12/07/2020
Psoas muscles; quite probably the most important muscles in your body
The psoas muscles ("SO-as") are one of the most important muscle groups in your body and one of the least understood. Basically, they are the muscles that connect your torso with your legs. If they become weakened or damaged, the surrounding muscles are forced to compensate becoming overused, leading to serious aches and pains, including low back and pelvic pain. Even experts often misunderstand the complexity of these highly important muscles, and it not uncommon to be given the wrong diagnoses / treatment for pain that has the psoas as its origin.
Signs of potential psoas problems:
Lower back/hip/knee pain with no apparent cause. With over tight psoas muscles, you will experience severe pain, this can be felt in your lower back and/or in your hips/knees. This is due to the over-tight muscles compressing the lumbar discs in your back. If these muscles are tight, it is also possible for your femur to become for all intents blocked in your hip socket basically making rotation in this joint all but impossible, leading to severe joint pains.
Posture-related problems: Muscles that are too short or tight can pull your pelvis out of line, causing spinal compression. Conversely an overstretched or weak psoas can cause the natural curve of your lumbar spine to flatten often occurring in the inter-vertebral disc region, leading to lower back injury. Pain can also appear towards the front of your hip.
Fatigue. These muscles create a "shelf " that your kidneys and other internal organs rest on. When you breathe normally your diaphragm moves and the psoas gently massage these organs, stimulating blood circulation. When the psoas is not correctly functioning, nor do your kidneys and adrenal glands, which leads to physical and emotional exhaustion.
Breathing. Tight psoas muscles can make breathing difficult by causing a thrusting forward of the ribcage. This causes shallow breaths, limiting the amount of oxygen inhaled and leading to overcompensation of your neck muscles.
Unequal Leg length. A tight psoas muscle can cause your pelvis to rotate forward, eventually causing an internal rotation of your leg. In an effort to counterbalance, your opposite leg will rotate externally, pushing the femur hard into your hip socket. If left unchecked, this can lead to unequal leg length and its associated problems.
Bowel Movements. Overly tight psoas muscles can cause painful constipation. Lumbar nerves and blood vessels pass through and around the psoas; over tight muscles shorten your torso decreasing the space for your internal organs, interfering with food absorption and elimination.
Resolving the problem:
Why be in pain if you do not have to be? If you are suffering, then the best treatment is a professional massage by someone who knows what they are doing. Prescription pills may take the pain away, but they are not the answer and do not treat the problem itself. Getting a massage from a professional massage / therapist is the best natural way to relieve pain caused by tight psoas muscles. I would point out that this type of massage is not the most comfortable for the patient, but it can be of great benefit.
Myofascial release massage (a highly specialized massage, performed by a physiotherapist or sports therapist) on a regular basis also will help to keep your psoas, as well as your other muscles in top condition and fluid. Once you are back in shape, you should consider in addition to your regular massage therapy either Yoga or assisted stretching classes with a qualified trainer. Both are very good ways to keep your psoas in shape.
If you think I can be of help, or if you would like to discuss with me further then please contact me.
Lyubov de Cayless
06 44 82 46 84 🇬🇧 🇫🇷
BSc: Sports Medicine, Dip: Massage
Siret: 791 448 350 00011
