Our extensor muscles are the primary muscles of initiating action. If someone calls your name or the phone rings in the other room, we all tend to straighten up a bit and perk up our ears, before even getting up. This network of muscles
, which includes the calves, hamstrings, as well as the muscles of the back and neck are engaging and life-affirming. They make it possible to push off into a step, look up at the sky and open your arms to welcome someone into a hug. In a baby’s development, learning to use these muscles is one of the most exciting accomplishments. When these muscles are used, the baby can lift the head, choose what to look at as well as gain the spinal support necessary for locomotion; crawling and later walking.
The back muscles engage when we are needed and when we have the intention to engage in an activity. With all of our adult responsibilities, we tend to engage these muscles a lot – to the point where chronic tension can develop resulting in constant, nagging back pain: tight shoulders, neck pain, lower back pain. Essentially, these overused muscles tire and hurt. As far as low back pain is concerned these chronically contracted muscles keep the spinal disks compressed which in the long-run can compromise their integrity.
In concert with the contraction of the back muscles and the back of the legs, there is almost always tightness in the muscles along the side of the legs (IT band) and of the gluteal muscles (buttocks). This can cause a pain that goes down the leg, sometimes also paired with a distinct pain in the gluteals – a veritable pain in the butt! This pain, sometimes referred to as Piriformis Syndrome, is due to the piriformis muscle squeezing and irritating the sciatic nerve that travels down the leg. By releasing the tight muscles, relief from pain is immediate.
A qualified bodyworker can accomplish this release manually. Additionally, by learning how to better control these muscles yourself through somatic exercises, it is possible to relax them when they are not being used, allowing the muscles to rejuvenate and preventing any pain from occurring.
If you suffer from chronic back pain, it is not enough to take a pain-killer and mask the symptoms. When over-done, this practice can lead to serious structural problems. Through bodywork and neuro-muscular education you can restore balance to your spine and muscles.
If you have questions about your particular condition, please feel free to call us at (510) 495-4449.
The back muscles engage when we are needed and when we have the intention to engage in an activity. With all of our adult responsibilities, we tend to engage these muscles a lot – to the point where chronic tension can develop resulting in constant, nagging back pain: tight shoulders, neck pain, lower back pain. Essentially, these overused muscles tire and hurt. As far as low back pain is concerned these chronically contracted muscles keep the spinal disks compressed which in the long-run can compromise their integrity.
In concert with the contraction of the back muscles and the back of the legs, there is almost always tightness in the muscles along the side of the legs (IT band) and of the gluteal muscles (buttocks). This can cause a pain that goes down the leg, sometimes also paired with a distinct pain in the gluteals – a veritable pain in the butt! This pain, sometimes referred to as Piriformis Syndrome, is due to the piriformis muscle squeezing and irritating the sciatic nerve that travels down the leg. By releasing the tight muscles, relief from pain is immediate.
A qualified bodyworker can accomplish this release manually. Additionally, by learning how to better control these muscles yourself through somatic exercises, it is possible to relax them when they are not being used, allowing the muscles to rejuvenate and preventing any pain from occurring.
If you suffer from chronic back pain, it is not enough to take a pain-killer and mask the symptoms. When over-done, this practice can lead to serious structural problems. Through bodywork and neuro-muscular education you can restore balance to your spine and muscles.
If you have questions about your particular condition, please feel free to call us at (510) 495-4449.
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