Muscle Origin & Insertion Worksheet

To the Mount Royal University Arthrology class, here is a simple spreadsheet that makes studying the muscles a little easier: Muscle Worksheet

Massage Therapists benefit from knowing the Origin, Insertion and Action of the major muscles.

Hand Stretch

Hands can cramp when overworked and tired. Our hands are our tools. They're constantly working. In roping cattle, many throws are directed by the hand's position on release. Keep hands and limber enough to completely open your palm and stretch out your fingers when you need to.

FLAT HAND STRETCH: Place both hands on a table or any flat surface. Press evenly through your palms and feel the pull through the length of each finger as you stretch them out. Do not bend your wrist past 90 degrees. Just focus on flattening the knuckles evenly into the table.

Dupeytren's Contracture

Stretch to avoid or slow scar tissue forming in the hands which will severely limit use of the hand. Dupeytren's Contracture is a disease where the membranes in the palm slowly contract, pull the fingers closed making it difficult to completely open the hand.

Surgery is the final treatment, but still not the cure since it usually returns calling for repeat surgery. Therefore self treatment is crucial to maintaining the heath and use of your hand. Stretch and myofascial massage are excellent self care techniques.

Roping Stretch: 4. Tricep Stretch

Finally stretch deeper into your shoulder by letting one hand fall down your back by bending the elbow. Then add gentle traction either with the opposite hand on the elbow or by using a rope to pull the forearm down. Repeat with the opposite arm. This opens the shoulder even further by stretching the triceps and latissimus dorsi muscles.

Stretch only as far as you can feel slight discomfort but no pain. Don’t force it and don’t bounce. Hold each stretch for 3 – 5 slow breaths. Repeat 3 times every day and you’ll see fast improvements. With looser muscles and greater range of motion, you’ll notice easier swings and longer throws. You’ll be able to rope more often with less soreness.

Roping Stretch: 3. Overhead Stretch

Next keeping the arms extended, raise your arms above your head. This allows your should blade to move outward. You should feel it at the back of your armpit.

Roping Stretch: 2. Arm Extension

Then interlace your fingers and stretch your arms straight out in front of you, opening the palms as much as you can. You should feel a stretch from your shoulders through your arms to your hands.

Roping Stretches: 1. Prayer Stretch

Keep shoulders and arms flexible with these simple and inconspicuous stretches that can be done anywhere. 1) Start by placing the palms of your hands together as if you’re praying. Press evenly through the palms and the length of each finger. Arms should be at a 90 degree angle from your hands. This stretches your forearm muscles, the palm of your hands and fingers.