stage kyphosis is still from soft tissues, so massage and exercise play a vital role. Taping and bracing may also be used to support the area and unload the painful tissues.

n In a lordotic posture, what happens to the length of the abdominal muscles and hip flexors?

FURTHER READING

1. Back Stability: Integrating Science and Therapy. Christopher M. Norris. Human Kinetics Europe 2008. Buy on Amazon ISBN 0736070176 http:// bit.ly/ijGyNN (£32.29).

TEST YOUR LEARNING

n If the recruitment of a muscle is poor, would you expect the tone to be higher or lower than normal on palpation?

THE AUTHOR Christopher Norris is a

physiotherapist specialising in musculoskeletal treatment.

He is an external lecturer and external examiner to several universities and runs postgraduate continuing professional development courses (listed on his website at www.norrisassociates.co.uk). He is the author of several therapy books (see panel on the right).

2. Managing Sports Injuries: a guide for students and clinicians. Christopher M. Norris.. Churchill Livingstone 2011. Buy on Amazon ISBN 070203473 http://bit.ly/g70031 (£47.49). 3. The Complete Guide to Abdominal Training. Christopher M. Norris. A & C Black 2009. Buy on Amazon ISBN 14081102106 http://bit.ly/mH118Z (£10.91)

4. The Complete Guide to Stretching. Christopher M. Norris. A & C Black 2009. Buy on Amazon ISBN 0713683481 http://bit.ly/iTC2R1 (£10.45). 5. Bodytoning: Principles and Practice. Christopher M. Norris. A & C Black 2003 . Buy on Amazon ISBN 0713661720 http://bit.ly/ke9NQU (£14.44). 6. Acupuncture: Treatment of Musculoskeletal Conditions. Christopher M. Norris. Butterworth-Heinemann 2001. Buy on Amazon ISBN 0750651733 http://bit.ly/l2baQv (£43.69). 7. The Complete Guide to Sports Injuries. Christopher M. Norris. A & C Black 2011. Buy on Amazon ISBN 1408130777 http://bit.ly/mL01Qg (£10.45).

8. Stretching for Racquet Sports: Chris Norris’s Three-phase Programme. Christopher M. Norris. A & C Black 2008. Buy on Amazon ISBN 1408106957 http://bit.ly/kDexlE (£7.19). 9. Stretching for Running: Chris Norris’s Three-phase Programme. Christopher M. Norris. A & C Black 2008. Buy on Amazon ISBN 1408106949 http://bit.ly/ifrsaJ (£7.19).

online

Log into www.sportex.net and go to the Online Access area to watch these videos

Video 1: Lumbar lordosis - stretching lumbar spine

Video 2: Lumbar lordosis - stretching hip flexors

Video 3: Lumbar lordosis - stretching abdominals

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Video 4: Kyphotic posture

Video 5: Swayback posture

sportEX dynamics 2011;29(July):15-18