Psoas, low back pain, and stretching to release...

 

The psoas (Also known as iliopsoas because it merges with the iliacus) is one of the largest muscles in the body. It has a distinct disadvantage these days as more and more people are finding themselves in sitting jobs. This puts the psoas in a shortened position more often than not and it becomes accustomed to being at a shortened length. This, in turn, is what leads the psoas to cause back pain.

The psoas originates on the lumbar spine and attaches onto the lesser trochanter of the femur. It runs through the abdomen on its way to the femur and so when it becomes shortened, the pull is felt in the lumbar where it originated. When low back pain comes up in an intake, it is absolutely necessary to be mindful of the role the psoas plays.

Ida Rolf

"Let us be clear about this: the legs do not originate movement in the walk of a balanced body; the legs support and follow. Movement is initiated in the trunk and transmitted to the legs through the medium of the psoas."

(Rolf, 1977: Rolfing, the Integration of Human Structures, pg. 118)

FYI: To locate the psoas, have the client lay in a supine position, place the hand on the lower abdomen, to the far left or right of the belly button; ask the client to raise a foot off the table (on the same side you are) and you will feel it tense beneath your hand.

There are some good stretches available to give clients for homework to relieve the psoas of its tension by lengthening the muscle back out.

This is a reasonably easy stretch to begin with. As always, caution clients against overstretching. As trying as it can be, slow and sure is an excellent method of getting the body back to a health state.

This is a more intense stretch and caution should be exercised on the part of the client.

In addition to these stretches, a yoga routine that includes triangle and warrior provide an excellent way to stretch the psoas.