Did you know that the Psoas muscle, (highlighted here [Netter: Atlas of Human Anatomy 4th Edition] and located between the inner thigh and 12th rib is one of the key contributors to low back pain? It is one of the most important yet misunderstood muscles in the human body as one of the main movers, if not the biggest mover of hip flexion which we use in our ever constant moving-forward lives.
The Psoas plays a key role in our core strength and balance and has a great effect on our center of gravity. If it is weak or tight, it can create lower back pain. If it contains trigger points, then pain can be felt in the lower back and upper thigh.
In my practice, I see the Psoas muscle as the chief culprit of low back pain in individuals who do a lot of sitting, either at a desk job or driving long hours as a truck driver. When we sit for long hours, our hips are flexing in relation to the rest of our body and this constant, though limited firing of the Psoas muscle contributes to low back pain.Â
Stress is also a factor as is extra weight in the abdomen which translates to three times the weight on the lower back. If the Psoas muscle and other core muscles are not strong and inflexible, then these pain factors also contribute to low back pain.Â
Tune in later this week for a look at how low back pan can be alleviated by taking the Psoas muscle into consideration.Â