Issue link: https://www.massageandbodyworkdigital.com/i/68185
VIEW THE DIGITAL EDITION AT MASSAGEANDBODYWORK.COM TO SEE A VIDEO CLIP DEMONSTRATING THIS TECHNIQUE. sartorius, and several hip adductors to anchor the pelvis anteriorly over the fixed leg. Anterior tension created by these muscles balances the posterior pull of gluteus maximus and semimembranosis, semitendinosis, and biceps femoris (hamstring group). Because iliacus originates on the ilium rather than the lumbar spine, it does not have a direct effect on spinal posture. However, a shortened iliacus creates anterior pelvic tilt and indirectly perpetuates excessive lumbar lordosis. This anteriorly curving posture is a common result of prolonged sitting or driving. Frequent position changes, stretches that extend the hip, and movements like walking may prevent excessive shortening in this area. PALPATING ILIACUS Positioning: client supine with hip and knee flexed 1. Standing at the client's side, facing the abdomen, locate the anterior iliac crest with your fingertips. Use both hands. 2. Slide your fingertips inferiorly, medially, and deep along the anterior surface of the ilium. (Caution: the abdominal organs are located in this region, so be sure and palpate from lateral to medial, scooping behind the intestines to avoid painful compression of these organs). 3. Allow your fingers to gently sink onto the fan-shaped fibers of iliacus. 4. Client gently flexes the hip against your resistance to assure proper location. therapist, certified athletic trainer, and certified strength and conditioning specialist. Her private practice focuses on injury treatment, biomechanical analysis, craniosacral therapy, and massage for clients with neurological issues. She is the author of Functional Anatomy: Kinesiology and Palpation for Manual Therapists (Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, 2009). Contact her at functionalbook@hotmail.com. Christy Cael is a licensed massage Client Homework— Standing Hip Flexor Stretch 1. Stand up straight with your feet shoulder-width apart. 2. Using a counter or stable chair to maintain balance, bend your right knee, raising your right foot toward your buttock. 3. Grasp the right ankle with your right hand as you point the knee down toward the floor. 4. Direct your effort toward extending the right hip as you engage the abdominals and maintain a straight back. 5. Take several deep breaths, relaxing into the position and lengthening the hip flexors. 6. Repeat with the left leg. Editor's Note: The Client Homework element in Functional Anatomy is intended as a take-home resource for clients experiencing issues with the profiled muscle. The stretches identified in Functional Anatomy should not be performed within massage sessions or progressed by massage therapists, in order to comply with state laws and maintain scope of practice. 86 massage & bodywork september/october 2010