Talk:Psoas major muscle

Crepitus, or “popping” in the lower back can indicate unequal lateral forces on the lumbar spine owing to a strength and/or laxity discrepancy between the right and left psoas major muscles.^[1] Tight hip flexors (psoas, illiacus, tensor fascia latae), either unilaterally or bilaterally (one side or both sides), are a common though unsung cause of lower back pain, and can be accompanied by Iliopsoas tendinitis, or “snapping hip syndrome.” Physical therapists may recommend stretching and/or strengthening of one of both psoas muscles if lower back pain is indicated.

Stretching the psoas can be difficult because it is impossible to isolate the muscle, and thus any stretch thereof must necessarily stretch all hip flexor muscles and typically the quadriceps as well. Strengthening the psoas is also tricky, but typically involves some variation of supine leg raises, or, in a gym setting, knee raises on a levered machine. A common evaluation of psoas strength is to ask the patient to stand straight up with back against a wall, feet 2-3 inches from the wall. The patient is then instructed to raise the knee as high (close to the chest as possible) for 30 seconds. If the patient’s knee falls below horizontal (femur below 90 degrees) before 30 seconds has elapsed, weakness of the iliopsoas on the side of the knee being raised is indicated.

The Psoas is the major leg mover of gait (walking). Stretching and Chiropractic adjustments to the femur, pelvus and lumbars is often indicated in correcting the psoas imbalance and resolving low back pain.