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The Importance of the Psoas
When health experts talk about which muscles in your body are essential for optimal health, you usually hear them list the glutes, hamstrings, and abdominals. But rarely is the psoas muscle (pronounced “so-as”) mentioned as much as it needs to be.
What is the psoas muscle?
The psoas is a massive muscle that connects the top half of your body to the bottom. If you didn’t have this muscle, well, you’d probably be separated in half.
It originates from your 12th thoracic vertebra to your fourth lumbar vertebra and inserts on the inside of your femur.
What does the psoas muscle do?
The psoas flexes your legs up, which is needed for walking, running, climbing stairs, dancing, and anything that involves the coordination of your torso and legs.
This muscle is essential for correct posture as it affects the stability of your spine. Any dysfunction, whether from a weak or tight psoas, can cause the surrounding muscles to overcompensate and become fatigued. This explains why a tight psoas muscle could be the cause of your low back or pelvic pain.
