Gluteal Techniques

[Miss LONDON Suspended.]

hi guys,

Im new to the forum and was wondering if anyone coud advise me on the best method to treat incredibly tight glutes. Im newly qualififed and I have a client and the lightest touch in that area sends her crazy! So far Ive just done some very light thumb rolling and stretching but I think she needs more extensive work and Im not sure the best way forward!

Thanks loads

Anna

 

[Gazelle]

Hi Anna,

I'd recommend you invest in a copy of Basic Clinical Massage Therapy- Integrating Anatomy & Treatment by James H. Clay. You can find it on Amazon. I'm sure there are similar books which are just as good but this is the one I bought when I first qualified in massage.

It works through the body in parts, ie Head, Neck, Shoulders, Arms, and has pictures of muscles overlayed onto a photo, with additional techniques such as myofascial release and stripping.

I hope I haven't insulted your level of knowledge, but I trained as a Physiotherapist before becoming a Comp therapist and this book was like a bible to me when I first started!

Don't be afraid to use deep pressure-the gluts are big muscles and can take it! I find kneading is great - standing on the contralateral side use the heel of the hand to compress the tissues and roll away from you. The lumbar paraspinals may also be tight as well as other muscle groups in the area, do a good assessment & treat them as well.

Hope this helps!

 

[Benny]

this approach has worked for me...

the belly of the muscle is generally where the clients really jump so you need to prepare the muscles before they'll allow you in. start by working the superficial layers using broad surface areas like the forearm or heel of the palm. this warms up the gluteals and acclimatises the client to your touch. work really lightly at first but with pace. as each layer gives, sink further in. plan on spending a while doing this. the more you prepare the muscle, the less sensitivity your client will experience. then clean off the attachments around the iliac crest, sacrum and the greater trochanter using more targeted tools like reinforced thumb and finger chisel. work really slowly - almost like myofascial release. let the attachments melt. then hopefully by this stage some deeper work into the belly of the muscles will be tolerable for the client. use soft fist (or even the flat part of the elbow). finish by combining pin & stretch with muscle energy technique to lengthen and then set the muscles.

x

henry

 

[Lauren*]

Just wanted to thank you for posting details of that amazing book; it seemed to be what I needed & I liked what I read on Amazon - needless to say I ordered it and i am REALLY pleased with it...as you say, one to become a bible!!!

Thanks!

HB x