10/12/2025
🧠 Why Does Lower Back Pain Really Hurt? The Role of the Iliopsoas Muscle
Most people believe that pain in the lumbar region is due to "vertebrae," "nerves," "disc herniation," or simply "sedentary work."
Meanwhile, there is one deep-seated muscle that almost no one considers, but which has a crucial impact on the movement of the entire lower body and spine.
This is the Iliopsoas muscle.
When it is shortened, tight, or overloaded—it can cause pain in very unusual places.
🔍 What is the Iliopsoas and Why is It So Important?
The Iliopsoas muscle is composed of two parts:
Psoas Major Muscle — connects the spine to the femur (thigh bone).
Iliacus Muscle — runs across the pelvis and connects to the same point.
Together, they form a kind of "bridge" between the upper and lower body.
Every time you:
lift your leg,
sit,
stand up,
bend over,
walk, run, or drive —
— Your Iliopsoas is working.
⚠️ Why Does This Muscle Hurt in Most People?
The modern person spends from 6 to 12 hours a day in a sitting position.
And when we sit:
The Iliopsoas shortens,
it becomes stiff,
it loses flexibility,
it begins to improperly position the pelvis and the lumbar spine.
This is where the entire cascade of ailments originates.
📌 How to Recognize That the Iliopsoas is the Problem?
Pay attention to the following symptoms:
1️⃣ Pulling pain in the groin, lower abdomen, or upper thigh
Especially after a long drive or many hours of sitting.
2️⃣ Tension in the lower back
That does not subside after a regular massage or light stretching.
3️⃣ Difficulty in a deep squat or full hip extension
A feeling like something is "holding you back from the inside."
4️⃣ Change in pelvic alignment and posture
The lower back curves more, and the abdomen protrudes forward.
5️⃣ Pain when walking, bending over, or lifting the leg
Due to muscle overload and dysfunction.
🧬 What Does Chronic Iliopsoas Tension Lead To?
If nothing is done about it, the muscle begins to:
pull the spine forward,
increase pressure on the intervertebral discs,
limit hip joint mobility,
provoke inflammation and nerve irritation.
As a result, diagnoses often appear that are a consequence of this muscle's dysfunction, rather than its cause.
🧑⚕️ How to Effectively Work with This Muscle?
An effective method includes three key elements:
✔️ 1. Deep Palpation and Diagnostics
Locating trigger points that refer pain to the groin, abdomen, or lower back.
✔️ 2. Specialized Release and Stretching Techniques
Restore the muscle's natural length and reduce tension in the spine.
✔️ 3. Functional Strengthening
To prevent the body from returning to improper tension.
🎯 Why Should You Pay Attention to This Specific Muscle?
Regular work with the Iliopsoas helps to:
reduce or eliminate pain,
improve posture,
increase hip and pelvic mobility,
relieve the lumbar section,
improve gait, flexibility, and overall movement comfort.
📍You Can Receive Professional Iliopsoas Diagnosis and Therapy Physio&Beauty Justyna Sulima
