Muscle of the Month

With over 600 muscles in the human body, which makes up approximately 40% of total human body weight, it’s no wonder some of them will feel fatigued and cause discomfort at some stage. Skeletal muscles, the ones we have voluntary control over, and are the primary focus of most massages, are attached to the bones and have 3 main functions:

• to move the skeleton,
• to maintain posture, especially the large muscles of the thighs, buttocks, back, neck and shoulders; and
• to generate heat. Most of the heat needed to keep the body at 37°C is generated by muscles. When we feel cold, muscles can raise their heat output by contracting quickly and briefly, or as we know it, shivering.Glleteus Maximus

Each month I will share some information with you about the function of each major muscle group. This month we start with….

Gluteus Maximus

From the Greek gloutos, buttock and maximum, biggest
Gluteus maximus is the heaviest and most coarsely fibered muscle in the body and makes up the bulk of the buttock. Not only does this muscle help with posture it also helps us stand from a seated position as well as walking up stairs and is heavily utilised in activities like running, surfing and jumping.

If you are feeling tight through your lower back and buttock lay on your back and use your hands to gently bring your knees to you chest.   As you breath out slowly bring your knees closer to your chest and hold for 15 to 30 seconds.  Repeat two or three times and then slowly roll on to your side, move in to a sitting position and then get up.

The Concise Book of Muscles, 2003