What is the psoas muscle?
A distinction is made between the psoas major muscle and the psoas minor muscle. The latter is found in less than half of all humans and is not present at all in many mammals. If a psoas minor is present, it lies on top of the psoas major muscle but is not particularly important as an individual muscle.
The psoas major muscle is a skeletal muscle of the lower extremities. It originates in the lower back and runs laterally across the upper part of the thigh. It is primarily responsible for hip mobility and for moving the leg forward.
Symptoms of tension in the lumbar muscles
The psoas muscle is prone to tension. While the muscle itself doesn't hurt during this tension, the lower back muscles, which have to counteract it, certainly do. Since they are often significantly weaker than the lumbar muscles, this counter-tension is strenuous for them: they become tired and eventually painful.
If back pain is caused by tense psoas muscles, it's not immediately obvious – after all, the pain originates in the lumbar spine. However, a doctor can relatively easily determine whether the psoas is the culprit based on the way the pain occurs. For example, the pain often arises when straightening up (and not when bending forward). Similarly, the thighs might not be properly supported when lying on the back, or the patient might have an excessive arch in their lower back due to a tilted pelvis.
How do psoas muscle spasms develop?
Poor posture and one-sided strain are often the cause of pain and tension in the lumbar muscles. Those at risk are not only people who work standing in a stooped position, but also those with desk jobs, as many people sit hunched over and bent in front of their computers despite supposedly ergonomic office furniture.
In this context, the psoas syndrome is often mentioned. Chronic strain can lead to chronically (cramped) shortening of the lumbar muscles. This results in incorrect rotation and forced lateral flexion of the lower spine , combined with a tilting and/or rotation of the pelvis. In the worst case, the muscle tension can even affect internal organs.
How can you relieve tension in the psoas muscle?
First and foremost, poor posture and strain should be avoided as much as possible, or at least regularly corrected – this applies not only to standing or physical labor, but also to those who work at a desk. Since sitting for too long in a rigid and therefore stressful posture can lead to tension and cramps, including in the lumbar muscles, sitting without movement should be avoided as much as possible. Active office chairs from Aeris, such as the Swopper and Muvman, as well as the Aeris 3Dee active chair, offer a simple and effective solution. Thanks to the patented 3D technology, the user moves frequently and constantly adjusts their posture. This continuous movement strengthens the abdominal and back muscles and is better able to counteract the effects of strong lumbar muscles.
