Your knee, kinda mesmerizing to watch the ligaments and meniscus in motion. Ligaments attach bone to bone, the meniscus is a shock absorber between these bones. Missing from the photo are the muscles creating the movement, and the tendon containing the patella/knee cap. Your knee cap rests within the tendons of the quad muscles of the thigh.
Hamstrings
Muscle Monday!
Today letās look at the hamstrings. This is a group of three separate muscles on the back of the thigh, Biceps Femoris on the lateral(outer), Semitendenosus and Semimembranosus, the āsemi-sistersā on the medial(inner), all three attach to that little bone that you sit on (and really notice sitting on bleachers at hockey games), the Ischial Tuberosity. This set will flex your knee and extend your hip.
I often find the left set of hamstrings to be stronger and the right set to be weaker. I also find an effect called Reciprocal Inhibition where strength and weakness is opposite in the Quads of the front of the thigh.
Psoas
Muscle Monday
Hereās one of my favourite muscles, the Psoas. Itās known in yoga as the Seat of the Soul, prolonged stretches like the Pidgeon can give you quite an emotional release.
The psoas does a few different things, helping you either lean forward or flex your hip. When I pull on your leg, this is the muscle youāll feel connecting the femur to the lumbar and the T12 rib, people often say they feel taller afterwards.
This is a deep muscle of your core, direct massage can be done but itās often quite uncomfortable.
Muscle Mondayā¦ on a Tuesday!
I hope your long weekend was great! Hereās the next instalment of Muscle Monday, and itās all about your Second Heart.
The Triceps Surae, commonly known as the calves, is made of two separate muscles, the Gastrocnemius and the Soleus. Together they make the āstepping on the gasā motion at the ankle called Plantar flexion. As you walk, this muscle set will help pump deoxygenated blood back towards your heart, giving it the second heart status.
A good stretch is easy to make if you come up to a wall while standing, get your heel close in with your toes pointing up the wall, then lean yourself in towards the wall.
Levator Scapula
Muscle Monday
Hereās a muscle that can be bothersome if you spend time looking down at your cell phone or computer screen. Too many pillows while side sleeping really affect this muscle as well.
You can stretch this by pulling that shoulder downward while turning your head slightly away, for a deeper stretch you can even tug on the side of your head.
Deltoid
Muscle Monday, Week 2
This is the deltoid, the muscle that gives your shoulder itās shape. Itās typically broken down into three segments, each with specific movements bringing your arm up, in front and behind you. It gets its name from the Greek capital letter delta Ī, for its triangle shape.
Video is from an app called 3D Anatomy, by Education Mobile
Trapezius
Muscle Monday!
Hereās a muscle of the back commonly called the ātraps,ā named Trapezius. Itās so large it is actually broken down into three zones, lower, mid and upper. Running over your ribs and all the way up your neck, massage of this major muscle and bring quick relief. The edge is easily found between your neck and shoulders.
Click the animation below to watch the Trapezius in action!
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