Last Reviewed by: Dr. Steve Knighton | March 15, 2026
Anterior Pelvic Tilt and Hip Flexor Treatment Oakville
Our Oakville Chiropractic and Physiotherapy clinic has been treating hip flexor pain and anterior pelvic tilt for 20 years. We understand the underlying causes of tight hip flexors and how to effectively correct the psoas muscle and pelvic tilt, helping you move better and live pain-free. Our goal is to address the root cause of your anterior pelvic tilt discomfort and guide you back to your normal routine with expert care.
With over 40 years of combined experience, our hip flexor specialists use evidence-based protocols and proven techniques to diagnose and treat psoas and hip flexor issues. Whether your pain stems from poor posture, muscle imbalances, or overuse, we provide personalized treatment plans tailored to your needs.
Anterior pelvic tilt happens when your hips tip forward — kind of like your body is stuck in a mini “lean forward” position. When that happens, it can cause low back pain, stiffness, or even tingling down the leg. You might notice it after sitting at your desk too long… or even while walking your dog around the block.
With more screen time and less movement these days, tight hip flexors are becoming very common at our clinic in Oakville. When those muscles — especially the psoas — tighten up, they pull the spine and pelvis out of balance. This often stresses the SI joint, and in many cases creates an inferior SI joint dysfunction, which needs to be adjusted differently than a typical superior SI issue.
The good news? This is very treatable — when it’s diagnosed properly. Many patients are told they simply have “low back pain,” but the real driver is anterior pelvic tilt combined with tight hip flexors and a specific inferior SI joint problem.
Correct the imbalance. Release the tight muscles. Restore proper SI joint motion. That’s how you get lasting results.
Dr. Steve is one of the humble person. He always treats you like a friend and pay attention to your problem. Moreover, he politely explains each and every problem and solutions. The staff of this clinic is also very good. All the staff greets you. When you are waiting at... read more the corridor. Highly recommended to this clinic
Sanyam Jain August 7, 2024
Dr. Jenn was great to work with. I’d recommend her
Lida Liu November 7, 2024
Dr Steve and team have transformed my neck and upper back. They worked their magic to help release tension and my sleep is much better. Bonus - they love dogs so mine come to appts for social visits!
Vidya B September 7, 2024
I’ve been going to Steve and his team for chiropractic care for several years, and they have helped me tremendously. Despite living in downtown Toronto, I make the trip out to Oakville because the quality of care is truly worth it. Steve takes a holistic approach, looking at the... read more root cause of the problem rather than just focusing on adjustments, although the adjustments themselves are highly effective. His team is always welcoming and professional, making every visit a positive experience. If you’re looking for a chiropractor who goes above and beyond, I can’t recommend Steve enough!
Aman Bahl November 7, 2024
The docter and his team have been awesome. I had strong pain severe and I went to alot of other docters who chraged money heavily but did not offer single solution however this place and the team they understood first day and helped me in a great way . Initially... read more i was reluctant and felt sad for not having less pain for forst two sittings but after third session it started helping me eventually and it Became more easier for me i thank the whole team and the docter ….. ❤️
Preet Sangha February 6, 2025
Dr.Steve and his team are very professional, focused. I came with severe pain in my knee, and he quickly got to the point, and in three sessions, I have recovered considerably- from not being able to walk and pain to a level of 10/10 in some positions, to being able... read more to walk pain free. A good professional staff helped build confidence in the care.
Prashant Bhatt November 7, 2024
Wow! Wow! Wow! Some serious back pain from recent snow event. Sent emergency pleading text yesterday and was squeezed in for an appt BEFORE the clinic even opened. Can’t express my sincere gratitude enough. Over and above 5star service from Dr Steve and the amazing Laura. This wasn’t the... read more first time I’ve been taken care of and accommodated when in pain. The rest of the assistants and front desk also deserve a shout out! They are AMAZING in completing the team
Anna Molar February 20, 2025
I had a great experience with Dr. Steve and his team! Dr. Steve is very knowledgeable, and the whole team is welcoming and professional. After my visits, my elbow pain is now mostly relieved. Highly recommend their care!
