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G Muscle Energy Techniques for the Glutes By John Gibbons ASSESSMENT OF THE ADDUCTORS—HIP ABDUCTION TEST To test the left side, the client adopts a supine position on the table. The therapist takes hold of the client's left leg and passively abducts the hip while palpating the adductors with his right hand (Image 1). When the therapist feels a bind, the position is noted; the normal range of motion (ROM) for passive abduction is 45 degrees. If the range is less than this, a tight left adductor group is indicated. However, there is an exception to the rule. If the ROM is less than 45 degrees, it could be that the medial hamstrings are restricting the movement of passive abduction. To differentiate between the short adductors and the medial hamstrings, the knee is flexed to 90 degrees (Image 2); if the range now increases, this indicates shortness in the medial hamstrings. To identify if the hamstrings are the restrictive factor, the therapist passively flexes the knee and then continues with the passive abduction, as shown in Image 2. If the ROM improves, the hamstrings are the restrictive tissues and not the short adductors. MET TREATMENT OF THE ADDUCTORS One of the most effective ways of lengthening the adductors (short) is to utilize a muscle energy technique (MET) from the position that is demonstrated in Image 3. The client adopts a supine position with his knees bent and heels together; the hips are slowly and passively taken into abduction by the therapist until a bind is felt in the adductors. From the position of bind, the client is asked to adduct his hips against a resistance applied by the therapist so as to contract the short adductors. After a 10-second contraction, and on the relaxation phase, the hips are passively taken into further abduction by the therapist (Image 4). The therapist abducts and palpates the adductors for bind. The client adducts his legs against resistance from the therapist. The knee is bent to isolate the short adductors. 1 3 2