There is a specific set of rules that every injury follows. A Doctor of Chiropractic must develop an analytical program that covers everything about the patient in front of them. In order to create a true assessment of an injury and the treatment program to correct it, every major joint in the patient must be examined.
The psoas is possibly the single most overlooked muscle despite the fact that it can be the cause of a decrease in the range of motion in the neck, shoulders, lower back and also the hip joint. The psoas muscle begins in the lumbar, or lower spine. It anchors both sides of the spine. It travels down into the pelvic area and attaches at the knobby part of the hip with several strong tendons.
The psoas muscle is crucial among the hip flexor muscles. Hip flexors give people the ability to bend their bodies into their hips and to pull their hips into their bodies. The psoas has two primary functions:
- When the leg is free to move, as when walking, it is a strong flexor of the thigh at the hip joint.
- When the leg is planted firmly, as when standing or sitting still, it bends the lower spine forward. This action is used to maintain the balance of the trunk when sitting.
When a person sits, the psoas is in a shortened position. When sitting for long stretches of time, as many of us do, the muscle stays “short,” even after standing up. The shortened psoas then pulls the lower spine forward. The muscles around the lower back counter this pull by tightening, like ropes anchoring a tent pole. This battle forces the spine down and compresses the discs of the lumbar spine. This irritation causes a nagging, aching low back. The discs degenerate over time, making them more susceptible to bulging or tearing. It’s possible that the disc could herniate and press on the sciatic nerve. This causes unbearable pain down one or both of the legs.
The psoas is involved in many patient issues that are seen in the office of Dr. Kerew. Many chiropractors don’t see this as a major source of the problem or don’t know how to recognize it as such. The exploratory procedure appears very simplistic, yet other doctors of chiropractic rarely ever bother to check it. The end result is that the patient is left with recurring chronic problems. The psoas causes low back pain, sciatica, sacroiliac pain, scoliosis, disc problems, hip degeneration, knee pain, menstruation pain, infertility, and digestive problems.
Gentle stretching can help relieve back pain from psoas tightness. It can also help strengthen the muscle. The most basic psoas stretch involves lying on your back on the floor. Make sure that your pelvic position is neutral, your shoulder blades are flat on the floor, and that your spine and head are in perfect alignment. This will form a smooth, straight line in your body. Slowly bring one knee up to your chest while extending the other leg along the floor. Breathe deeply and evenly as you do this. Hold the knee in that position for several breaths before switching sides, and repeat several times.
Yoga poses such as One-Legged Pigeon, Wind-Relieving Pose, Crescent Lunge, Warrior One and Reverse Plank target the area and can also help relieve lower back pain. Chiropractic techniques that focus on the psoas rather than the spine itself, have the best results in relieving tightness.
Those suffering from lower back pain may be able to find relief that they may not have thought possible. For further information about this topic or to schedule a consultation, please contact Dr. Lynn Kerew directly at drlynn@lynnkerew.com or visit her website at http://www.lynnkerew.com.
