Functional Rehab Academy

Gluteus maximus

Muscle origin
Iliac crest, sacrum and coccyx.

Muscle insertion
Trochantor major, linea glutea and the IT band connecting to the Tibia and caput of Fibula

Muscle function
Hip extension and external rotation. Control of the Ilium, Sacrum and Coccyx bone, and thereby the SI joints. Control of the knee joint and Fibula bone. Stability of the lumbar spine through the “Back functional line”.

Nerver innervation
L5-S2 (Lovett reactor C1)

Primary muscle type
Phasic / Mixed type (50-60%)

Myofascial lines
Back functional line, Lateral line

Organ relationship (T5-L2, Sacrum)

  • Pancreas (AK)
    • Symp T5-10 (Celiac plexus)
    • Parasymp – CX (Vagus)
  • Large intestine (FA/AK)
    •  Symp – T10-L2 (Mesenteric and Hypogastric plexus)
    •  Parasymp – CX (Vagus) and S2-S4 (Sacral plexus)
  • Bladder (FA/AK)
    •  Symp – T10-L2 (Inferior Hypogastric plexus)
    •  Parasymp – S2-4 (Sacral plexus)
  • Reproductive organs (FA/AK)
    •  Symp – T10-L2 (Inferior Hypogastric, Ovarian and Testicular plexus)
    •  Parasymp – S2-4 (Sacral plexus)
Mid range
Client is supine with one leg hanging from the side with the shin vertical. Apply pressure under the heel and try to lift the thigh of the table.

it is very important that the client keeps the knee flexed min. 90 deg. to avoid the hamstring supporting to much.

Iliac part
Client is prone with the knee bend 90 deg., the hip in 25 deg. extension and the knee in abduction creating an external rotation of approx 40 deg. Fiksate with one hand ond the opposite side of the pelvis and apply pressure down in a sligth oblique angle towards the opposite knee with the other hand.
Sacral part
Client is prone with the knee bend 90 deg. and the hip in 25 deg. extension. Fiksate with one hand on the opposite side of the pelvis and apply pressure straight down towards the bed with the other hand.
Coccyx part
Client is prone with the knee bend 90 deg. and the hip in 20 deg. extension. Bring the knee slightly across the other leg and externally rotate the hip by bringing the ankle even more across the body. Fiksate on the knee with one hand and pull the ankle outwards with the other hand, creating an internal rotational force on the hip joint.

Functional anatomy for

Gluteus maximus

Related joints
Lumbar, SI, hip and Tibia-fibula joint

Associated muscles:

Release exercises

Corrective strength exercises

Functional Rehab Academy

Manual and practical therapy strategies that will help you find the root cause(s) and achieve faster and better results with your clients.

Functional Rehab Academy is a part of:
Move2Peak Academy ApS, Denmark
contact@functionalrehabacademy.com