Issue link: https://www.massageandbodyworkdigital.com/i/530196
an oblique angle to free "stickiness" between the deeper layers so the gluteus maximus can easily slide over the rotators, gluteus medius, and gluteus minimus with a shearing motion. Although this is most easily accomplished by actually grabbing skin and deeper tissue directly, you can also work through a drape or through a client's underclothes. Keep your fingers relaxed and soft while keeping your entire palms in contact with the surface and applying the majority of your force by pushing with the heel of your hand, rather than pinching with the fingers. Grab and lift portions of the gluteus maximus and feel for restrictions between it and deeper layers, taking care not to venture too far toward the gluteal cleft; then, lift and push in all directions, including a circular motion (Image 1, page 67). The move may look a bit unusual, but try it on friends for practice; you will find that most clients will not have experienced this technique and often comment on how good it feels. Move slowly rather than bouncing; when you reach the end range of restriction, wait for the melt. Another goal should be to soften, lengthen, and release adhesions at the attachment of the gluteus maximus to the iliotibial band. Use precise force with fingers or knuckles to follow the fibrous attachment at each anterior and posterior border (Image 2, page 67) and visualize that you are allowing the attachment to roll from adjacent and deeper tissue so it is free to adjust to different joint positions during flexion/extension and rotation. At Work—The Gluteus Medius and Gluteus Minimus These muscles are often overlooked when addressing pelvic balance, hip pain, and rotational concerns. Their attachments at the upper ilium blend with the quadratus lumborum, gluteus maximus, and latissimus dorsi and influence the body from above the pelvis down to the trochanter. The primary skill here is to work through the superficial tissue for focused work on insertions and muscle bellies, paying attention to the fiber direction to lengthen, but also roll from side to side. While work with the client in a neutral leg position is fine, it is often an added benefit for release and lengthening to work from different positioning of the femur. Bringing the leg up into this position (Image 3, page 67) shortens and softens these muscles into abduction while at the same time internally rotating the femur. Use any tool you want—from precise finger or knuckle work to broad forearm or elbow work. This is a good position to just hang out, with steady pressure, and wait for the melt. Functionally, the gluteus medius and gluteus minimus are important abductors of the femur, with the previously mentioned crucial role in pelvic stabilization during gait. Depending on hip flexion or extension, these muscles also are involved with both active movement and stabilization of hip rotation. Since they are internal rotators, positioning the leg into strong external rotation places these muscles into a nice stretch for release. Notice in Image 4 (page 67) that the torso and pelvic girdle are side-bent to the right; this is essentially placing the leg into adduction (and is also an effective way to release the quadratus lumborum), further stretching these abductor muscles to lengthen and release. At Work—The Rotators Excellent posterior pelvic work should always address the deep rotators and requires the skill of sinking directly through the gluteus maximus, for precision of force, directly on whichever muscle you are addressing. To save your own body and for your clients' comfort, do not use too broad a tool, because that will require too much THE FORGOT TEN MUSCLES F r e e S O A P n o t e s w i t h M a s s a g e B o o k f o r A B M P m e m b e r s : a b m p . u s / M a s s a g e b o o k 69 pressure to sink through superficial layers; fingers, knuckles, and a relatively precise elbow are your best options. I usually refrain from hard and fast rules, but I do feel the problems with external rotators are almost always caused by short and fibrous muscles that need to be coaxed (not intimidated) to relax and lengthen. So, it seems a good idea to work from a medial origin to the distal insertion on the trochanter to allow the muscles to release. Learn the medial origin of all rotators, with special attention to the piriformis' attachment midway up the medial border of the sacrum. Use caution to not apply force too vertically; this not only can cause discomfort to your client, but can compress and irritate the sciatic nerve against the pelvis, especially as it surfaces below the piriformis. Using the leg as a lever is an excellent way to both assess rotational restrictions and to place the rotators into a stretch to offer a release and lengthening. Your clients will also know how effective your work is as they can easily feel the leg loosening into internal rotation. Of course, you will always check with them for knee stability, but a right angle at the knee is quite stable and safe. I do like to have my hand on the knee itself to provide support and have the client feel safe as I use the lower leg as a rotational lever. Be precise in focusing your intention through the gluteus muscles to the rotators. Moving the foot out to move the femur into internal rotation stretches all the external rotators. Gently sink through the gluteus maximus and "grab" the individual rotator where you feel short and fibrous tissue with your elbow or knuckle (Image 5, page 67). Gently exert pressure to further rotate the femur while exerting force with your elbow—from a proximal to distal direction—and wait for the