Back Pain - Courtesy of the Iliopsoas Muscle
What is the Iliopsoas Muscle?
It is 
a group of muscles consisting of the psoas major, psoas minor and the iliacus muscles. They are the only muscles, besides the piriformis, that connect the vertebrae (back bones) to the legs.
Psoas Functions
This group of muscles does many things. The muscles work as a hip and thigh flexor, an extensor of the lumbar spine -- which makes it the major walking muscle.
If the legs are stationary, these muscles work to bend the spine forward. When you’re sitting, they stabilize and balance the trunk.
Ideally, the psoas maintains the pelvis in a dynamically neutral orientation so it can move easily and retain structural integrity--this creates positions of the spine that require the least muscular effort.
Psoas dysfunction
Common Pain Symptoms
- referred pain down the front of the thigh
- vertically along the lower to mid spinal column
- trigger points are found above the path of the psoas on the abdomen, on the quadratus lumborum muscles, as well as the piriformis, gluteals, hamstrings, and erector spinae.
Causes
of Dysfunction
- postural habits -- such as the way we stand, walk and sit
- walking or standing with our chin forward
- prolonged sitting at the office, car or elsewhere
- unresolved trauma
Until the psoas is released, the muscle may stay contracted and go into further shortening and spasm.
Treatment Considerations
The iliopsoas muscle is an essential part of the instinctive fear reflex and, as such, it is very sensitive.
If we work on the inner fibres, we affect fibres connecting to L4 and L5, and if we treat the outer fibres, we affect the fibers connecting to T12 and L1.
Some Treatment Technique
s
The Sports Medicine Doctor at Toronto SEMI can help to determine if this injury is affecting you. The Registered Massage Therapists and Physiotherapists can help direct your recovery.
Some of the techniques employed by the team at SEMI are:
- Education about aggravating factors/positions to avoid
- Iliopsoas release with stretch/heat
- Combination rib cage release and heat application
- Joint Mobilizations
- Massage treatments are followed by directed stretching and strengthening exercises of specific and related muscles.
- A personalized Home Exercise Plan to help you speed up your own recovery!
Table Of Contents
- EREPORTS
- Achilles Tendinopathy
- Active Release Technique
- Acupuncture and You!
- An Introduction to the Sacro-iliac Joint
- An Introduction to Viscero Somatic Pain Referral
- Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injury
- Assessing Your Mental Game
- Back Pain - Courtesy of the Iliopsoas Muscle
- Biodex
- Bunions
- Choosing the Right Shoe
- Chronic Proximal Hamstring Pain in a Runner
- Golfer's Back
- Groin Strain
- Hamstring Strains
- Heat Alert! Exercise and Hyperthermia
- Iliotibial Band Syndrome
- Intravenous Nutrition
- Is Acupuncture for You?
- Is Your Computer Hurting you?
- Knees - Your Friend or Foe?
- Leg Pain in Runners
- Low Back Pain and the Core Stabilizers
- Meniscus Tears
- Overtraining Syndrome
- Patellofemoral Paim Syndrome
- Pilates
- Piriformis Syndrome
- Plantar Fasciitis
- Platelet Rich Plasma Injections
- Plyometrics in Rehabilitation
- Predictable and Unpredictable Pain
- Q & A for the Injured Athlete
- Running Too Much? How to Stay Injury-Free as Race Day Approaches
- Shockwave Therapy
- Shoulder Instabilities Dislocations
- Shoulder Tendonitis
- Skier's Thumb
- Snowboarding Injuries
- Spring into Action ... Prevention!
- Stretching
- Tennis Elbow
- The Bothersome Hammertoe
- The Female Athlete Triad
- The No-Crave Diet
- The Thoracic Spine
- Thoracic Outlet Syndrome
- When It Comes to Orthotics, First Impressions Count
I wanted to take this time to write a bit about my experience at Toronto Semi and the professionalism I received while being treated. Upon entering the front door I was greeted by the manager Roxanne Walsh who was extremely professional, courteous and understanding. The receptionists were very approachable, kind, caring and helpful. I was immediately set up with my physio-therapist Lauren Campbell who was very approachable, friendly and kind. At the early stages of my physio I would have to say it wasn’t fun at all with the amount of pain I was in. Lauren however recognized how much pain I was in and was extremely careful with my shoulder. She gave me exercises to strengthen my tendon. It took about 3-4 months for my shoulder to finally heal with the help of the massage therapist Rick Maceroni. Oh my god is all I have to say! After my first massage I wanted to marry him. I have had a lot of massages in my day but Mr. Maceroni is by far the best I have ever had. I will no longer go to anyone else. All staff were prompt and efficient.
