Gluteus Minimus Trigger Points

The gluteus minimus is an important muscle in the buttock and there are many gluteus minimus trigger points to treat. This fan-shaped muscle arises from the pelvis and attaches to the femur or the main leg bone. When you stand on one leg the gluteus minimus will contract to balance you.

Where to find Gluteus Minimus Trigger Points

Gluteus Minimus Trigger Points
Gluteus Minimus Trigger Points
Close up of Gluteus Minimus Trigger Points. The overlying gluteus medius and maximus muscles have been cut away

You can find myofascial triggers in the muscle by pressing into the soft tissue of the side of your hip or buttock area. It is best to lie on your side so the overlying gluteus medius muscle is relaxed.

The gluteus minimus plays a vital part of the stabilization of the pelvis. It is used constantly whilst you are standing, walking or doing anything in an upright position. It’s a relatively small and deep posture muscle and is therefore vulnerable to overuse and tension. And this is why it often harbours trigger points.

Gluteus Minimus Pain Referral Patterns

Gluteus Minimus Pain Referral Pattern

There are complex patterns of pain referral from gluteus minimus trigger points. One set of triggers occurs toward the front of the muscle and will refer pain to a thin band down the outside of the leg. This band of soreness may reach right down to the ankle.

Strangely, this band of pain down the leg is not felt over the outside of the knee. Myofascial points occurring further back in the muscle are often felt deep within the buttock and refer in a broad band down the back of the thigh to just below the knee.

These patterns mimic the ache of sciatica. Sciatica is caused by irritation or compression of the nerve exiting the spinal cord and also causes discomfort right down the leg.

Because the pain is in a similar place,  it is common to confuse the two problems. The way to tell between the two causes is this: tingling, numbness, and weakness occur with sciatica, but do not occur with trigger points in the gluteus minimus muscle.

One important point – you can get sciatica and trigger points around gluteus minimus at the same time. In fact, tense muscles caused by the discomfort of sciatica can set off trigger points in this muscle.

Treating Gluteus Minimus Trigger Points

To reach the gluteus minimus press into the area deeply. If you do have triggers in this muscle you will feel tenderness deep in your buttock. This may be localized to the area you pushing or may cause pain down your leg.

To effectively turn off trigger points, use the ischemic pressure technique. However, since gluteus minimus is a deep muscle, and hard to reach, you’re better of using a trigger point tool like a Theracane, rather than your hands.

How to Stretch the Gluteus Minimus

Because the gluteus minimus is a fan-shaped muscle with a broad attachment at the top, you need to stretch both the back and the front.

You do this by lying on a bed, and allowing your top leg to stretch over to your front side (to stretch the back.) And then allow your top leg to stretch out behind you, over the edge of the bed (to stretch the front.)

Stretching the front of Gluteus Minimus
Stretching the back of Gluteus Minimus

More info on Treating Gluteus Minimus Triggers

If you want to find out more about treating trigger points, just click the link below. You’ll get a free information pack and join a free email course on trigger point releases and pain relief techniques.

gluteus-minimus-trigger-points

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(27) comments

sidharth October 8, 2011

hello dr..
just been through the news letter regarding trigger points in calf and glutie. found very informative. thank you.

Reply
lynda hodgetts October 31, 2011

Hi i have a lot of pain in my glute muscles,neck,shoulders to the point i have been reffered to a pain clinic i have tried all other specialist but have been told i have to live with it and learn to cope with the pain but in reading your articles it seems fixable,the chiripractor .oesteopath.acupunsture, physio could only do so much but it would go away my question is does stress play a big part in my pain or menopause i am a t present on pain relief forever it so unfair but you have given me a little bit of hope. Thank you

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amir April 17, 2013

have pain in my gluteus minimus so i become trendelenburg gait.be cause of my l5 disc,but i have too pain

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Thelma January 12, 2014

I’m extremely impressed with your writing skills and also with the layout
on your blog. Is this a paid theme or did you modify
it yourself? Either way keep up the nice quality writing,
it is rare to see a nice blog like this one these days.

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Ander February 5, 2014

Got persistent Glute trigger points, that come on strong when I’ve been running. Very interesting reading.
Thanks

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Yvonne June 15, 2014

hip pain , butt pain, and pain. Can’t sleep.

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    Yvonne June 15, 2014

    Also thigh pain.

    Reply
Peggy Hornsby June 22, 2014

I have used a store bought tens unit on triggers in buttock and been amazed at temporary relief. Have you heard of that before? Thank you!

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pieranna June 29, 2014

Very very interesting! This is new for me as well as the ChiWalking. Two new things which I feel can help me a lot!

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pieranna June 29, 2014

Thank you!!

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selin July 24, 2014

am 23 and hav been suffering from sciatica and both u mentioned above… i was into a lot of sports in high school and junior college volley ball football and dicus ,javelin cycling and stuff.. and a small minor injury in my tail bone as a child i slipped on the staircase and fell rite on my buttocks…one day all of a sudden during a futbal game i felt a sprain in my buttock muscle and then it kept worseing each day .. for the past 5 yer and still today i am in pain.. i heard oly food and exercises r the key to cure it.. i have started doin yoga excersises gives me a little relief ……. i hav tired all the types of docs ..i don wana go for english meds ever again.. i hav taken a lot of painkillers for 5 yrs and all too…plz help me out

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Roberta Salvo August 22, 2014

I would like a free information pack.

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Linda December 12, 2014

Thanks for the article.

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Mike Etzkorn February 7, 2015

I have a chronic pain down my leg when I stand

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Kerry June 7, 2015

Pain in buttocks, pain down outer thigh, pain down outer calf

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Sherri June 23, 2015

any info on how to strengthen the minimus so the triggers will cease to occur is also helpful.

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Pam August August 26, 2015

These therapies are for my mom.

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paula marnitz November 14, 2015

I am a 57 year old femaie runner and have been diagnosed with Gluteous Minimus syndrome. Hip pain…….pain in thin band muscle and calf muscle. Please send me your email and any advice possible.
Thank you

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KL Johnson November 21, 2015

Would love help on gluteal trigger points as well as any shoulder and neck!

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Melinda A. December 11, 2015

Need help with treatment, I have had physical therapy several different times but always treated for problems related to glutal minmius, but never had the correct area treated. The information I just read will help a lot the next therapy appointment I have.
Thanks

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Angela January 25, 2016

Would love ideas for treatment of this area

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Marsha February 14, 2016

Thank you for your article. I believe your information on treating trigger points in the Gluteus Minimus Muscle will really help.

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Debbi Bermingham February 17, 2016

Please send me your information pack. Constant buttock aim and pain in leg

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Rebecca Flottman March 18, 2016

I am interested in free information pack and join a free email course on trigger point releases and pain relief techniques.

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Danielle May 17, 2016

Very interested in info. I keep straining the muscle over and over but this time has been the worst.

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virgil a June 18, 2016

Extremely interested in free email course, if any, or some knowledge in trigger point releases and some pain relief techniques. Whatever course of action would really help to assist in alleviating pain possibly originating from spinal stenosis or age-related condition

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