Imbalanced mobility in legs

Do you guys has some tips to give about an imbalances in legs?  My left hamstring is pretty good compared to my right one - I can't even put myself in APT with this one (no matter the height I'm in), but with the left, I'm able to.

Someone can help me?

Thanks!

Hi E'tienne, being completely symmetrical it is completely impossible. The situation can be solved by a physiotherapist checking so that he/she can understand the cause of the problem that may be not ALWAYS the tight muscle and then work the 2 limbs separately with the correct stretch.

Hi Alessandro,

Thanks!  But there's no way we can have some clues without me seeing a physiotherapiste? I mean, I will sure see one, but I'm still curious.

2 hours ago, Étienne Lajeunesse said:

 But there's no way we can have some clues

Maybe your right glute is not firing properly and your hamstring is compensating during the hip extension (all day long, when you walk, run, etc), and thus get overused and shortened/tight? 

Maybe... but why not the other leg?  Anyway, I'm going to see a physio. for that.  I was asking just for the wait before my first appointment, if I could try something to help.

Thanks anyway!

Because we often live quite imbalanced "life"… doing things with the dominant arm most of the time, driving the car using one leg/side/arm much more than other… often we sit and stand unevenly and prefer the  more comfortable position… etc. It accumulates and compounds. If playing sports like tennis, golf, etc it gets even worse. Your problem is a common problem among my aging tennis player athletes… one glute completely checks out, and then the whole chain of problems happens. 

4 minutes ago, Suzanna McGee said:

 Your problem is a common problem among my aging tennis player athletes… one glute completely checks out, and then the whole chain of problems happens. 

It gets me to think about what I do, martial arts.  My primary leg is my right one to kick.  It could have started for there...

@Suzanna McGee @Étienne Lajeunesse

Suzanna: spot on in My case,, Easy way to check glute activation/strength is to go into table hold position (preferably laying on your upper traps/neck instead of standing on hands) and lift one leg straight for time... try both legs. For me, right one is significantly worse. 

Etienne: I have a martial arts background aswell,, i think My misstake was Standing 70-80% in a left guard (left leg in front) to be able to kick hard with My back leg(right one).. when i was Young i got away with it but now im paying the Price. Right glute is not fiering like suzanna mentioned. Right hamstring tighter, right ankle are tight. Right leg are more externally rotated for all the mawashi geris, left leg stood more for frontkicks so the left leg did not have to externally rotate nearly as much. Do we have some similar problems Etienne?

Hi Etienne, 

I think Jonas and Suzanna have provided excellent posts. And you yourself have gone a long way towards answering your own question. Alessandro also mentioned the near impossibility for people to be perfectly symetrical. When you start adding the multiplier of time to your movement patterns it easy to see how imbalances within your body's structure materialize. Being aware of it is the first step, a proper clinical diagnosis and then consistent effort will go a long way to helping restore balance for you.

I look forward to hearing how you go with your Physiotherapist and the plan of action that you come up with 

@Jonas Berglund, I think it's the opposite of your case for my part.  I use a lot my right leg, and my left stays behind.  While practicing my kicks during the years, and by lack of strenght and flexibility, I developed bad forms. I suppose my body just got used to it and now I'm paying the price.  But it still just a supposition.

@Darin Phoenix, thank you for your post!  I'm really aware of my body and always try to inform myself about what's going on.  I'll keep you in touch on my progress!

Thanks to all

So, I went to see a physiotherapist and it looks like I have a postural problem.  One side of my body is strong but not mobile and the other one is weak but flexible.  It seems some muscles work a lot more than others...

My spine makes an S and it gives me light back pain.  Tomorrow, I am going to see another physiotherapist specialized in postural imbalances.  

I have to do some strength and flexibility exercises at home for my hips (particularly around my glutes) and even breathing exercises to relax my tensions.

I'm looking forward to see what my appointment will bring me!