Psoas

Psoas

Psoas

Stretches

Stretches

Psoas HIP Stretch for All laying on a bed

Psoas HIP Stretch for All laying on a bed

How to perform the stretch:

1. Start in laying on your back position
2. Choose the muscle or hip you intend to stretch
3. Lower this target hip off the side of the bed
4. Extend the target hip towards the floor (gravity assisted)
5. Flex the opposite hip and knee towards the torso
6. Grasp hold of this opposite knee with the hands and pull towards the chest to increase the stretch
7. Hold the stretch for 20 Seconds
8. Release the stretch

Psoas HIP Stretch for Beginners kneeling

Psoas HIP Stretch for Beginners kneeling

How to perform the stretch:

1. Start in a kneeling lunge position
2. Choose the muscle or hip you intend to stretch bringing this leg to the front
3. Keep the feet in line, with the back knee on the floor, the forward foot 1 metre in front with the forward knee flexed and positioned over the ankle
4. Keep your hands on your hips
5. Lean further forward into the stretch and thrust the hips forward (posterior pelvic tilt) to increase the stretch
6. Hold the stretch for 20 Seconds
7. Release the stretch

Psoas HIP Stretch for Intermediates kneeling

Psoas HIP Stretch for Intermediates kneeling

How to perform the stretch:

1. Start in a kneeling lunge position
2. Choose the muscle or hip you intend to stretch bringing this leg to the front
3. Keep the feet in line, with the back knee on the floor, the forward foot 1.2 metres in front with the forward knee flexed and positioned over the ankle
4. Keep your hands on your hips
5. Lean further forward into the stretch and thrust the hips forward (posterior pelvic tilt) to increase the stretch
6. Hold the stretch for 20 Seconds
7. Release the stretch

Psoas HIP Stretch for Advanced kneeling

Psoas HIP Stretch for Advanced kneeling

How to perform the stretch:

1. Start in a kneeling lunge position
2. Choose the muscle or hip you intend to stretch bringing this leg to the front
3. Keep the feet in line, with the back knee on the floor, the forward foot 1.4 metres in front with the forward knee flexed and positioned over the ankle
4. Keep your hands on your hips
5. Lean further forward into the stretch and thrust the hips forward (posterior pelvic tilt) to increase the stretch
6. Hold the stretch for 20 Seconds
7. Release the stretch

Psoas HIP Stretch for Beginners standing

Psoas HIP Stretch for Beginners standing

How to perform the stretch:

1. Start in a standing walking position with the feet 1 metre apart
2. Choose the muscle or hip you intend to stretch, positioning this target hip and leg to the rear
3. Position the hands on the hips
4. Lunge forward by flexing the forward-facing hip and knee to position the knee over the foot
5. Thrust the hips forward (posterior pelvic tilt) to increase the stretch
6. Hold the stretch for 20 Seconds
7. Release the stretch

Psoas HIP Stretch for Intermediates standing

Psoas HIP Stretch for Intermediates standing

How to perform the stretch:

1. Start in a standing walking position with the feet 1.2 metres apart
2. Choose the muscle or hip you intend to stretch, positioning this target hip and leg to the rear
3. Position the hands on the hips
4. Lunge forward by flexing the forward-facing hip and knee to position the knee over the foot
5. Thrust the hips forward (posterior pelvic tilt) to increase the stretch
6. Hold the stretch for 20 Seconds
7. Release the stretch

Psoas HIP Stretch for Advanced standing

Psoas HIP Stretch for Advanced standing

How to perform the stretch:

1. Start in a standing walking position with the feet 1.4 metres apart
2. Choose the muscle or hip you intend to stretch, positioning this target hip and leg to the rear
3. Position the hands on the hips
4. Lunge forward by flexing the forward-facing hip and knee to position the knee over the foot
5. Thrust the hips forward (posterior pelvic tilt) to increase the stretch
6. Hold the stretch for 20 Seconds
7. Release the stretch

Muscle Details

Muscle Details

The Iliopsoas muscle group is formed by two muscles that blend into one; the Iliacus and the Psoas Major (the Psoas Minor is only occasionally present). The Iliopsoas is the primary muscle involved in hip flexion.

Origin:

  • Transverse processes of L1 – L5, the vertebral bodies of T12 – L5 and the intervening vertebral discs.

Insertion:

  • Lesser trochanter of the femur.

Action:

  • Flexion and lateral rotation of the hip. Flexion & lateral flexion of the spinal joints and anterior pelvic tilt of the hip joint.

Tightness (hyper-contraction) of these muscles can cause hyperlordosis ‘sway back’ and is quite often present and causes pain for people who sit for long periods, such as desk workers or drivers.