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Home » The Psoas Muscle: Is It The Missing Link To Chronic Lower Back Pain?

October 7, 2018 by Dr. Michael Veselak, D.C. Leave a Comment

The Psoas Muscle: Is It The Missing Link To Chronic Lower Back Pain?

The Psoas Muscle: Is This The Link To Chronic Lower Back Pain

The psoas is one of the most important yet neglected muscles in the body. It is a muscle that crosses two joints the sacroiliac and the illiofemoral. It also attaches to the anterior and lateral border of the intervertebral disc and on occasion can reach the posterior lateral border of the disc.

We have identified it as the major muscle weakness in the chronic back patient. When the psoas is in a hypertonic state it will cause difficulty in walking, prolonged standing, sitting to standing and rolling over in bed.

Several years ago I invested in a very expensive piece of equipment to benefit my patients with spinal stenosis and disc herniations. During my examination of a patient pool that had chronic back pain and had all seen several Doctors incorporating various therapies, the common pattern I witnessed with all of these patients was bilateral psoas weakness.

Why is this muscle that spreads from T12- L5 , then crosses the sacroiliac joint and attaches to the lesser trochanter of the femur ignored? We focus our attention on other muscles such as the piriformis or the gluteus medius and ignore what is in my opinion the most important muscle for chronic lower back pain, the psoas.

The psoas muscle allows you to bend your hips and legs towards your chest and bend forward to pick something up from the floor. It stabilizes the trunk and spine during movement and sitting.

EVALUATION OF THE PSOAS

The Thomas Test is the Orthopedic Test that evaluates hypertonicity of the Psoas muscle. It is performed while lying on the back, bring one knee up to the chest and let the other leg just rest flat on the table. If the leg lifts up at the knee when the opposite knee is flexed to the chest is a positive Thomas test.

Muscle testing to evaluate the strength of the Psoas is imperative in a comprehensive analysis of the Psoas. It is performed with the patient in the supine position, the leg abducted 30 degrees, foot externally rotated and the leg elevated at the hip approximately 90 degrees.

Palpation is also essential with proper evaluation of the psoas. It needs to be done along the illiacus muscle as well as the lesser trochanter. There will be tenderness noted as well as trigger points throughout the muscle.

TREATMENT OF THE PSOAS

Treatment consists of stretching and strengthening exercises. Although the psoas is a difficult muscle to stretch because it has so many actions on the spine and the hip it still must be performed on a daily basis.

We also incorporate a myofasical release technique utilizing cold laser, rapid release therapy and active stretching of the psoas muscle. This advanced neurological reset will improve motor strength immediately.

Tips To Maintain Psoas Health

Avoid sitting for prolonged periods: Sit with your hips level or slightly higher than your knees.

Consider lumbar support for your car

Stretch the psoas on a regular basis

Do Isometric exercises to maintain strength

Get Professional Massage or myofasical release

If you are experiencing chronic lower back or hip pain come to our office and get a thorough evaluation of the psoas muscle and determine if this has been the cause of that chronic issue.

Call us at 805 482-0723 for your evaluation

Filed Under: Chronic Pain Tagged With: lower back pain, sciatica, spinal stenosis, stenosis

Testimonials

Dr. Michael Veselak and his spinal decompression clinic have changed my life in a way I never would have thought possible. Now, five weeks after I started my treatment, I’m back to my very active lifestyle. During my entire treatment, I’ve been completely medication free. I couldn’t have done it without Dr. Veselak. I would highly recommend this treatment to anyone faced with surgery as their only option or people that have chronic neck and/or back pain. This is an option you cannot afford to pa… Read more
Umrao M.
Okay, Dr. Veselak has literally changed my health for the better to say the least!! I had stomach issues  that had lasted over two years and I had gone to  a few regular medical doctors on my insurance. No one could help, and honestly I don’t think they really cared. Dr. Veselak‘s treatment program is all natural and it is formulated to be exactly what your body is in need of. It’s based on your  own personal DNA, so he dials in on what is going on in your body. Not a guessing game, or a on… Read more
Anita P.
Dr. Veselak is a gifted healer, compassionate doctor and wonderful human being. I am so blessed to have been referred to him by my good friend Marylin. After dealing with several issues for so many years Dr V. was able to get to the root of my problems. I was starting to think I was crazy because every test, scan and ultra sound came back negative. I went to various doctors and they all just assumed I was dealing with a thyroid issue. I’m so grateful that instead of assuming or guessing I fou… Read more
Erica D

About Dr. Michael Veselak, D.C.

Dr. Michael Veselak, D.C. has been practicing Chiropractic care in Camarillo, California for over 33 years. Throughout his experience, Dr. Veselak has recognized the importance of treating each patient based on their condition rather than their symptoms. In recent years, Dr. Michael Veselak has become a Certified Functional Medicine Practitioner and Board Certified in Integrative Medicine, allowing him to evaluate each patient neurologically and metabolically, as well as from a chiropractic standpoint. In doing so, Dr. Veselak has seen tremendous success in his patients suffering from chronic conditions such as Peripheral Neuropathy, Chronic Pain, Fibromyalgia, Spinal Stenosis, Degenerative Disc Problems, and Thyroid Disorders.

Using state-of-the-art technology, such a Cold Laser, Hako-Med, Spinal Decompression, Vibration Therapy and Brain-based exercises, Dr. Michael Veselak has witnessed profound effects with various chronic conditions. It is his mission to leave no stone unturned in getting to the root cause of your pain, rather than merely treating the symptoms with medications.

If you or someone you know is suffering from a chronic condition, please contact Dr. Michael Veselak at (805) 482-0723.

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"Dr. Michael Veselak and his spinal decompression clinic have changed my life in a way I never would have thought possible. Now, five weeks after I started my treatment, I'm back to my very active lifestyle. During my entire treatment, I've been completely medication free. I couldn't have done it without Dr. Veselak. I would highly recommend this treatment to anyone faced with surgery as their only option or people that have chronic neck and/or back pain. This is an option you cannot afford to pass up." - Umrao M.

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As a Certified Functional Medicine Practitioner and Board Certified in Integrative Medicine, Dr. Veselak has found that successful treatment is the result of finding the source of the problem, and not covering the symptoms with medications.

With all chronic pain patients there is an underlying component that must be addressed if the patient is ever going to respond to conservative care and live a life without medications.

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