might be contributing to this?”

This helps connect your movement assessment with their clinical perspective, which can lead to more personalized and effective care.

We are always happy to collaborate with your care team to support the best possible outcome.

How we use this at Florida Bodywork

At Florida Bodywork, this finding becomes part of your bigger picture.

We use it to guide:

• Orthopedic Bodywork sessions that address tissue quality, mobility, and neuromuscular balance
• Orthopedic Fitness programming that builds strength, control, and coordination in a way your body can integrate
• Communication with other professionals when needed to support your overall care

Everything is individualized. Your right foot turning outward is one piece of information that helps us build a plan that fits you.

What to do next

To deepen your understanding and continue building your plan, you can explore the other parts of your assessment:

• Angles and Alignment
• Findings Overview
• Overactive Muscles
• Underactive Muscles
• Possible Injuries
• Your specific Finding Library posts

Each section adds another layer of clarity, helping you move forward with confidence.

You are not trying to “fix” your body. You are learning how it moves, and giving it better options.

When you review your Overhead Squat Assessment results, you may notice the finding “Left Knee Moves Outward.” This is a common and very useful movement pattern to observe. It gives us meaningful insight into how your body is organizing stability, balance, and force through your lower body.

Let’s walk through what this means and how we use it to support your progress.

What This Looks Like

In your report, “Left Knee Moves Outward” means that as you squat, your left knee tracks slightly outside of your foot rather than staying aligned over your second and third toes.

In your movement, this may look like:

• Your left knee drifting outward as you lower into the squat
• More weight shifting into the outer edge of your left foot
• A subtle difference between your right and left side during the movement

This is simply how your body is currently choosing to create stability and control. There is no judgment attached to it. It is information we can use.

What This Pattern Often Suggests

This movement pattern often reflects a combination of muscle activity that is a little more dominant in some areas and a little less active in others.

On the more active side, we often see involvement from:

• Biceps femoris (outer hamstring on the back of your thigh)
• Tensor fasciae latae or TFL (front outer hip)
• Gluteus maximus, particularly the upper fibers (back of your hip)

These areas may be contributing more strongly to pulling the knee outward and stabilizing the leg from the outside.

On the less active side, we often see:

• Adductor group (inner thigh muscles)
• Medial hamstrings (inner back of the thigh)
• Medial gastrocnemius (inner portion of your calf)

These muscles typically help guide the knee to track more centrally and support balanced movement through the leg.

This does not mean anything is “weak” or “tight” in a negative sense. It simply reflects a pattern of coordination that your body is currently using.

Why This May Matter

Your knees are designed to move in a very coordinated relationship with your hips and ankles. When one side shifts outward consistently, your body adapts around that pattern.

You might notice this pattern showing up in:

• Squatting, lunging, or step-ups
• Running or directional changes
• Standing posture over time
• Weight distribution when lifting or carrying

Over time, this outward tracking can change how load moves through your joints and soft tissues. That does not automatically mean something is wrong. It simply means we have an opportunity to improve efficiency, balance, and long-term comfort.

This is exactly where the Overhead Squat Assessment becomes powerful. It helps us see these subtle patterns early, so we can support your body in moving more smoothly and confidently.

Supportive Directions That Often Help

Based on this pattern, we begin thinking in terms of support and balance rather than correction or force.

Many people with this finding benefit from:

• Gentle awareness and control work for the inner thigh muscles (adductors), helping you feel how to guide the knee more centrally during movement
• Mobility and soft tissue work for the outer hip and thigh, including the TFL and lateral hamstrings, to allow more fluid motion
• Integrated lower body exercises that encourage even weight distribution through the foot, especially maintaining connection through the big toe and inner heel

These are not rigid prescriptions. They are general directions that we tailor specifically to you through Orthopedic Bodywork and Orthopedic Fitness at Florida Bodywork.

We always move at a pace that respects your body. There is no need to push through discomfort. Your body’s signals are valuable, and we use them as guidance.

How We Use This Information

At Florida Bodywork, this finding becomes part of a larger picture.

We combine your Overhead Squat Assessment results with:

• Your movement history
• Any current symptoms or areas of concern
• Your training or activity goals

From there, we build a plan that may include:

• Orthopedic Bodywork to support tissue quality and joint motion
• Corrective and performance-based exercise through Orthopedic Fitness
• Collaboration with other professionals when appropriate

This approach allows us to support not just how you move in a squat, but how you move in your daily life and athletic activities.

Talking With Your Provider

If you are working with a primary care provider, physical therapist, or other qualified medical professional, your report can be a helpful communication tool.

You might say:

• “My movement assessment showed that my left knee tends to move outward during squatting. Can we look at how that relates to what I’m feeling?”
• “I’d like to understand if this movement pattern connects to any of my symptoms.”
• “Can we combine this with your evaluation to create a plan that supports better alignment and comfort?”

This kind of conversation helps connect movement patterns with clinical insight, creating a more complete approach to your care.

Possible Injuries

This section of your report is not a diagnosis. It is simply a way to highlight patterns that may be associated with certain conditions in some individuals.

If you are experiencing pain, discomfort, or have concerns, we encourage you to discuss your results with a qualified medical professional.

For a deeper explanation, visit Understanding Possible Injuries.

What To Do Next

If you are reviewing this finding, your next step is to continue building your understanding of how your body moves as a whole.

