Stroke Recovery: Your Deep Hip & Glute Muscles Be Affecting Your Progress?

 Deeper Hip & Glute Muscles May Be Affecting Your Stroke Recovery?

Hello Friend,

There is something I want stroke survivors to know about their muscles that may not have been explained to you before.

When we talk about stroke recovery, we often talk about muscles we can easily see and name. But there are also deeper muscles underneath the gluteus muscle that are involved in movement, rotation, stability, balance, and walking.

The piriformis, obturator externus, obturator internus, gemellus superior, and gemellus inferior are deep gluteal and hip muscles. One or more of these deeper muscles may be affected by spasticity or may have difficulty receiving and producing the movement messages needed for normal function after a stroke.

You may not know this is happening.

When the brain is working to regain movement after a stroke, it is working to build new neuro pathways and improve communication with the muscles needed for movement. When a muscle involved in a coordinated movement is weak, stiff, affected by spasticity, or has difficulty receiving and producing the movement message from the brain, it can affect how that movement functions.

That is why understanding the specific muscles involved in a movement can be important during stroke recovery.

Watch the Deep Hip & Glute Muscles Video

In this video, I focus on the deeper hip-rotator muscles underneath the gluteus muscle. These muscles help rotate and stabilize the hip and contribute to movement, walking, and stabilizing the legs.

I teach the anatomy by showing you an illustration of these muscles and where they are located. I also demonstrate the Pilates Clam exercise to help work these hip-rotation and stabilizing muscles.

I show the basic version, an advanced variation, how to position your body, how each side may feel different, and why you should progress gradually rather than doing too much too soon.

For stroke survivors, understanding these deeper muscles may give you another important piece of information to discuss with your healthcare or fitness professionals as you continue your recovery.

In this video, you'll learn:

• How spasticity can affect deeper muscles that are not always talked about
• Where the deeper gluteal and hip-rotator muscles are located
• About the piriformis, obturator externus, obturator internus, gemellus superior,    and gemellus inferior

• How these muscles help rotate and stabilize the hip
• How these muscles contribute to movement, walking, and leg stability
• How weakness, stiffness, or spasticity in these muscles may affect movement and balance
• Why the brain and muscles need to communicate properly while building new neuro pathways after stroke

• How to perform the Pilates Clam exercise
• How to modify the exercise based on your own ability and recovery
• Why one side of your body may feel different from the other
• Why progressing gradually is important when adding or advancing exercises

Knowledge of your muscles matters in stroke recovery.

In my book Stroke Recovery - Leg Stability and Walking Gait, I share knowledge, exercises, and anatomy illustrations to help you better understand leg stability and walking recovery.

In my book Balance Walking and Fall Prevention - A Fitness Trainer's Guide for Seniors and Pre-Seniors, I share knowledge, exercises, and anatomy illustrations to help you better understand balance, walking, and fall prevention. This book is also a helpful resource for those who may benefit from this information but don't want to read a book with the word "Stroke" on the cover.

My books, courses, and videos explain the anatomy, biomechanics, and muscle function involved while also demonstrating exercises that can be performed safely during training.

Below are resources to help you find more guidance and education:

My books - Available in Kindle & Paperback Editions. https://www.amazon.com/author/tracymarkley 

https://www.tracymarkley.com

My Courses - https://www.tracymarkley.com/cec-courses

My CEC Professional Courses: 

• Stroke Recovery Specialist CEC Course
• Functional Anatomy 101 & Beyond

Stroke Survivor & Caregiver Course

• Stroke Recovery - What Now? When Physical Therapy Ends but Your Recovery Continues.

The Membership
True progress comes from consistency. The membership offers ongoing guidance, education, and support so you’re never guessing what to do next — and never rushing the process.   Join the Membership

Recommended Equipment

Many of the balance and rehabilitation tools I use in my videos—including the mounted wall bar, BOSU®, balance pads, resistance bands, and other training equipment—can be found here: Recommended Equipment & Products

Support the Channel

If you'd like to support my work, you can also visit my merchandise store featuring shirts, mugs, and other items inspired by the Tracy Markley community.

Tracy Markley Merchandise

A Personal Note

Please remember: Progress in recovery comes from understanding your body and taking steady, safe steps forward. It takes consistency and persistence with therapy exercises.

With warmth and care,
Tracy Markley

Internationally Recognized Fitness Educator
2021 IDEA Personal Trainer of the Year
2024 National Fitness Hall of Fame – One of America's Top Fitness Educators