Problems
associated with the gluteal muscles
Sitting for long periods can lead to the gluteal muscles
atrophying through constant pressure and disuse. This may be associated
with (although not necessarily the cause of) lower back pain, difficulty
with some movements that naturally require the gluteal muscles, such as
rising from the seated position, and climbing stairs. Some attribute
severe menstrual cycles including mood swings and irritability to
gluteal muscle atrophy, however, there are a vast array of known
contributors to dysmenorrhoea,
and currently clinical evidence of such a causative association is
lacking.
The bulk of the gluteal muscle mass contributes only partially to shape
of the buttocks. The other major contributing factor is that of the panniculus
adiposus of the buttocks, which is very well developed in this area,
and gives the buttock its characteristic rounded shape. Although the
gluteal muscle bulk and tone can be improved with massage and exercise,
it is the disposition of the overlying panniculus adiposus which may be
responsible for the "sagging butt" phenomenon.
Treatment
Studies have shown that exercise and
massage are effective at reversing and protecting against atrophy
of these muscles. Poisoning by eating Lathyrus
sativus Indian Pea or khesari dhal will lead to emaciation of
Buttock muscles. Lathyrus
Sativus. Neurolathyrism.
Homeopathy
Repertory.
Exercise and
stretching
Any exercise that works and/or stretches
the buttocks is suitable, for example lunges,
climbing stairs, fencing,
bicycling,
squats,
arabesque,
aerobics,
and various specific exercises for the bottom.
Power lifting
exercises which are known to significantly strengthen the gluteal
muscles include the squat
and the dead lift.
Another weight
training exercise involving the glutes is the leg
press.
Massage
Gluteal exercise and stretching must be
accompanied by therapeutic massage both in the relaxed muscle condition
and during the neuron firing of muscle flexing and stretching. In order
to properly restore the gluteal muscle group, the first step is to relax
the entire neck, shoulders, arms and back region with massage. Once the
patient's upper body is relaxed, effleurage
(light but thorough stroking with fingers and palms) of the top, middle,
bottom and side portions of the gluteal muscles (entire buttock and top
thigh areas) is used to initiate the gluteal muscle group massage while
the buttocks are in the relaxed condition with the patient lying face
down with the hips slightly elevated, a pillow having been placed under
the pelvis. The purpose of the effleurage is to fire the neurons near
the surface of the muscle group. Attention should also be given to the
gluteal fold, the crease where buttocks meet thighs, as this is a
sensitive area where major muscles are joined.
At least 10 minutes of effleurage
should be used before moving to a deeper muscle massage... but only as
the muscles loosen sufficiently. The top, middle and bottom areas of the
buttocks as well as the tops and all sides of the thighs are massaged
with increasing firmness in order to stimulate the neurons deeply
embedded within the muscle group. Liberal amounts of massage lotion
should be used as this area can require very deep massage as the muscles
loosen and permit it.
Some massage schools reportedly teach
the use of the double handed repetitive "chop" alternating
with slapping of the maximus area. The chop fires the deeply embedded
neurons while the slap fires the surface neurons. If this is done while
the patient is alternately flexing and relaxing, the result is almost
total neuron firing and should be followed up with additional effleurage
to totally relax the muscle group. Obviously communication between
therapist and patient is important at this stage.
Attention should be given to the
gluteal fold with increasing pressure. This being a sensitive area, the
therapist should communicate freely with the patient to determine the
proper amount of pressure needed to relax these muscles. The therapist
can simultaneously use both of his or her thumbs beginning in the middle
where the thighs and buttocks meet, and slowing moving the thumbs
outward and around the tops of the thighs to eventually use the fingers
to massage the fold where thigh meets abdomen (another area where
muscles are joined).
The two massage regimes (effleurage and
deep muscle massage) are then repeated with the gluteal muscle group in
the process of active neuron firing. That is, the areas should be
massaged while the patient is actually performing the various exercises
and stretches outlined above as well as others tailored by the
therapist. It is reported that this results in exterior and interior
neuron firing in such a way that the entire muscle group's shape,
tension and overall health is restored rapidly. A weekly cycle of
massage is required to achieve good results
