Psoas Muscle
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The psoas is one of the deepest and most influential muscles in the body. Located in the front of the lower spine, it runs from the lumbar vertebrae, passes through the pelvis, and attaches to the top of the femur. Together with the iliacus, it forms the iliopsoas—your primary hip flexor. This muscle plays a major role in lifting the leg, stabilizing the spine, supporting posture, and coordinating nearly every movement involving the hips and lower back.
Because of its deep location, the psoas is highly sensitive to prolonged sitting, stress, poor posture, and repetitive lifting. When the psoas becomes tight or overactive, it can pull the spine forward, compress the lumbar discs, and create pain in the lower back, pelvis, groin, or even the front of the hip. Some individuals also experience referral patterns that mimic other conditions such as hip impingement or sacroiliac joint dysfunction. In severe cases, people report difficulty standing fully upright, trouble walking, or sharp pain with hip flexion.
Additionally, trigger points—small, hyperirritable knots in the muscle—can produce symptoms like deep aching in the abdomen, sharp pain in the groin or upper thigh, or a sense of tightness that never quite goes away. Because the psoas lies so close to the lumbar nerves, irritation or tension in this muscle can also contribute to nerve-like symptoms.
Thankfully, all therapists at Granville Physio are trained to identify whether the psoas is the true source of your discomfort. Using a combination of shockwave therapy, manual techniques, and individualized corrective exercises, your therapist can release tension in the psoas, improve hip and spinal mechanics, and restore full, pain-free movement. Studies have shown that patients with chronic hip or low back pain often experience significant improvement—and in some cases complete resolution of symptoms—after just a few targeted sessions.
Because of its deep location, the psoas is highly sensitive to prolonged sitting, stress, poor posture, and repetitive lifting. When the psoas becomes tight or overactive, it can pull the spine forward, compress the lumbar discs, and create pain in the lower back, pelvis, groin, or even the front of the hip. Some individuals also experience referral patterns that mimic other conditions such as hip impingement or sacroiliac joint dysfunction. In severe cases, people report difficulty standing fully upright, trouble walking, or sharp pain with hip flexion.
Additionally, trigger points—small, hyperirritable knots in the muscle—can produce symptoms like deep aching in the abdomen, sharp pain in the groin or upper thigh, or a sense of tightness that never quite goes away. Because the psoas lies so close to the lumbar nerves, irritation or tension in this muscle can also contribute to nerve-like symptoms.
Thankfully, all therapists at Granville Physio are trained to identify whether the psoas is the true source of your discomfort. Using a combination of shockwave therapy, manual techniques, and individualized corrective exercises, your therapist can release tension in the psoas, improve hip and spinal mechanics, and restore full, pain-free movement. Studies have shown that patients with chronic hip or low back pain often experience significant improvement—and in some cases complete resolution of symptoms—after just a few targeted sessions.
