Levator Scapula The Levator Scapulae works in close cohesion with the upper fibres of the trapezius. This muscle can be placed under tension or stress when performing actions such as ‘cradling’ a phone handset on one shoulder. It is often...
Scalenes The Scalenes muscle group is made up of three muscles; Anterior Scalene, Middle Scalene & Posterior Scalene. Due to the anatomical location of these muscles, tightness (hyper-contraction) within can contribute to tension headaches...
Masseter The primary action of the Masseter is elevation of the mandible (closing of the mouth) and is therefore one of the main muscles active during ‘chewing’ of food. Because of the leverage it develops on the mandible, it is considered as one...
Soleus The main action of the Soleus is to plantar flex the ankle, however it is also sometimes referred to as the heart of the lower limbs for its action of forcing blood ‘venous pump’ against gravity back up towards the heart when the muscle...
Gastrocnemius The Gastrocnemius is the large ‘twin headed’ muscle on the posterior of each leg, directly below the knee, helping to stabilize the ankle and knee when standing. The tendon fibres of the gastrocnemius, soleus and plantaris blend...
Tibialis Anterior The Tibialis Anterior is the muscle primarily responsible for dorsiflexion (upwards movement) of the foot. Where this muscle originates and attaches to the tibia is the region where tibialis anterior syndrome ‘shin splints’ are...
Adductor Muscles Group The five muscles that make up the adductor group are; Adductor Longus, Adductor Brevis, Adductor Magnus, Pectineus and Gracilis. Although all of the five adductor muscles have the primary action of adduction of the hip, due...
Vastus Medialis The Vastus Medialis is the most medial muscle of the quadriceps group. It is also often referred to as the Vastus Medialis Oblique (VMO) due to the oblique direction that the distal muscle fibres run near the patella. These...
Vastus Lateralis The Vastus Lateralis is the largest and most lateral muscle of the quadriceps group. Its muscle body lays directly beneath the ITB (iliotibial band) and the combined fibres of the two fan out to form the lateral patella...
Tensor Fasciae Latae The Tensor Fasciae Latae (TFL) is the main muscle involved in contraction of the iliotibial band (ITB). Along with the gluteus maximus, it is one of only two muscles that insert into the ITB. Therefore, people who suffer from...
Pectoralis Minor The Pectoralis Minor is considered an accessory muscle to respiration. Desk workers often suffer an over-contracture or heavy tightness of this muscle which can result in a postural condition known as ‘rounded shoulders’. This...
Trapezius The Trapezius is the broad flat superficial muscle that spreads across the neck, shoulders and upper back. Each side of the spine, it is clinically divided into upper fibres, middle fibres and lower fibres. This muscle is commonly...