What is the Psoas Muscle?

health wellness

The psoas muscle is a major muscle in the human body, responsible for stabilizing the base of the spine, allowing the spine to flex, and rotating the hips for a free range of movement. When kept limber, the psoas functions smoothly with the other muscles of the body to support an upright posture and a flexible lower spine and hips. When the psoas is strained or contracted, it can lead to limitations in free range of motion and an increase of lower back pain. For this reason, people should regularly engage in stretches which will address their psoas muscles.

The start of the psoas muscle is found in the lumbar, or lower spine, where the paired psoas muscles anchor on either side of the spine. The muscles wrap around, into the pelvic area, and attach at the knobby part of the hip with several strong tendons. The psoas muscles are considered to be crucial among the hip flexor muscles. Hip flexors allow people to bend their bodies into their hips and to pull their hips into their bodies, and are an important part of human anatomy.

Individuals who experience lower back or hip pain may have contracted psoas muscles which are not providing the support that they need. They should gently stretch to elongate their muscles and make them more flexible, as well as seeking medical attention if the pain continues, grows worse, or changes. Engaging in a regular physical fitness routine which includes stretching such as Pilates or Yoga will help to keep the psoas muscle aligned, strong, and flexible, along with other vital muscles of the body.

The most basic psoas stretch, and one of the most gentle, involves lying on your back on the floor. Make sure that your pelvic position is neutral, your scapulae are flush with the floor, and that your spine and head are in perfect alignment, forming a straight, smooth line. Gently bring one knee up to your chest while extending the other leg along the floor, breathing deeply and evenly. Hold the position for several breaths before switching sides, and repeat several times.

For a deeper psoas stretch, adopt a lunging position with one knee forward, forming a 90 degree angle, if possible, between the hip and the calf. Extend the other leg behind you, kneeling slightly, and lower yourself slowly into the stretch, which you will feel in the front of the hip. Keep your spine perfectly straight while performing this stretch, and do not allow the knee of your forward leg to overhang your toes.

Related wiseGEEK articles

Category

wiseGEEK features

Subscribe to wiseGEEK


21
I wrote sometime back above and due to car accident have severe Psoas muscle, ligament issues, etc. I mentioned that I was seeing a acupuncturist, and did so for a little more than a year. I also began to have Deep tissue massage which helped tremendously.

I just lost my job and insurance and so I can't go but they both did wonders. I am looking forward to getting a new job where I will be able to get to go again and insurance cover some of the cost.

About one week ago my husband bought me a cute little thing called a Sacrowedgy that cost about $30. They have both male and female versions and I should receive in about one week. I think it will help a lot my husband will also massage with that in place.

I will let people know after I try it.

- Whitey
20
If you might have cancer or a compromised immune system for any reason, please research about taking LDN. It is a comfortable safe therapy that often helps. There are videos about LDN results, too.

Of course eat healthfully and consider nutritional supplements if you aren't already taking them, and maybe supplemental iodine for your thyroid. And you may want to consider high-dose Vitamin C, too, even intravenously.

- anon62376
19
@ anon: You can easily massage your psoas muscle yourself. Your belly button should not be a point of reference.

If your right psoas is in trouble, lie on your side and dig deep, about two inches away from the belly button, until you feel a muscle that feels like a long sausage. Follow the muscle up to its rib attachment and down to the pelvic area. palpating this muscle may reproduce your groin pain, but it's O.K. It means you have found the culprit.

- anon61237
18
@ anon13693: Lower abdominal pain will usually come from the rectus abdominal muscle. Check the whole abdominal region for painful muscle knots, paying particular attention below the belly button.

For abdominal pain, massage is the answer. Start gently at first and work out the knots before you decide to stretch this muscle.

- anon61235
17
mikezag: the psoas referred pain to a number of places -- in the groin, down the leg, sometimes as far as the knee, and in the spine itself.

For chest pain, you need to search for knots in your pectoral muscles. Massage them out frequently during the day. For shoulder pain, it is good to start working knots out of the trapezius and rhomboids.

- anon61234
16
Referring to the post about the massage therapist going below the hip and past the underwear.

The psoas attaches to the last rib, to all lumbar vertebrae and then to the lesser thronchanter of the femur. In the pelvic area ie the femoral triangle, there is a muscle called the iliacus...which works with the psoas and supports its healthy functioning...if your therapist is massaging this muscle then it is not inappropriate...gloves are not necessary....although they should be careful with pressure in this area.... if your problem is the psoas then feel lucky you have found a therapist that will massage here....in england where i am i have been through tons of therapists that will do this...and i find it really helpful

- anon61233
15
To anon36251: I have worked as a massage therapist and worked closely with an osteopath.

This is completely inappropriate. Please ensure that the chiropractor is reported the the police for sexual assault. They should never have their hand inside your underwear, least of all without an explanation of their treatment, or more to the point, your consent.

- anon57785
14
To anon63251,

I have had on going lower back pain for four years with some psoas pain as well. I have seen quite a few physios, 2 massage therapists and 1 chiro and I have never had that happen to me. they all usually push around my hip area and even then there has been at least a sheet between their hands and my skin.

As the others have said think seriously about reporting this person as you may not be the only person this has happened too. Good luck and take care.

