Today I want to show you a great way to release the TFL muscle without stretching.
The TFL stands for Tensor Fascia Latae and it has a tendency to get extremely tight and overactive.
This chronic tightness causes hip instability, pain, and dysfunction including piriformis syndrome pain.
Full disclosure: this post contains affiliate links. I only mention products I personally use and recommend…and if you purchase from Amazon using my affiliate link, I get a small commission. You won’t pay more!
If you keep stretching your hips or piriformis muscle and you’re still not getting relief, you may be dealing with chronic TFL tightness.
This post will show you how to properly release the TFL with a foam roller at home. To view the video tutorial taking you step-by-step through the process of releasing the TFL, just scroll down…
Before we get started, I just want to mention quickly that I wrote another post that is equally as important as this one that’ll take you through releasing the biggest hip flexor muscle (the Psoas).
Both the TFL and psoas are hip flexors that can contribute to piriformis pain. I just wanted to mention that first so you don’t forget to check it out.
I’ll link to it again at the end of this post.
- Related: How to release the hip flexors
The TFL Muscle Location and Functions
Before we release the TFL, we need to learn where it’s located and how to properly place the foam roller to effectively release the trigger points.
The TFL is located on the side of the hip (1).
It’s facing the front and also the side…right on the corner. The TFL muscle accelerates hip flexion, abduction, and internal rotation (again working in all 3 planes of motion: flexion, abduction, and rotation).
- An example of a sagittal plane exercise is the bodyweight squat or the bodyweight lunges. Front and Back.
- A frontal plane exercise is for example sidewalks with the band or lateral lunges. So any movement side to side.
- A transverse plane exercise is an exercise where you’re rotating (like throwing a ball).
Thet TFL quickly acts up to move the hips in all these 3 directions (and as a result, it can inhibit the glutes from engaging when needed).
So when you’re squatting, lunging, or performing side-to-side walks, the TFL is engaged in all these movement patterns.
The TFL also stabilizes the lumbo-pelvic-hip-complex.
This is why it’s important to release the TFL muscle and avoid overactivity. You want to maintain muscle balance at all times to avoid dysfunction.
Below you’ll find a very effective TFL release technique you can try at home. You’ll need a simple foam roller.
A longer foam roller would be perfect but a medium one can get the job done as well. Before we start foam rolling the TFL, we want to first assess and see if it’s overactive.
An assessment is one of the best ways to isolate the problem. I do include thorough assessments inside my program Piriformis Control, but I included a short one for you below.
Everything You Need To Beat Piriformis Syndrome
Piriformis Control
How to beat piriformis syndrome without spending years in pain. Complete home program. No gym required.
TFL Muscle Overactivity Assessment
If you’re curious, there is an easy way to see if the TFL muscle is overactive and affecting your hip balance. You can find out by performing a simple squat test…
How to perform the squat test: Make sure you’re facing a mirror. You can also film yourself.
Just don’t look down when you’re performing the test… Your cervical spine will flex, you’ll start rounding your back, and your posture will change. Plus you won’t be able to see everything that’s happening.
It’s easy to just film yourself (so you can re-watch multiple times).
It’s very surprising to see all the flawed movement patterns we engage in that we’re not aware of). We’re all work in progress.
Go ahead and perform a bodyweight squat. you don’t have to go very low. But, do not try to fix anything. Just squat as you’d normally do.
Observations: Notice if one or both your knees are caving in and rotating inwards:
If one or both of your knees cave in, your TFL on either or both sides is very overactive. You can also perform a backward lunge and see if your knee moves inwards.
Why is this test important?:
You’re always transferring force from one leg to another: walking up and down the stairs, standing on one leg to put your pants on, or getting in and out of your car to name a few scenarios.
Think of how this can affect other joints and muscles up and down the kinetic chain (hips, and ankles).
Everything You Need To Beat Piriformis Syndrome
Piriformis Control
How to beat piriformis syndrome without spending years in pain. Complete home program. No gym required.
Effective TFL Release Video Tutorial
To perform a self-myofascial release, you’ll need a high-quality foam roller. Here’s the brand I use!
