Symptoms

Pain is typically felt in the lower back and can mimic bursitis of the hip, with pain experienced at the site of the coccygeal bone and of the gluteal crease.

We also note that the glutes can tend to get overlooked by some therapists, understandably, as this is a sensitive area to treat.

When clients appear in our clinics with lower back pain, we almost always check for trigger points in gluteus maximus.

Once you deal with the sensitivity of treating this area (with careful and detailed explanation to the client) trigger points in the glutes are actually quite simple to identify and treat.

As with all large muscles, these trigger points can take a while to release. 

Ask your therapist about trigger points.

Gluteus Maximus - Common Pain Map

Self Help

Here's a stretch that we often recommend for these muscles:

Technique

Lie on a bench on your side. Allow the top leg to fall forward and off the side of the bench.

Try not to let your leg fall too far forward and use the weight of your leg to do the stretching for you.

Muscles Being Stretched

Primary muscles: Tensor fasciae latae. Gluteus medius and mininus.
Secondary muscles: Sartorius. Gluteus maximus.

Injuries Where This Might Be Useful

Trochanteric bursitis. Iliotibial band syndrome.

Links

Find a Trigger Point Professional in your area

More Articles About ITB Syndrome

More Articles About Knee Pain

More Articles About Hip Injuries and Treatment

Online Hip Course - Stuart Hinds

Dry Needling for Trigger Points

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Established in the United Kingdom in 1999, we provide course and distance learning material for therapists and other healthcare professionals in over 40 countries.

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Since 1999 Niel Asher Education has won numerous awards for education and in particular for education and services provided in the field of trigger point therapy.

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Niel Asher Healthcare course instructors have won a host of prestigious awards including 2 lifetime achievement honorees - Stuart Hinds, Lifetime Achievement Honoree, AAMT, 2015, and Dr. Jonathan Kuttner, MD, Lifetime Achievement Honoree, NAMTPT, 2014.

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If you are a qualified/licensed manual therapist or exercise/fitness professional you can expand your credentials with NAT certification.

In addition to national accreditation for continued education, each course that we offer includes "NAT Learning Credits". By taking and completing courses you can accumulate NAT credits to qualify for NAT certification.

There are currently 3 levels of NAT certification. Certifying NAT is a valuable way to show your clients that you take continued education seriously, and to promote your skills and qualifications.

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Niel Asher Technique

Since 1999 the Niel Asher Technique for treating trigger points has been adopted by over 100,000 therapists worldwide, and has been applied to the treatment of a number of common musculoskeletal injuries.

The Niel Asher Technique for treating frozen shoulder was first introduced and published in 1997 and has been widely adopted by therapists and exercise professionals working within elite sports and athletics.

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This trigger point therapy blog is intended to be used for information purposes only and is not intended to be used for medical diagnosis or treatment or to substitute for a medical diagnosis and/or treatment rendered or prescribed by a physician or competent healthcare professional. This information is designed as educational material, but should not be taken as a recommendation for treatment of any particular person or patient. Always consult your physician if you think you need treatment or if you feel unwell.