- anon38977
13
To anon36251,

I also agree that you have been treated in a very irresponsible, if not criminal, manner. Especially telling is the lack of gloves - OMG. I wanted to respond sooner, but I haven't been to a chiropractor or had experience with my own psosas muscle, so I didn't know what to say. But thanks to the last poster, and their own experience with a massage therapist and chiropractor, I know this is not right. Please consider reporting this "doctor", as you may not be the only one. And take care of yourself!!

- anon37692
12
To anon36251:

I have had issues with my Psoas muscle for several years. I see both a chriopractor and a massage therapist. And I have never had either of them "massage" that intimately. In fact, both often use my belly button as a point of reference and never have gone lower than my pelvic area.

I am concerned that you might have been placed in a very inappropriate situation. Please think very carefully about returning as well as reporting the incident. One would think that if this was at all on the up and up, a professional would have explained the procedure, called in a female attendant, and most certainly used gloves.

Wishing you all the best.

- anon37631
11
My chiropractor has explained that my lower back and hip pain is caused in part by tightness in my "psoas" muscle, which he explains extends across the top of my uterus.

In treating this tightness during one visit, he put his hand inside my panties at the place where my upper inner thigh merges into my outer labia. He put one finger inside the labia. He repeated the same position when he massaged the inner thigh of the other leg.

I'm embarrassed to ask anyone whether this is proper treatment. I trust him, but I hadn't prepared myself for such an intimate contact. Also, I did not see him wash his hands. He did not wear gloves. I was supposed to go back in two weeks for another adjustment, but I have not made an appointment.

- anon36251
10
The latest CT scan impression of a female patient closely related to me is as follows. The doctor's opinion is that it is now a lost case. Can anybody tell me if there still some treatment options available and what that could be? The patient has undergone 6 chemotherapy session with Taxol .

CT Report:

" Large SOL involving the right posas muscle with engulfment of right ureter carring right sided hydroneprosis in a case of metastatic adeno Ca "

Also a CT guided biopsy was conducted from retroperitolneal mass on 3,oct'08; the findings: Microscopy : Metastatic adenocarcinoma .The tumor cells express "Cytokeratin & CK-7 and are immuno-negative for CK-20"

- anon27768
9
I have found that is is best to be your own advocate and do your own research... First if you get a "diagnosis", you should be asking the Drs. at that time what it all means and then go home and start researching...

I have major groin issues with Psoas and everything else related due to a headon collision (not my fault)-the femur in my leg dislocated and the head of the femur which usually breaks punched through my whole pelvic girdle(the ensuing physical therapy initially was terrible I was told they didn't know how to help me), and so I ended up with severe muscle atrophy, I finally got a couple of good PT's who helped me somewhat and then I began to have Acupuncture which has helped me more than anything else. As of this date I have had about 7 Acupuncture treatments and am feeling better (I have other injuries as well-crushed foot, and wrist), I am planning on having approx. 8 more treatments within the next 4 months and see how it goes... No Acupuncturist is supposed to tell you how many treatments is recommended they are supposed to just say how ever many you need until you feel better basically...

- Whitey
8
Yet another question here about masses in the psoas muscle. My husband has kidney cancer, and his most recent scan showed a 1.6 cm growth in his psoas muscle that wasn't there three months ago. Since this is generally a slow growing cancer, isn't it possible that it's something else? I had heard of blood clots occurring after workouts, and my husband is a gym rat, so I'm really hoping that's the case. Answers, anyone?
- redvixen
7
I am having knee troubles which I am pretty sure are originating in my hip due to tightness, but unfortunately can't get in to see the surgeon for three weeks. So, I'm hoping someone can help me figure out what it is/how to feel better in the meantime.

When I lay on my back and try to hug my knees to my chest my left leg doesn't go to my chest like the right leg. When I pull it in, I feel a sharp pain in what I would describe as "along the bikini line" - not sure if that's considered the groin or not. Someone told me that this is my psoas, but if this is a muscle issue then I would think I would feel more of a stretching or would feel something when I put icy hot on it but I do not, which makes me wonder if this is maybe a tendon or ligament? Just not sure if I should continue stretching it until I go to the doc or hold off.

- anon16736
6
Out 14 yr old son has a lobular mass in right psoas muscle with left hip pain. We're meeting with doctors this week, but are anxious to know what this is. Has anyone know what a lobular mass could mean?
- anon15507
5
I just had a CT because of severe lower abdominal pain and it showed a hematoma on the muscle. I may have injured the muscle doing my rower with one leg (don't ask me why I only used one!) I was recommended physical therapy.
- anon13693
4
I have had psosas muscle spasms for the past 5 years but never any back pain. My pain is in my chest and entire upper body to my neck and shoulders. What do you recommend to relieve this type of pain and how to improve to reduce the pain....
- mikezag
3
I've had a cancer operation that removed a 6" square sarcoma and most of my psoas muscle. This happened two years ago and I just found out about the missing muscle. I'm a low handicap golfer and I'm wondering what exercises I could do to rebuild or strengthen that attachment of muscle.
- anon6714
2
Just found out today that my husband has the same kind of mass. What happened with you???
- anon4017
1
I just had a CAT scan that shows "stable appearance of a soft tissue mass posterior to the right psoas muscle". What does this mean and is there anything I can do about it myself?
- anon2540

FREE: Subscribe to wiseGEEK

 
    learn more

our strict privacy policy ensures that your email address will be safe



Written by S.E. Smith
Last Modified: 28 January 2010

copyright © 2003 - 2010
conjecture corporation