Q is for Quadriceps

As the name would imply, the quadriceps muscle group has four muscles: rectus femoris, vastus intermedius, vastus medialis and vastus lateralis. These muscles are what we commonly know as our thigh muscles, and are responsible for extending the knee (i.e. straightening the lower leg) – and also providing a braking force when running downhill or stopping suddenly. Rectus femoris also flexes the hip – as it attaches to the pelvis (at the anterior inferior iliac spine). Rectus femoris and vastus intermedius are situated down the central portion of your thigh and act on the knee centrally with power when extending … Continue reading

Stretches for desk workers – part 2

Following on from Stretches for desk workers – part 1, here are the next five stretches for you: 6. Interlaced hands above your head with palms facing upwards (remember to stretch your ribs) then add a slight side bend. Repeat on opposite side. 7. Shoulder shrugs and drops: first shrug your shoulders towards your ears, hold, then release and drop your shoulders and slide your shoulder blades downwards. 8. Palms together in front of you, keeping your elbows level. 9. Spine rotations: cross you right leg over your left, left hand on right knee, right elbow on back of your … Continue reading

Stretches for desk workers – part 1

Do you sit at a desk for long periods of time? Chances are you experience some sort of discomfort or aches because you’re sitting in a fixed position. There’s more about being a Desk Jockey in this article.  To help you combat the stiffness and tension your body is being subjected to we’ve put together ten stretches that will help you relieve those aches and pains….just remember to do them a few times each day. Here’s the first five stretches, we’ll post the others soon: 1. Interlace your fingers behind your head and gently squeeze your shoulder blades together, push … Continue reading

M is for Mobility

Mobility and movement are pretty important to the human body. If it does not move, it will seize up, quite literally. The axiom “use it or lose it” is very very true, and there is a reason for this. I have recently heard a lot of people going on and on about something called the SAID principle. It is a simplified version of a much more complex physiological theory – SAID stands for Specific Adaptations to Imposed Demands. Very basically, if you make your body do something, then it will adapt to that input and will make the body better … Continue reading

Diabetes and Massage

11-17 June is Diabetes Awareness Week You may not realise, but massage can help if you are a diabetic. We won’t be looking at the causes and reasons for diabetes; there is a plethora of information on the internet available for you to browse at your leisure. What I want to focus on here is how massage can help, and if there are any techniques we need to modify or avoid with the diabetic client. First we’ll look at whether massage is appropriate for the diabetic client – your safety and health are paramount to us. In a treatment the first … Continue reading

L is for Lumbar

It’s no secret that back pain is common among the general population – more so in recent times, where we find ourselves leading increasingly sedentary lives – or at the least, spending a lot more time in a sitting position, rather than up and about, out in the wild trying to catch our dinner or foraging for food! The lumbar region of your spine (lower back) is made up of five vertebrae and bears the majority of the body’s weight, it also happens to be the second most flexible region of your spine after the cervical region, your neck. There’s clearly a stability … Continue reading