Introducing the Psoas: a make or break muscle in lower back pain

The psoas, along with the gluteus maximus and the piriformis, is one of the three primary muscles responsible for connecting the spine to the lower body. These muscles support a crucial intersection in the body and they are often implicated in lower back pain. Let’s take a look at the psoas in a little more detail. The psoas attaches the lumbar vertebrae to the femur, by way of the iliacus muscle. It creates a natural pull on the lumbar vertebrae which helps form the lordotic curve that gives your spine strength and balance; this curvature is crucial in your spine’s ability to support the weight of your upper body. The psoas is heavily activated during standing and walking, which is why a sit-heavy lifestyle is so bad for it. 

When the psoas causes problems

When we sit a lot, the psoas tends to tighten and it will train itself to maintain this position. As you can tell by its anatomical position, this chronic tightness pulls the pelvis forward, destabilizing the spine at its foundation and increasing pressure on the lumbar vertebrae. This explains how the psoas is implicated in lower back pain and gives us a good starting point for treatment. At our office in Fremont, we use a comprehensive musculoskeletal examination to identify the regions which are creating pulls and increasing systemic pressure on your spine. If you sit a lot, it is likely that the psoas is one of the muscles creating an uncomfortable pull on your lower back. 

Psoas tightness is reversible

At our office in Fremont, we have helped many people identify and treat back pain related to overly-tight psoas muscles. We use natural modalities including spinal adjustment, myofascial and trigger point release, and rehabilitative exercise to help loosen up the restricted muscle. By restoring range of motion and reducing pain, you can focus on performing the stretches and exercises you need to keep the psoas in a state of balance. Give our office in Fremont a call to schedule an appointment today.