Muscles
Gluteus minimus
Hip abductor and stabilizer; deepest of the gluteal group.
Overview
Hip abductor and stabilizer; deepest of the gluteal group. Trigger points here are common in everyday and athletic populations and frequently contribute to the referred pain patterns described below.
Trigger point locations
Lateral hip deep to gluteus medius.
Referred pain pattern
Lateral leg from the hip to the foot — the most striking 'sciatica mimic' in the gluteal group.
Palpation & testing
Palpate the muscle belly along its accessible course. Reproduction of the patient's familiar pain on palpation supports involvement.
Common causes
Sustained sitting, single-leg overload, running with poor pelvic control.
Self-care & clinical treatment
Side-lying abduction, gait retraining. Clinically: needling is particularly effective.
Symptoms commonly linked
References
- • Travell & Simons — Myofascial Pain and Dysfunction