Psoas

The psoas is difficult to stretch effectively because it crosses two joints. The psoas has dual attachments: one part connects to the front of the pelvis and another to the spine. Stretching the psoas properly requires stabilizing the joints it crosses. Psoas spasm is a compensatory mechanism by which the body attempts to relieve dural tension from a misaligned head position by adjusting the lumbar spine from below. When the head shifts forward, dural tension at the occiput reflexively drives the psoas major into spasm. Flattening the low back helps place the psoas in a better position to stretch. The psoas frequently becomes shortened due to prolonged sitting. The psoas is often involved in low back pain. Sustained psoas spasm creates chronic mechanical stress on the disc it attaches to, progressively weakening it. The psoas is a hip flexor and one of the strongest muscles in the body. The psoas can be difficult to stretch effectively without help.