We recommend exploring:

• Your full Findings section to see how this pattern connects with others
• Overactive Muscles and Underactive Muscles posts for deeper insight into muscle involvement
• Angles and Alignment to understand ideal joint positioning
• Your specific Finding Library posts for related patterns

From there, we can guide you into personalized Orthopedic Bodywork and Orthopedic Fitness strategies that support your goals.

Your assessment is not a pass or fail. It is a snapshot of how your body is organizing movement today. And that awareness gives us a powerful starting point for progress.

When your Overhead Squat Assessment shows “Low Back Arches,” it offers us valuable insight into how your body is organizing stability and mobility right now. This is not a problem or a diagnosis. It is simply a snapshot of your current movement strategy, and it gives us a clear, supportive starting point for improving comfort, strength, and performance.

At Florida Bodywork, we use this information to guide your Orthopedic Bodywork sessions, your Orthopedic Fitness programming, and when appropriate, collaboration with other professionals on your care team.

What This Looks Like

In your report, “Low Back Arches” means that as you move into the squat with your arms overhead, your lumbar spine (low back) increases its natural curve more than expected.

In your movement, this may look like:

• Your lower back tipping into a deeper arch as you descend
• Your ribs lifting upward or flaring slightly
• Your pelvis (hips) tilting forward as you squat

This is a common and very workable pattern. Your body is choosing this strategy to create stability and range where it feels it needs it most.

What This Finding Suggests

This pattern often reflects a relationship between muscles that are working more actively and others that may not be contributing as much as they could right now.

Commonly overactive muscles:

• Hip flexors (front of your hips), such as the iliopsoas
• Erector spinae (low back muscles that create extension or arching)
• Latissimus dorsi (large back muscles that connect your arms to your spine and pelvis)

Commonly underactive muscles:

• Gluteus maximus (main hip extensor, your primary “drive” muscle for standing up)
• Hamstrings (back of your thighs, assist with hip control)
• Intrinsic core stabilizers, including the transverse abdominis (deep abdominal support system)

In everyday terms, your body may be relying more on your low back and the front of your hips for movement and stability, while the deeper core and posterior chain (backside support system) are participating less.

This is not something to “fix” aggressively. It is something we gently rebalance over time.

Why This May Matter

Your movement patterns show up everywhere, not just in a squat.

When your low back consistently takes on more work, you may notice:

• Increased tension or fatigue in your lower back after standing, lifting, or training
• A feeling of “tight hips” even when stretching does not seem to change it
• Difficulty feeling your glutes engage during exercise
• Changes in posture, especially with prolonged sitting or standing

This pattern can also influence how force moves through your body during activities like lifting, running, or even daily tasks like picking something up.

The good news is that your body is highly adaptable. With the right inputs, it can learn to distribute effort more efficiently.

Supportive Directions That Often Help

We always approach this pattern with respect for your body’s current strategy. The goal is not to force change, but to invite more balanced support.

Many people benefit from:

• Gentle mobility work for the hip flexors (front of hips) and latissimus dorsi (side body and back), helping reduce the pull into excessive arching
• Core awareness training that emphasizes deep stabilization, especially learning how to engage the transverse abdominis (deep abdominal support) without gripping or bracing aggressively
• Glute activation and integration work, focusing on smooth, controlled hip extension so the glutes can share the workload more effectively

These are directions, not prescriptions. Your exact plan will depend on your full assessment, your goals, and how your body responds.

As always, we avoid pushing through pain. Your body’s signals are meaningful, and we use them to guide progress.

How We Use This in Your Plan

At Florida Bodywork, we take this finding and integrate it into a bigger picture.

We may:

• Use Orthopedic Bodywork to reduce excess tone in the hip flexors and low back
• Apply neuromuscular techniques to improve communication between your core and hips
• Build your Orthopedic Fitness program to support better sequencing and control during movement

This is also where collaboration matters. If you are working with a trainer, therapist, or medical provider, we can align your plan so everyone is supporting the same outcome.

Talking With Your Provider

If you have symptoms like persistent low back discomfort, hip pain, or changes in function, it is a great idea to bring your assessment results to your provider.

You might say:

• “My movement assessment showed increased lumbar extension during squatting. Can we look at how my core and hip function might be contributing?”
• “I notice my low back arches during movement. Could this relate to what I’m feeling?”
• “Here’s my report. I’d like your perspective on how this connects to my symptoms.”

This helps create a more informed, collaborative conversation focused on your movement, not just isolated symptoms.

Possible Injuries

This section of your report is not a diagnosis. It simply highlights patterns that can sometimes be associated with certain conditions.

If you are experiencing pain, discomfort, or concern, we recommend speaking with your primary care provider or another qualified medical professional.

For a deeper explanation, visit Understanding Possible Injuries.

What To Do Next

Your “Low Back Arches” finding is one piece of a very useful puzzle. To get the most out of your results, continue exploring the rest of your report.

We recommend reviewing:

• Angles and Alignment to understand how your joints are positioning
• Findings to see how patterns connect across your body
• Overactive Muscles and Underactive Muscles to better understand muscle balance
• Your specific Finding Library posts for deeper insight into each pattern

If you have not yet, you can also revisit our how-to page and video to see your movement with fresh awareness.

From here, we take what your body has shown us and build a plan that supports strength, efficiency, and long-term resilience.