If you’re a fitness enthusiast, athlete, or someone who spends long hours sitting (like working at an office), you may have encountered issues with your gluteus medius muscle. This often-overlooked muscle plays a crucial role in hip stability, walking, and other athletic movements.
When problems arise with the gluteus medius, it can cause pain, weakness, and sometimes reduced mobility that significantly impacts your daily life and athletic performance. The good news is, that acupuncture offers a promising solution for addressing gluteus medius issues and restoring optimal hip function.
Acupuncture can help alleviate pain, reduce inflammation, improve muscle functions, and promote healing in the gluteus medius. By targeting specific points, acupuncture stimulates the body’s natural healing process, providing both immediate relief and long-term benefits for those struggling.
What is gluteus medius
The gluteus medius is one of three gluteal muscles that make up the buttocks. Located on the outer surface of the pelvis area, it plays a key role in the movement of our lower body.
This includes moving the leg away from the body’s midline, also known as hip abduction. It is also critical for rotating the hip (turning the leg inward and outward), pelvic stability, and gair assistance (stabilizing the pelvis and hip during running and walking).
Common problems:
- Gluteus medius tendinopathy: Inflammation or muscle degeneration of the tendon attaching the muscle to the bone.
- Gluteus medius muscle tears: Partial or complete ruptures of the muscle fibers.
- Trochanteric bursitis: Inflammation of the bursa (fluid-filled sac) near the gluteus medius attachment.
- Trigger points: Tight knots in the muscle that cause pain and dysfunction.
Symptoms to look out for:
- Difficulty walking
- A noticeable limp
- Pain on the outer hip or buttock
- Pain that worsens with prolonged standing or sitting
- Weakness when moving the leg outward
- Discomfort when climbing stairs or getting up from a seated position
Causes of gluteus medius:
- Repetitive strain/stress or overuse – this is common in cyclists, dancers, and runners
- Direct trauma from an impact or fall onto the hip
- Muscular imbalance and weakness in the surrounding muscles
- Prolonged sitting or standing with poor posture/improper alignment
- Natural wear and tear – as we get older our muscles and tendons face age-related degeneration
Acupuncture reduces pain
One of the primary benefits of acupuncture is the ability to reduce pain. When treating gluteus medius issues, acupuncture stimulates the release of endorphins, the body’s natural painkillers. These endorphins interact with opioid receptors located in the brain and spinal cord, effectively blocking pain signals and providing much-needed pain relief.
Acupuncture can also modulate pain perception by influencing the activity of pain-processing regions in the brain. This dual action on both the peripheral and central nervous system (CNS) makes acupuncture a powerful healing method for managing the discomfort associated with gluteus medius.
Acupuncture can reduce inflammation
Many sufferers with gluteus medius will encounter inflammation. Acupuncture has been shown to have anti-inflammatory effects.
When our practitioners insert acupuncture needles at specific points, it triggers the release of anti-inflammatory molecules and modulates the activity of immune cells involved in the inflammatory response.
This reduction in inflammation not only helps alleviate pain but also creates a more favorable environment for healing. As the swelling decreases, pressure on the surrounding tissues is reduced, allowing for improved blood flow and nutrient delivery to the affected area.
Acupuncture improves circulation
Proper blood flow is essential for healing and maintaining healthy muscle tissue. Acupuncture enhances local circulation by causing small, controlled “micro-traumas” at the needle insertion sites. This stimulates the body to increase blood flow to these areas, bringing a flush of oxygen, nutrients, and healing to the gluteus medius muscle and surrounding tissues.
Improved circulation also helps remove metabolic waste products and inflammatory substances from the area, further supporting the healing process.
For those suffering from chronic gluteus medius issues, improved blood flow can be particularly beneficial in promoting long-term tissue repair and regeneration.
Acupuncture can relax muscles & relieve muscle tension
Gluteus medius problems often lead to muscle tension and the formation of trigger points. These areas of tension can worsen pain and restrict movement. Acupuncture is highly effective at releasing muscle tension and deactivating trigger points.
When our trained practitioners insert needles into tight muscle bands or trigger points, it often ignites a local twitch response. This involuntary contraction is followed by relaxation of the muscle fibers, providing immediate relief from tension.
Acupuncture additionally helps to improve flexibility and function.
Acupuncture stimulates sensory receptors
If you experience long-term gluteus medius dysfunction, the nervous system can develop poor movement patterns. Acupuncture can stimulate proprioceptors (sensory receptors) within the muscle and surrounding tissues. Patients who incorporate acupuncture into their treatment plan often experience improved muscle strength and better control over hip movements.
Acupuncture promotes tissue repair
It is crucial to support tissue repair when a gluteus medius tear occurs. Acupuncture has been shown to stimulate the production of growth factors and stem cells, both of which are essential for tissue regeneration. By enhancing these natural healing processes, acupuncture can help accelerate recovery and promote faster healing.
Book with us today
Gluteus medius problems can significantly impact your quality of life, affecting everything from daily activities to athletic performance. Acupuncture offers a natural, more holistic approach to addressing pain relief, improving muscle function, reducing inflammation, and supporting the body’s healing process.
Don’t let gluteus medius problems hold you back from the activities you love. The experienced practitioners at Lycoming Orthopedic & Sports Acupuncture are ready to help you on your journey to hip health and pain-free movement.
Contact our office today to schedule your initial consultation and take the first steps toward overcoming your gluteus medius issues. With our personalized approach and expertise in sports acupuncture, we’re committed to helping you achieve long-lasting relief and improved function.
