New Year’s (Therapy) Resolutions.
December 21, 2007 – 11:21 amWhen walking or running try activating the ipsilateral gluteus maximus muscle on heel strike. Squeeze it hard with each step!
This simple muscle activation tip will do wonders for restoring foot, lower limb and pelvic balance.
Try it first for a week (works best at first barefooted or with non-suported shoes). What do you feel happening in the rest of your body as a result of this simple muscle activation cue? What are your knees doing? Do you feel a change in positioning of your pelvis in the sagittal plane as you walk? Erik
7 Responses to “New Year’s (Therapy) Resolutions.”
This seems to work really well to help athletes get away from repetitive hamstring and adductor magnus strains too. I feel it may help runners move faster as well when coupled with psoas and rectus femoris flexibility work.
Speaking of that, I can’t wait to work with Mattes and you in Costa Rica this May!!
What is the focus of the work you will be presenting this year? And Mattes if you could speak to that?
Thank you Erik-
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By geo on Jan 2, 2008
Hello! And Happy New Year! I’ve just discovered Dr. Dalton’s work and was thrilled to find this blog and the wonderful exchange of ideas. I wish I had more to add than just introducing myself as new to this community, but after 20 years of being the best in my (local) field, I’m astounded and humbled by the depth of knowledge here. I don’t feel qualified to contribute yet, but know that I’m out here, in awe, and soaking it all up! Thanks, all!
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Erik Dalton reply on January 24, 2008:
Hey Michelle…thanks for the kind words..glad you can participate. Everyone has something to contribute on this blog.
Tell me of a favorite technique you have success with or the type of bodywork that has infuenced your passion for the work…or anything else you want to gab about.
I’m on a tight time-line right now. In three weeks we begin shooting the new Advanced Low Back, Pelvis and Leg 3-DVD series. Have been procrastinating for several years but am really inspired by the addition of this Spinal Engine stuff.
Bottom Line…I may not be able to blog much for the nest three weeks but don’t think I have forgotten about you…thanks again to all…ERIK
By Michelle on Jan 4, 2008
Starting to experiment with it… I find it chalanging not to tuck my tail under when squeezing the gluteus
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By Amir on Jan 17, 2008
Amir..my man
Tucking the tail helps strengthen the pelvic floor muscles…particularly the levator ani complex…so that’s a good thing.
By contracting the ipsilateral glute on heel strike it not only dorsi-flexes the foot, but pulls up typically weak arches via the peroneus longus, tibilias anterior and tibilias posterior’s fascial sling system.
This is a little complex but I’ll try a brief ‘fly-by’ on the biomechanics during left heel strike.
Our cross-patterned walk dictates that the torso must left-rotate while the pelvis counter rotates right during left heel strike (try it).
Gluteal contraction enhances this cross-patterned gait by tightening weak butt muscles. This causes more kinetic energy to be stored as they resist contralateral latissimus pull (as the right shoulder goes forward).
By contracting the ipsilateral glute max,the foot dorsiflexes causing a firmer heel strike with the ground. Thus, more energy moves up the kinetic chain causing greater rotary torque in the lumbar facets and annular disc fibers.
Now that the lat/glute sling is in a very tense state, the added heel pressure digs deep into the osteoligamentous system and compresses the discs causing a rotary force which counter-rotates the pelvis.
Fryette’s first Law of Spinal Motion says that in the presence of a normal lumbar lordosis, lumbar vertebrae will rotate and sidebend to opposite sides. Since there is reciprocal motion at L5 and the sacrum, the pelvis will rotate the opposite direction of the lumbars thus storing energy to be released in a strong pulse that propels the legs during gait.
Please read my new article entitled “Don’t Get Married” at http://erikdalton.com/article_DontGetMarried.htm for a better overview of this fascinating subject.
Talk to you soon…gotta get my new videos done so I may not be in touch for a couple weeks>>>thanks…ERIK
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By Erik Dalton on Jan 24, 2008
Just read your article: Don’t Get Married-Part 1
For 13 years I have been measuring chiropractic x-ray film basing part of the assessment on Lovett’s reciprocal movement and the last 4 years using Paul StJohn’s revision.
I agree completely with your article.
One important observation that was not addressed in the article is the counter brace of the psoas minor stabilizing the pelvis on the opposite side of the leg being lifted. We find many cases where gait and musculoskeletal problems have originated from childhood injury to T9 through L1 particularly T11/12. If the loss is to enervation of psoas minor bilaterally then anterior pelvic tilt results. If unilaterally then uneven gate results. This also appears to be the starting point for mylen damage in two of my MS clients.
The best solution I have found for this is to start the client supine with legs on a body ball. from there I can direct them to unloaded gait movements that restore function to the psoas and psoas minor that I call the core of the core.
I hope this is helpful feedback.
Hans Albert Quistorff, LMP
Antalgic Posture Pain Specialist
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By Hans Albert Quistorff, LMP on Jan 27, 2008
Good observation Hans:
Would like to offer another interesting option discovered by the great Don Tigney concerning psoas de-enervation and resulting compensations.
Regrettably, I’m in the middle of preparing for a video shoot and will not be able to adequately respond to your comments at this time. It’s too bad since this is such an important and seductive biomechanical topic.
Will be back in touch soon. Please hold that thought and thanks for joining in on our discussion>>>ERIK
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By Erik Dalton on Jan 29, 2008