Massage Aha!

Professional therapeutic massage therapy in Kansas City, MO by Aaron Harris, BCTMB

Pricing and Availability are best viewed on my online scheduler below.

Specializing in helping you manage your chronic back pain and medical conditions through the power of massage therapy. Aaron Harris has been a Certified and Licensed Massage Therapist (CMT) (LMT) (CAMTC #44390) (MO #2021007923) and Health Educator since 2012 and has performed thousands of hours of massage. He attended the National Holistic Institute in Emeryville, California. He received National Board Certification in Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork in 2022. Aaron has previous experience in the healthcare industry, including several years as a paramedic in his home state of Missouri. He has extensive knowledge of kinesiology (the study of the mechanics of body movements), injury mechanisms, trauma assessments, anatomy, and physiology.

August 5, 2019
8:52 am

The Gluteus Medius Muscle

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.

Trigger point in the Gluteus Medius muscle. — This trigger point (marked by an X) refers pain (indicated in blue) into the sacrum and low back.

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.

Trigger point in Gluteus Medius — This trigger point (marked by X) refers pain (indicated in blue) into the hip and 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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