The Gluteus Medius is a triangular muscle located at the side of the hip. Part of the muscle lies under the Gluteus Maximus.
This muscle attaches the ilium (hip bone) to the upper head of the femur (thigh bone).
It is responsible for abducting (moving away from the body) the hip. The anterior (front) portion of Gluteus Medius rotates the leg inward.
Trigger Points
There are two common trigger point locations in this muscle and one that occurs less frequently.
The first forms near the sacrum and refers pain into the sacrum.
The second forms in the middle of the muscle and refers pain down in to the side of the hip with some spillover into the thigh.
The least common point forms in the anterior portion and refers pain into the ilium and back into the sacrum.
Massage of the Gluteus Medius Muscle
Deep tissue work is often indicated for trigger points in this muscle.
Clients who have a pronated (internally rotated) leg while walking often develop pain in this particular muscle. A chiropractor can help assess any structural issues in the hip that affect this muscle.
Runners, swimmers, and clients with intense leg workouts can often have tightness and pain in the hip and low back. Gluteus Medius is often the source. Gluteus Medius should be assessed with every complaint of hip and low back pain.
Locating the source of low back pain can be tricky. There are many muscles that stabilize the hips that can be responsible. Gluteus Medius is one of the first muscles that I assess during one of my mobile massage therapy sessions.
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