Stretch of the week
If you only do one stretch this week ..... do this one.
Cross-legged seated gluteal stretch
Start in a cross-legged position with your back upright.
Your shins should be parallel to your body and your feet should be as far out to the sides as you can get them.
Keeping a straight back, bend forwards with arms outstretched.
Hold for at least 10 seconds - BREATHE - then inch hands forward - do at least three times.
Then cross your legs the other way and repeat.
Why do it?
The gluteal muscles [buttock muscles] are tight in nearly everyone. These critters - [yes, there are three] get irritable and uptight when we do too much sitting, too much standing or indeed too much exercise.
Overdo it, or underdo, it in any way and you'll likely start to wince should a massage therapist start pummelling your buttocks.
Tight buttock muscles can also impact on your lower back and are often a contributing factor to lower back pain.
A tight piriformis muscle, deep within the buttocks, is often a contributing factor to sciatica. This is because the large femoral nerve passes close to the piriformis on it's way through the pelvis down the leg. Pressure from the piriformis muscle on the femoral nerve can result in numbness and tingling in the thigh, calf and foot.
Stretched gluteal muscles mean you'll never have to say you have a pain the in the butt!
Categories:
MassageTherapist Zone,
Stretching
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