In this rendering by Primal Pictures, the gemellus may be difficult to locate. The muscle at the top (it’s cut off by the border) is the quadratus lumborum. Below that angling diagonally toward the hip bone is the piriformis. Below the piriformis, laying almost horizontally, is the gemellus.

The gemellus, along with the piriformis, are part of the “deep six”, a group of hip muscles responsible for external rotation. If you can kick a soccer ball with the inside part of your foot it’s because you can externally rotate your hip. Sitting cross legged also requires the strength to externally rotate. (It also requires flexibility in the adductors, another topic.)

Trigger points that develop in the gemellus can be expected to behave like trigger points in the piriformis. Hip pain and a pain in the butt would be common. Lost range of motion (hip rotation) could follow if treatment was incomplete. In order for a massage therapist to access the gemellus, she’ll have to work through the gluteus maximus, a large muscle that lays superfically on top of the deep six.

One of my clients and owner of DL Cohen Information Services, was the one to first introduce me to the Archimedes Movement, founded by Dr. John Kitzhaber. She recently returned from an Archimedes sponsored visit to our representatives in Salem. Here are some of her notes:

“Archimedes is the group I went to Salem with on the 26th [March]. John Kitzhaber started it. The head is speaking at Central Library on April 14th. Note below that PCC TV (Channel 30) is also broadcasting the presentation live.

Reframing the Health Care Debate
Tuesday, April 14, 7:00 pm
Board Room, Multnomah County Building, 501 SE Hawthorne Boulevard, Portland
Guest Speakers: Liz Baxter, Executive Director, The Archimedes Movement

Liz Baxter, Executive Director of The Archimedes Movement, will discuss the crisis in the U.S. health care system on April 14th at 7pm. The event will be held in the Board Room of the Multnomah County Building, 501 SE Hawthorne Boulevard, Portland. The event is free, and the public is invited to attend.

Oregon has one of the fastest growing rates of the uninsured in the nation. Health care premiums continue to rise sharply. The cost of healthcare in the U.S. is twice that of other countries yet the quality of care and the outcome is frequently less. The discussion is aimed at finding a solution that invests in our health and
guarantees all families affordable, quality health care in Oregon.

Liz Baxter joined forces with Governor Kitzhaber in October 2005, working with him to launch the Archimedes Movement with the goal of finding solutions to common problems facing Oregonians. (www.WeCanDoBetter.org). Their current focus is on the crisis in the U.S. health care system.

Portland Community Media will broadcast the discussion on Channel 30 live on Tuesday, April 14, at 7 p.m. Repeat broadcasts will be aired on Channel 30 on:
Tuesday, April 21, 7:00 am
Sunday, April 26, 6:00 pm
Tuesday, April 28, 5:00 pm

The discussion is presented by the League of Women Voters of Portland. The League of Women Voters is a nonpartisan political organization that encourages informed and active participation in government.
The League of Women Voters of Portland * 310 SW 4th Avenue, Suite 520 * Portland, OR 97204 * 503-228-1675 * lwvpdx@aracnet.com * www.lwvpdx.org”