What is Your Gluteus Minimus?
All of these are symptoms of a tight gluteus minimus muscle. As the name implies, its a very small muscle with very large consequences. It is what is called a “prime mover” of the hip joint as well as a hip joint stabilizer. Its main function is to abduct, or move the leg away from the midline of the body. Think of doing jumping jacks. When the legs are apart that’s abduction.
While jumping jacks or martial arts side kicks are extreme examples of the every day motion of abduction there are more subtle examples. Take for instance kicking a door shut because your hands are full of groceries, or, side stepping on the side walk to avoid bumping into someone. These are everyday examples of how you use your gluteus minimus to help you through your daily routine.
However, as was stated earlier, the minimus is small but very important. Like all muscles and tendons it can be strained because of repetitive use and become very tight and very painful, causing all sorts of discomfort. The most insidious example of overuse comes by way of the constant abduction of the hip joint that occurs when someone has to repeatedly get up from their office chair. This is compounded when you only have one way into your work station and thus, one way out.
While it may be a very small, even insignificant movement when done infrequently, its a whole ‘nother thing when its done over and over and over again through out your day. If you are one of those unfortunates that is shackled to a desk that has a wall (or other obstruction) on one side that forces you to swivel to the other side day in and day out…watch out. You may be in for a little back and hip pain.
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