TFL Release Instructions:
- Start by finding the two bony landmarks on your hip: The greater trochanter of the femur (the hip bones) and the iliac crest (higher bone).
- From the top of the iliac crest to the greater trochanter of the femur is a very small space. The TFL muscle is not on the side… it’s on that front corner.
How to reach the front corner to release the TFL?
- Now start by lying on the roller on your side. Then, you’re going to take your bent knee and drop it until it touches the floor. Right there! you’re lined up perfectly on the muscle
It’s very likely the muscle is extremely tight. So just breathe deeply, and rest there for about 20-30 seconds. Look for any tender spots (up and down) to release.
IMPORTANT: You should not be feeling any shooting pain or experiencing any numbness. We only want to release the muscle. So if you’re experiencing any of these things, take a break now.
- If it’s extremely tight that you can’t even rest on it for a few seconds. I suggest you bend the straight knee to give the muscle break, so it’s not pulled very tight. This will allow you to apply more pressure and feel the release.
And of course, when you’re done, move to the other hip. Don’t forget to also release the PSOAS muscle, another big hip flexors that drive the hips out of balance and can trigger a lot of pain.
Recommended Program: Piriformis Control
I hope this post was helpful. If you have a question about anything covered in this post, don’t hesitate to comment below.
Pin/Save This Post!
Top Posts
Programs And Coaching
- How To Sleep With Piriformis Syndrome And Sciatica (Best Sleeping Positions!) - January 22, 2021
- 7 Effective Core Exercises For Back Pain Relief (PDF Included!) - December 18, 2020
- Keto Green Smoothie (That Looks And Tastes Good!) - November 24, 2020
That TFL release literally just saved my life. Thank you SO much for posting this amazing content!
Right?
Everytime I feel some soreness on my hip, I do it, and it ALWAYS helps.
My hip pain recently skyrocketed, and I suspected overuse running. I’ve been working from home due to COVID, and this post pointed out it could be due to sitting too much. The foam roller exercise alleviated 90% of the pain almost instantly, I’ll be doing this one daily!!! Thank you!!
Thanks for this great information. Do you have any information or input on using cupping to relieve hip pain in addition to these excercises?
Hi Vanessa,
I’ve tried it maybe once yeaars ago when I was still in pain. I really don’t remember if it helped me because I remember only trying it once. I think any therapy has its place but the one that sticks out that truly helped me and supported long term healing was dry needling actually. It did wonders to release my extremely tight TFL.
Hi coach Sofia what can you use in place of a foam roller?
I’m over weight and have piriformis syndrome and arthritis, fibromyalgia. Most rehab exercises do me no good. I don’t think I can get on the roller, how else or what else can I do? I’m currently using a walker to walk because it’s extremely painful, most times a 10…help!
Hi Theresa,
I totally understand. What you can do is to actually place the roller against the wall and just press against it. You can also use a tennis ball or a massage ball against the wall and release the muscle. You can also have someone anchor the roller to the wall while you use it so it’s stable. Also, I actually advise not to foam roll the piriformis muscle on the floor anyways. I got the best results by releasing it against the wall because you can control the pressure. I wrote about this here https://sambra.me/hip-stretches-alleviate-back-pain-piriformis-syndrome/
What could you use in place of a roller?
Grab your rolling pin and roll your muscles. You can even sit on the sofa and roll watching a show
That’s very funny Lesley! And you know what…it may work. Just don’t sit on it hahah
Thank you for sharing Sofia!. I have done the exercise; and felt the difference right away!.
That’s great to hear Nardo!
I have bursitis in both hips after hip replacement. I can’t walk an eighth of a mile. Only hurts/burns when I walk. Any suggestions?
The TFL is not a muscle. It is facia. Your recommended are very helpful. Thanks!
Hi Diane, the Tensor Fascia Latae is a muscle enclosed in layers of fascia but it’s a muscle that flexes, abducts and also internally rotates the hip. So it tends to get very tight and overactive. I’m so glad the video was helpful 🙂