Article - A note from your bottom

Dear Owner,

As you sit on me right now to read this, it dawns on me that you don’t really know me all that well. So I would like to take this opportunity to tell you more about myself and show you what other uses I have other than cushioning your seat. For instance, I could help keep your other muscles in better condition, stave off lower back pain, butt pain, or pain that feels as though it is running down your leg. And speaking of running, I could help you run without that burning pain you sometimes get when you train. And if you have had a baby, please look after me, or I might atrophy (waste away) which will mean you lose your lovely bottom shape and other muscles will have to do my job which may cause problems elsewhere.

I say I am your bottom but I am just one muscle of the three that makes up your buttock. I am gluteus maximus. No, I didn’t fight alongside Russell Crowe in Gladiator, but, I am the biggest muscle in your body. I attach from your ilium and sacrum to your femur and ITB (iliotibial band.)

My other jobs are to extend your hip (bring a bent thigh back down in line with your body.) Or when you take your leg back (in preparation to kick a ball for instance) that’s me, I’m helping you do that.

I also help rotate your hip joint away from your body.

My other job is to help your trunk back to its upright position when you get up from a stooping or seated position and hold your trunk up when you are running or climbing. Don’t get me wrong, I am not a postural muscle because I do not support your trunk when you are sitting, standing or walking. If I have been weakened or inhibited by the tightening of other muscles, I cannot perform my jobs properly. Other structures in your body will have to take over my jobs. They do not like working overtime as this can lead to tightness, overuse, pain and injury in the lower back and hamstrings.

So please keep me in good condition!

Sometimes runners can end up with a deep pain in the gluteal region that can radiate to the thigh, lower leg, groin or lower back. This is known as Piriformis Syndrome. This can be caused by prolonged periods of sitting - at a desk or long distance driving perhaps – or during activities that include twisting the torso such as tennis or golf.

If you have think you have Piriformis Syndrome it is well worth seeing a sports massage therapist. Massage benefits has helped people get better within just 1 – 3 treatments and some sound advice.

Until then, can you please stop doing that thing you do, you know, when you wear your wallet in your back pocket then walk around or even worse, sit down. You are squishing me against a deeper muscle that impinges your sciatic nerve and that can hurt!

Also, if you think I have become an inhibited muscle, please seek advice to switch me back on so that I can do my job properly. I don’t want to waste away and overwork my co-workers.

Many Thanks for taking the time to listen to me. I hope I haven’t been too demanding. I am just trying to help you to help me to help you.

Gluteus Maximus