top of page
Writer's pictureJingyuan Di

The Underrated Psoas



The psoas muscle is often referred to as the "hidden" muscle. It's a deep core muscle that attaches to the lumbar spine and pelvis and extends down to the femur. Even though it's hidden deep within the body, it's an important muscle for dancers, athletes, and everyone else. The psoas plays a vital role in stabilizing the spine and pelvis and helping us move our legs. It's responsible for everything from keeping us upright to helping us jump and run.


Issues can arise from either overuse or improper use of this muscle in everyday activities, so it's important to take measures to ensure its health. Taking time to stretch the psoas muscles can help keep them strong, preventing further issues and allowing you to perform any physical movement more comfortably.


The psoas muscle is responsible for hip flexion

It’s responsible for hip flexion, which can be used in activities like running and jumping. In fact, its name is derived from a Greek word meaning “loin” or “the loins” to refer to where this powerful muscle originates. It connects the lower spine with the upper leg and plays an integral role in stabilizing the torso. Therefore, it's essential to keep your psoas strong in order to have good movement through your hips and improved posture - when it's too tight or weak you can start experiencing low back pain as well as negative impacts on your posture. In other words, having a healthy psoas goes beyond physical fitness - taking care of this important muscle is key for any serious athlete looking to optimize their performance.


Strengthening the psoas muscle can help to relieve lower back pain

When it comes to alleviating lower back pain, strengthening the psoas muscle might be just what you need. This powerful muscle, which lies in the front of our hips and core, is key in helping us stand up, sit down, bridge our bodies up, and more. When our psoas muscles are weak or tight, they can pull on our lower backs and cause uncomfortable pain. By devoting extra attention to this unique muscle through a consistent exercise regimen - including stretching and strengthening - we can help reduce the discomfort associated with this common ailment. Investing time in taking care of our psoas muscles can be a game-changer for those with lower back issues!


There are a few different ways to stretch and strengthen the psoas muscle

Stretching and strengthening the psoas muscle is an essential part of any workout routine and can have a huge impact on overall body health. This important deep-seated core muscle deserves plenty of attention, but there are several different approaches to working it effectively. Many experts recommend gentle stretchings such as the low lunge, kneeling hip flexors, and bridge poses to help warm up the muscles prior to more challenging activities like weight lifting and cycling. Once you’ve awakened the psoas through stretching, core exercises such as dead bugs, squats, and planks can help build strength - and a more balanced body overall. With a few simple modifications to incorporate if needed, these movements can be suitable for any fitness level, allowing everyone to reap all the benefits of a strong psoas muscle.


16 views0 comments

Comments

Rated 0 out of 5 stars.
No ratings yet

Add a rating
bottom of page