The Psoas

Written by: Chyanne Herr, LMT

What is the Psoas Major Muscle?

The Psoas Major muscles are housed deep within each anterior hip joint and the lower spine. As a core muscle psoas major is responsible for weight transfer through the trunk of the body (from shoulders to hips) to the legs and feet in movement as well as while standing.  Due to their location the psoas muscles (major and minor) are significant postural muscles making health of the muscles critical for optimal postural alignment. They are also prime movers, and strong stabilizers of the iliofemoral joints and the lumbar spine. The Psoas muscles are responsible for regulating balance, affecting nerves and subtle energies because of their location.

Location is the key to understanding the importance and role to these amazing muscles.

The psoas muscles create a “shelf,” supporting organs with the pelvis as a basin to the pelvic floor. Psoas muscle contraction creates a massage stimulating organs in the body region such as kidneys, liver, intestines, spleen, bladder, pancreas, and stomach. In conjunction with the organs the psoas muscles now become linked to terms known as the “gut instinct” and “gut brain.” The psoas muscles are the structural messenger to and from the brain and a channel for embedded emotions.

The psoas can also affect nerve innervation and circulation. Due to the lumbar nerve complex that passes through it, and the aorta follows a similar structural path as the psoas, body rhythms become intertwined.

The diaphragm (a major breathing muscle) also meets with the psoas muscles in the junction of the solar plexus integrating the muscle into the chakra system. The Psoas surrounds the lower 3 chakras, subtly affecting the flow of life force energy and running the energy throughout the body.

Understanding and working with the Psoas muscle can help to:

Alleviate low back pain, strengthen the core, correct posture, 

reduce trauma and open energy channels

Integrating specific stretches and yoga poses for optimal Psoas health

Warrior 1 Pose, upward facing dog, cat and cow pose