Li Li November 7, 2024
Dr. Steve is professional and friendly. He explained the cause of knee pain and answered all my concerns about the injury. His assistant and all staff at the clinic are really nice and patient. As a tourist, it is very frustrating to have an injury during the trip. However, they... read more gave me a lot of help and my condition improved very quickly
Bo Zhang August 7, 2024
Hip Flexor and Anterior Pelvic Tilt Treatment:
At our Oakville Chiropractic and Physiotherapy clinic we treat anterior pelvic tilt in many ways.
Hip Flexor and Psoas Treatment
5 Steps in Treating Anterior Pelvic Tilt and Hip Flexor
1. Interferential Current (IFC)Therapy
IFC is an evidence-based form of electrical stimulation that our skilled, qualified healthcare professionals use to relieve pain and accelerate healing. During your session, soft silicone suction cups are placed on the skin over the injured area. These cups deliver two gentle electrical currents that cross beneath the surface, making your muscles contract and relax in a smooth, rhythmic pattern.
You may notice a slight twitch or “jump” in the muscle and hear a buzzing sound, but most people describe the feeling as comfortable—even soothing—rather than painful. The controlled contractions increase local blood flow, flush out inflammatory waste products, and bring fresh oxygen and nutrients to the tissues. Backed by solid scientific research, IFC is a personalized treatment plan that helps to optimize recovery from sprains, strains, tendonitis, and many other muscle or joint conditions.
2. Shockwave Therapy for Anterior Pelvic Tilt and Hip Flexor
As part of our evidence-based chiropractic care and comprehensive approach to pain relief and mobility restoration, we use Shockwave Therapy to target deep muscle dysfunction—especially in hard-to-reach areas like the psoas and hip flexors.
Shockwave Therapyis a non-invasive treatment that uses high-energy sound waves to stimulate healing deep within the muscle and tendon tissues. It breaks up scar tissue, improves circulation, and helps your body repair itself faster. For hip flexors and the psoas muscle—common culprits in lower back pain, hip stiffness, and postural issues—shockwave therapy is especially effective. These muscles are deep in the body, making them hard to treat with standard massage or stretching. But shockwave can penetrate deep without needles or surgery, delivering relief right where it’s needed.
Shockwave therapy is a personalized treatment plan that’s backed by science, delivered by skilled professionals, and designed to help you move better, faster.
At our clinic, Instrument-Assisted Soft Tissue Release (IASTR)—commonly referred to as “scraping”—is an advanced technique used by our chiropractors to treat chronic muscle tension, scar tissue buildup, and inflammation. It involves using specially designed tools to gently but effectively glide across the skin over affected muscles and soft tissue. This motion helps break down adhesions, stimulate blood flow, and promote the body’s natural healing response.
While scraping may cause some temporary discomfort—especially in areas with a lot of scar tissue or tension—many patients report immediate relief and improved flexibility right after treatment. It’s one of those “hurts-so-good” therapies that delivers fast, noticeable results.
This technique is especially useful when treating deep or stubborn issues like tight hip flexors, psoas muscle dysfunction, or chronic low back pain. When combined with shockwave therapy or percussion therapy, scraping helps release restrictions in muscle fibers, increase your range of motion, and reduce inflammation in areas that are hard to target with hands-on therapy alone.
Think of it as a scientific, evidence-based upgrade to traditional deep tissue massage—used by professionals to help you move, feel, and heal better. Whether you’re dealing with sports injuries, posture-related tension, or chronic stiffness, scraping is an effective part of a personalized treatment plan designed to get you back to living pain-free.
4. Active Release Therapy for Tight Hip Flexors and Anterior Pelvic Tilt
Both our chiropractic and physiotherapy teams use a strategic combination of Trigger Point Therapy and Active Release Therapy (ART) to treat tight hip flexors and the muscle imbalances associated with anterior pelvic tilt.
Trigger point therapy involves applying precise, sustained pressure to tight “knots” within a muscle. These knots restrict blood flow, limit movement, and can refer pain into the low back, hip, or even down the leg. By releasing these areas, we help restore normal muscle tone and reduce tension pulling on the pelvis.
ART takes this a step further. While applying specific tension to the muscle, the practitioner moves the joint to actively shorten and lengthen the tissue. This helps break up adhesions, improve glide between muscle layers, and restore proper movement patterns. It’s controlled, targeted, and highly effective for stubborn hip flexor tightness.
Dr. Steve finds that combining ART and trigger point therapy produces the best results for anterior pelvic tilt. In most cases, ART is performed on the psoas and quadratus lumborum (QL) muscles — two key drivers of pelvic imbalance. Trigger point therapy is often applied to the glutes and deep hip rotator muscles, which commonly become weak, inhibited, or overworked in compensation.
