Running, jogging and walking are excellent aerobic activities that have numerous beneficial effects on the body. Unfortunately, some times our aches and pains prevent us from getting out there.
Some of us have one leg longer than the other, or hips that aren’t completely symmetrical. Maybe we have short toes or an old ankle sprain that now affects how the ankle moves. There are plenty of “imperfections” in the body that affect how it moves while we are in motion. Today I want to look at one of the muscles in the hip, and their affect on running.
The gluteus medius. Located in the rear, just below the iliac crest. This muscle’s main responsibility is to provide support to the hips during weight bearing. It’s fibers run vertically on a slight horizontal angle to the top of the greater trochanter of the femur. It’s action is primarily hip abduction but it also assists with medial and lateral rotation of the hip. According to Dr. Waldman in his text Atlas of Uncommon Pain Syndromes, the gluteus medius is susceptible to the development of myofascial pain symptom. This syndrome can develop when the muscle is faced with repetitive microtrauma from activities such as running, and is chronic in nature. Patients that suffer from myofascial pain syndrome have pain at the posterior iliac crest that is referred along the buttocks and across the sacroiliac joint. Waldman identifies palpable trigger points in the gluteus medius along areas of taut muscle fibers. These taut bands are palpable in a runner. How does this come about? During running, the most active muscles would be involved in knee and hip flexion and extension. The gluteus medius is not involved in these actions. While it would seem more logical that a runner would suffer from taut fibers and trigger points in the hip flexors, quadriceps, hamstrings and calves, the gluteus medius is a common place of these sources of pain. In fact, the term “Runner’s Butt” has been given to Gluteus Medius Syndrome. This important muscle is responsible for hip abduction yes, but it is also essential to maintain hip stability. While standing on one leg, the opposite gluteus medius will isometrically contract to keep the pelvis level horizontally. So while running, this muscle is contracting with each step. Considering that about 1500 steps are taken during each mile, and if a marathon is 26 miles, the math equates into the marathon runner taking almost 40 000 steps. This means that the gluteus medius is contracting 40 000 times during the marathon. This alone could lead to muscle fatigue. However, given that running involves flight, the impact of the foot contacting the ground with each step is exemplified. When you run, you land with 100% of your weight multiplied by 3X due to the impact. Three times your weight! So an average person weighing 150lbs would create an impact force of 450lbs while running, with each and every step! These forces are absorbed by the feet, if functioning optimally, and then travel up to the gluteus medius who’s responsibility is to match this force through an isometric contraction in order to keep the hips level. Not once, but with each and every step! The gluteus medius has a major job to do, and can understandably become overworked and fatigued.
How does osteopathy help? A manual osteopath can help reduce the runner’s symptoms through counterstrain and facilitated muscle release techniques. Just as important is ensuring the body is in alignment. A manual osteopath can determine if the alignment is off and address these “imperfections” to reduce abnormal wear and tear, and prevent the development of pain symptoms. The addition of BioFlex laser therapy can reduce the inflammatory response, accelerate healing and get you back on out there quicker.
Works Cited
Allen, D. (2018, June). Gluteus Medius Syndrome. Retrieved June 22, 2018, from San Diego Running & Sports Institute: www.sdri.net/injuries/lower-body-injuries/gluteus-medius
Palastanga N, S. R. (2012). Anatomy and Human Movement: Structure and Function(Vol. 6th). London: Churchill Livingstone.
Waldman, S. (2014). Atlas of Uncommon Pain Syndromes(Vol. 3rd). Elsevier.
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