6. Gluteus Maximus

Origin: Ilium posterior to the posterior gluteal line, dorsal surface of the sacrum, coccyx, and sacrotuberous ligament

Insertion: Iliotibial  band and gluteal tuberosity

Action:

  • Hip extension
  • Assists with hip lateral rotation

Innervation: Inferior gluteal nerve (L5/S1/S2)

Gluteus maximus, medius and minimus.
Figure 2.12 Gluteus maximus, medius, and minimus, adapted by Mikael Häggström from the original image by Henry Gray and Henry Vandyke Carter (Public domain).

Needling

Position: Prone

Palpation: Palpate the gluteus maximus, can resist hip extension if needed to help isolate

Technique: Directly perpendicular to the muscle avoiding the mid 1/3 of the muscle to avoid the sciatic nerve

Caution: Moderate – avoid the middle 1/3 of this muscle due to the sciatic nerve location

Needling of gluteus maximus.
Figure 2.13 Needling of gluteus maximus, original image by Nadine Crocker, CC BY-NC 4.0.
Needling of gluteus maximus.
Figure 2.14 Needling of gluteus maximus, original image by Nadine Crocker, CC BY-NC 4.0.

Video 2.6 Needling of gluteus maximus, original video by Nadine Crocker, CC BY-NC 4.0.

License

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Sinew Channel Needling Copyright © 2026 by Nadine Crocker is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License, except where otherwise noted.

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