Iliopsoas Syndrome

The lower back muscles are the more dominant muscles of the back because of their ability to maintain posture, stability of the body, and movement.  There are two muscles of the low back that cross over and act as one.  The psoas major and illacus, together form the muscle known as the Iliopsoas.  The purpose the Iliopsoas is a deep muscle in the abdomen and along the iliac fossa.  As a hip flexor, the illiopsoas plays a crucial role in the posture of the spine, and helps with movement in the lower lumbar spine, and an influential function of the lordosis (curve) of the spine.

An individual might experience the pain of the iliopsoas syndrome if the following areas are experiencing acute or chronic pain:  lower abdomen, groin, buttocks, thigh and leg, hip, lower back, sacroiliac joint, across the top of the pelvic bond, and stiffness and clicking in the hip region.

The cause of iliopsoas syndrome can be attributed to repetitive hip  motion, sitting too long in the same stationery position, speed workouts associated with a runners workout, shortened hip muscles, poor abdominal muscles, pronation, shortened quadriceps muscles, and cycling.

This muscle lies deep in the back of the spine intertwined between the S1 and L5.  The difficulty of working this muscle from a massage therapist standpoint begins with understanding how to locate this muscle. As the therapist enters the point where Ilacus and psoas meet, a slow insertion of pressure as well as an inward motion toward the spine is important in relieving the client’s pain.  Once the muscle is located, pressure should be added to the point, then releasing for ease of the soft tissue.  This type of manipulation will encourage the management of this syndrome.  Other options are various stretches that open the constrained hips, lower back stretches, and leg raises.  Often rest, massage, and stretching will help alleviate the pain caused by Iliopsoas Syndrome.