When you release the tight structures and re-activate the right muscles, the pelvis can finally return to a more neutral position — and that’s when patients truly start to feel the difference.
5. Chiropractic Spinal Adjustments:
Also known as spinal manipulation, this treatment helps restore proper motion to restricted joints. When you hear that small crack or popping sound, it’s simply gas releasing from the joint — and it often brings immediate relief. By improving joint movement, we help relax the surrounding muscles, reduce pressure, and ease pain and tightness.
If you’ve seen Dr. Steve draw his famous hip-flexor and low back diagram in the clinic, you know there are multiple factors involved. The truth is, pain rarely comes from just one structure. Rather than guessing at a single cause, Dr. Steve addresses all the likely contributors. This comprehensive approach often produces faster, longer-lasting results than focusing only on tight hip flexors.
Treatment commonly includes adjusting the lumbar spine and lower thoracic spine to help patients stand taller and improve the angle of an anteriorly tilted pelvis. In many cases, there is also an inferior SI joint dysfunction on the tighter hip flexor side. That joint requires a slightly different, specific chiropractic adjustment to restore proper motion and balance.
This is when a tiny needle is put into your skin where the affected muscles are. The needle will be placed there for about 12 minutes and will loosen up the muscle and promote new blood to flow to the area. Bright side is you don’t even know it is there!
Anterior pelvic tilt is caused by a tight muscle called the psoas, which is a deep muscle found in your low back. When this muscle gets tight it pulls your pelvis forward causing the tilt. This muscle can get tight by many reasons but the most common reason is sitting for prolonged periods of time without a break. That is why Dr. Steve recommends taking breaks during your work day and walk around. His favorite prescription for tight hip flexors is getting up every 30 minutes and doing 10 deep squats!
Some frequent symptoms of psoas pain are lower back pain (which can feel quite severe), pain in the front of the hips, pain with coughing or sneezing and difficulty with transitions (for example – sitting to standing or turning over in bed).
Pain from a psoas/hip flexor injury may also be felt in the front of the hip or top of the thigh. Pain may even radiate down into the quad. Pain may be felt with activities like climbing the stairs, lifting the leg and sitting for extended periods of time.
Are you looking for Oakville Physiotherapy for your anterior pelvic tilt? Check out Vinaya our Physiotherapist and book today!
Exercises for Anterior Pelvic Tilt and Psoas Injury:
Video on Anterior Pelvic Tilt Stretches
There are home stretches that are can help reduce some of the muscle tension. When stretching, you should feel the pull in the front of the thigh/groin area. It is important that the stretches are held for 30 seconds. It is ok if the stretch is uncomfortable, but it should not be excruciatingly painful.
How does the psoas contribute to anterior pelvic tilt?
What are symptoms of anterior pelvic tilt?
What are the symptoms of psoas pain?
What activities should I avoid when I have anterior pelvic tilt?
Does my posture cause my anterior pelvic tilt?
Should I see a physiotherapist or chiropractor for my psoas pain and/or anterior pelvic tilt?
Does sitting at my work station cause anterior pelvic tilt?
Does shockwave therapy fix anterior pelvic tilt?
How long does it take to correct my anterior pelvic tilt?
There are many reasons for this but the main causes are sitting too much (like at your desk), poor posture or a weak core.
When this muscle gets tight it will pull on the pelvis, tipping it forward.
Some symptoms you may experience are pain, tightness, tingling down the leg and potentially muscle weakness.
Symptoms to psoas pain you may be feeling are tightness, pain when moving (walking), pain when sitting, pain that travels down the leg to the knee and a limp.
You should avoid sitting too long in your chair. Try taking breaks during your work day and walk around to stretch that muscle out.
Yes, poor posture is a major contributor to your anterior pelvic tilt.
100% you should come see our Oakville Chiropractor and Physiotherapist for your anterior pelvic tilt.
Yes, sitting at your work station causes your anterior pelvic tilt. Prolonged sitting is the major contributor to your APT.
Yes! Shockwave is a great treatment service for your APT. It helps get that deep psoas muscle and loosen it up.
Everyone heals differently. some people take a few weeks or some people may take months to correct their APT. To help speed up recovery avoid activities that aggravate the muscle and contribute to the tilt.
