09/04/2026
THE PSOAS: A DEEP MUSCLE WITH A BIG ROLE IN BACK PAIN 💜
If your low back keeps hurting, the problem may not be only in your back.
Meet the psoas—one of the deepest muscles in the body and an important connection between your spine, pelvis, and legs.
📍 WHERE IS THE PSOAS?
The psoas major originates along the lumbar spine, travels deep through the abdomen and pelvis, and joins the iliacus before attaching to the upper femur.
Because of this location, it has a direct relationship with the low back, pelvis, hips, posture, and movement.
✨ WHY IS IT IMPORTANT?
The psoas helps you:
• Flex your hip
• Stabilize the lumbar spine
• Walk, run, and climb stairs
• Coordinate movement between your trunk and legs
• Maintain functional positioning of the spine and pelvis
When the psoas becomes tight, guarded, overworked, or restricted, it can influence the mechanics of the lumbar spine and pelvis.
⚡ THE PSOAS + BACK PAIN
A restricted or overactive psoas may contribute to:
→ Low-back discomfort
→ Hip or groin tension
→ Difficulty standing fully upright
→ Pelvic imbalance
→ Increased lumbar compression or altered spinal mechanics
→ Discomfort after prolonged sitting
→ A feeling that stretching your back never quite gets to the problem
This is one reason I don’t automatically treat where the pain is.
If your back hurts, I’m also looking at your pelvis, hips, psoas, diaphragm, abdominal fascia, legs, and the fascial connections throughout your entire body.
💜 THE PSOAS DOESN’T EXIST IN ISOLATION.
In Myofascial Release, we look beyond one muscle and assess the larger fascial system.
Sometimes lasting change comes from addressing the restrictions that are pulling on the painful area—not repeatedly chasing the pain itself.
Your back pain may be the messenger.
The source of the tension may be somewhere else.
Treat the front of the back! The Psoas!
Have you ever had your psoas assessed or treated?
Rowena Cua 💜
Expert JFB Myofascial Release Therapist
Trauma Informed Healing
🌐 www.bodymfr.com
