October 2025

 

 

                     

                   Gluteus Medius

 

 

 

 

 

Location and Appearance

• Location: Situated on the upper and lateral (outer) part of the buttock, beneath the gluteus maximus muscle

• Shape: Broad and fan-shaped, narrowing to a strong, flattened tendon.                                                                               

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• Functions

• Primary Hip Abductor: Its main function is to move the thigh away from the midline of the body. 

• Pelvic Stabilizer: Crucial for stabilizing the pelvis and keeping the trunk upright during activities like walking, running, and standing on one leg. It counteracts the tendency of the unsupported side of the pelvis to sag downwards. 

• Rotational Movements: The anterior (front) part of the muscle assists with internal (medial) rotation of the thigh, while the posterior (back) fibers contribute to external (lateral) rotation. 

  Balance and Stability: 

• Weakness or dysfunction of the gluteus medius can lead to instability and balance issues, particularly during single-leg stances. 

• Low Back Pain:  Dysfunction of the gluteus medius has been linked to an increased spinal load and reduced spinal stability, potentially contributing to low back pain. 

• Hip Pain: Overuse or strain of the gluteus medius tendon can cause inflammation and pain on the outside of the hip. 

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• Neurokinetic Therapy (NKT) Significance

• Overactive or Inhibition of the Gluteus Medius can change position of the femur bone in the knee and lead to knee dysfunction and pain and can lead to flat feet or high arches

• see clinical importance

• With NKT assessment check the Gluteus Medius to other Glute muscles, hip adductor muscles, Quadratus Lumborum

• Muscle of the Month​

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​​​September 2025

 

 

                                 Upper Trapezius

 

 

 

Origin:

base of skull, occipital protuberance, and posterior ligaments of neck

 

Insertion:

posterior aspect of the lateral third of the clavicle

 

Action:

elevation of the scapula; extension and rotation of the head at the neck; Bilateral contraction: extends neck

 

Function:

-assist in mainly postural attributes, allowing and supporting the spinal column to remain erect when the person is standing

-coordinated movements, primarily involving the scapula

 

Clinical Significance:

-The upper trapezius has a clear pain referral pattern to the head

-Trigger Points- refer pain to base of neck and also into the head

-Postural Issues- rounded shoulders, elevated shoulders

 

 

March 2025

 

​               Tibialis Anterior​​

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• Originates on the lateral condyle of the tibia 

• Runs down the front of the shin 

• Ends in a tendon that attaches to the medial cuneiform and first metatarsal bones of the foot 

 

Function

Dorsiflexes and inverts the foot, Helps maintain an upright posture, and Absorbs energy when walking. 

 

Pain and problems

• Pain along the tibialis anterior muscle is often called shin splints 

• Shin splints can be caused by small tears in the periosteum 

• Tendonitis can occur due to repetitive motions, such as running or jumping 

 

FEBRUARY 2025

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                       Gluteus Maximus

 

 

 

Origin

• Outer slope of the dorsal segment of the iliac crest

• Gluteal surface of ilium (behind posterior gluteal line)

• Dorsal surface of lower part of the sacrum

• Side of coccyx

• Sacrotuberous ligament

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Insertion

• Gluteal tuberosity or crest

• Iliotibial tract

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Function

• Chief extensor of the hip

• Essential for maintaining an erect posture

• Lateral rotation of the hip

• Abduction of the hip

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Clinical Significance

• It plays an important role in optimal functioning of the human movement system as well as athletic performance because it is one part of the Posterior Oblique functional line system with Thoracolumbar Fascia and Latissimus Dorsi (Lats)

• Helps stabilize the Sacroiliac (SI) and the Hip joints - If the Glute Max (GM) is under performing the SI joint may lock up due to lack of support from the GM.

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January 2025

 

                             

 

                              Pectoralis Minor

 

 

 

Origin:  Pectoralis minor muscle arises from the upper margins and outer surfaces of the 3rd, 4th, and 5th ribs near their costal cartilages, and from the aponeuroses covering the intercostalis

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Insertion:  Its tendon inserts onto the medial border and upper surface of the coracoid process of the scapula

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Function

-The pectoralis minor muscle helps with pushing, lifting, and stabilizing the shoulders and arms.

-It also depresses the shoulder point, drawing the scapula towards the thorax. 

 

Clinical Significance

-The pectoralis minor muscle is a surgical landmark because of the structures that lie below it. The nerves and blood supply to the upper limb run deep to the pectoralis minor muscle.

-When the nerves of the Brachial Plexus get pinched you feel a numbness and/or tingle in your hands and fingers

-Posture can cause the Pec Minor to tighten and then impinge nerves and Blood Vessels to the hand

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​​OCTOBER 2024

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                          PSOAS

 

 

 

Origin:  Transverse processes of T12–L4 and the lateral aspects of the discs between them                                                           Insertion:  In the lesser trochanter of the femur                                                                                                                                                        Artery:  lumbar branch of iliolumbar artery  

Nerve:  Lumbar plexus via anterior branches of L1–L3 nerves

Actions:  Flexion in the hip joint

 

Tightness of the psoas can result in spasms or lower-back pain by compressing the lumbar discs. A hypertonic and inflamed psoas can lead to irritation and entrapment of the ilioinguinal and the iliohypogastric nerves, resulting in a sensation of heat or water running down the front of the thigh.

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September 2024

 

 

                   Transverse Abdominus (TVA)

 

 

Origin:

-Lateral third of inguinal ligament and associated iliac fascia,

-Anterior two-third of the iliac crest,

-Thoracolumbar fascia

-Inner surface of lower six costal cartilage and their ribs(7-12)

 

Inserts

-Linea alba

-Aponeurosis of internal abdominal oblique muscle

-Pubic crest

-Pectinal line of pubis.

 

Function

This important muscle is responsible for maintaining proper placement of the abdom­inal contents as well as helping support the lower back.

With the other abdominal muscles, TrA helps to:

• Maintain abdominal tension and support abdominal viscera

• Increase intraabdominal pressure that is helpful in forceful expiration, coughing, defecation.

• Support lumbopelvic during our movement, in concert with other core muscles[3].

• Unilateral action: ipsilateral trunk rotation

 

NeuroKinetic Therapy Significance

The TVA is a important intrinsic core muscle that helps stabilize and protect the Lumbar Spine (L/S) during movement. When neurologically inhibited the L/S becomes unsupported and susceptible to injury. Other structures (muscles, joints, ligaments) also compensate and overwork. Overworked structures can lead to tightness, restriction, decreased function, myofascial trigger points, compressed nerves and more).