Comments on: Pilates, Psoas & Back Pain

By: Teaching with a theme within a Pilates instructional field | Pilates Digest

Teaching with a theme within a Pilates instructional field | Pilates Digest — Sun, 19 Jun 2011 02:22:08 +0000

[...] the exercises unfold, but each exercise has a gentle reminder of the early minutes of class. Is the pelvic floor being engaged? Does the class remember how they found these muscles? Can they recall the physical [...]

By: Twitter Tweets about Back Pain as of March 26, 2010 | BACK PAIN TWEETS

Twitter Tweets about Back Pain as of March 26, 2010 | BACK PAIN TWEETS — Fri, 26 Mar 2010 21:49:20 +0000

[...] wrong with me? 2010-03-26 17:59:35 · Reply · View Valeria_T78: Currently reading http://www.pilatesdigest.com/pilates-psoas-back-pain/ 2010-03-26 17:59:21 · Reply · View benstereo: Fell asleep. Sat up. Back pain. [...]

By: Lynda Lippin

Lynda Lippin — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 15:19:19 +0000

Now, the psoas is NOT a primary extender as it doesn’t really shorten, so when functioning healthily it holds the lumbar vertebrae stable and acts as a primary stabilizer of the lumbar curve. However, when it is dysfunctional and acting out the psoas can cause those lumbar vetebrae to pull forward or even sideways.

The psoas should not be trained as an extensor but as a neutral stabilizer of the lumbar spine.

By: Lynda Lippin

Lynda Lippin — Sun, 25 Oct 2009 19:34:37 +0000

Mike, remember that the psoas connects the legs to the lumbar spine and hence is the only anterior muscle that can pull the lumbar vertebrae forward into, yes, extension! And you are right, it is a remarkable notion.

By: Mike Perry

Mike Perry — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 14:07:37 +0000

The psoas is a lumbar extensor?!?! A muscle anterior to the spine that extends is a remarkable notion.

By: Psoas update | Pilates Scene

Psoas update | Pilates Scene — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 06:50:05 +0000

[...] There is a new comment on the post “Pilates, Psoas & Back Pain“. [...]

By: Andrew Brooks

Andrew Brooks — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 11:19:08 +0000

its a muscle get over it

By: Tracy Coleman

Tracy Coleman — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 00:09:58 +0000

I like what Liz is saying about a bio-intellegent tissue, however aren’t all our tissues therefore bio-intellegent, all having a role in proprioception? Due to position the psoas will always play a role in hip flexion, how could it not – however, the idea that it is much more than a hip flexor is something I am glad to hear – the psoas has long, i feel, been an under-rated muscle and the true functioning is far more than just a hip flexor. As for anatomy being anatomy that cannont change, it is the functioning of the muscle that is in question. in isolation the positioning of the muscle would suggest hip flexion, however once the body is operating as a complete unit the collective functioning of all systems comes into play, and it is fair to say that the psoas is far more functional in a synergistic postural role, opposed to a prime mover.

By: ian mari

ian mari — Sat, 13 Jun 2009 05:08:17 +0000

Anatomy is anatomy and that cannot be changed unless an anomalous tendon grew over your psoas.The psoas is a hip flexor in an open kinematic chain and is a strong lumbar extensor in a closed kinematic chain esp when your center of gravity is lent slightly anterior to the hip ( lordosis ).Coupled by your iliacus which has the same line of pull, it really flexes your hip.

By: Liz Koch

Liz Koch — Sun, 07 Jun 2009 06:23:44 +0000

I’d like to suggest letting go of the idea that the psoas is a hip flexor at all. As the messenger of the central nervous system the psoas is a proprioceptive bio-intelligent tissue that gives feedback where you are in space and time. This SMART-TISSUE is behind the hip flexors along the spine and functions neutral to flexion and extension movement. I am particularly jazzed right now as I recently interviewed Power-lifter Deric Stockton. Deric has a very functional, supple, dynamic iliopsoas and at age 40 around 200 pounds can powerlift 800 pounds. He and I will be teaching a workshop on Core Strength in early 2010. So I told him how I view the psoas and after giving it some thought and focus he agrees with me. We hope to write an article later this summer together to begin changing the conversation about the psoas. Every one who wrote above is right -on about release verses stretch etc. Great psoas information – but when one lets go of the idea thatt he psoas is hip flexor at all – look out – it means having a electrically charged midline that is responsive, centered, juicy, and very powerful!

By: How’s your Psoas doin’? | Pilates Scene

How’s your Psoas doin’? | Pilates Scene — Sun, 17 May 2009 10:50:01 +0000

[...] Pilates Pro introduced me to Liz’ work and I have since come across her website, podcast and many publications. Her book ‘The Psoas Book’ was available in the US but was SOO expensive I just couldn’t manage it. The good news is that mp3 files from the book are available at amazon.com for a few dollars. Pick your own chapter. [...]

By: Melissa Turnock

Melissa Turnock — Fri, 27 Mar 2009 06:17:00 +0000

This link is an informative explanation of constructive rest position, I like the use of the word ‘suspend’.
http://www.yogajournal.com/practice/169

By: Elaine Ewing

Elaine Ewing — Sat, 21 Mar 2009 17:21:00 +0000

There is a difference between resting and stretching. The constructive rest position is not a hip flexor stretch, it is a release. The reason why this is a release even though the hip is in flexion is because the hip flexor is not actively working to support the leg. If one were standing upright and lifted one leg up with a bent knee, the hip flexor would be working to hold that leg up. But when the feet are flat on the mat and the client is laying down, gravity, the feet, and rest of the body are helping to support the legs. Therefore, the hip flexor can begin releasing into its natural length.

There are many cues that help relax the body in this position. The more the back of the body can relax and widen on the mat, the better for the hip flexors to release. Some other people here have mentioned excellent resources for ideas of visual cues. Mabel Todd is another awesome author who writes extensively on this stuff. Hope this was helpful!

By: Lesley Powell

Lesley Powell — Fri, 20 Mar 2009 17:54:25 +0000

When the psoas is tight, it will affect the pelvis in any position. The best way to understand constructive rest is to practice it.
Lie on your back with your knees bent. How is your spine resting on the floor? Observe the connections of the illiacus, psoas minor and major at the lesser trochanter and then where the top of the psoas connects towards the spine. Try resting in constructive rest position (CPR) for 15 minutes. How does your spine feel now? How has relaxation changed the length of the muscles and how your bones rest on the floor?

Other sources for information: Eric Franklin, Andre Bernard, Liz Koch.

By: Karen Roodman

Karen Roodman — Fri, 13 Mar 2009 01:37:43 +0000

If the psoas is the primary hip flexor, how can it be at rest in a flexed position. I was under the impression the hip needed to be in neutral or slightly extended to create a stretch. I have also been taught that a bit of medial rotation of the femur will allow the iliacus to stretch, getting the iliopsoas in a comprehensive stretch. Please help me better understand the constructive rest position. Thanks!

By: lee artur

lee artur — Tue, 03 Mar 2009 22:38:11 +0000

“the constructive rest position is one in which the pull of gravity aids in reducing muscle strain and in balancing the relaxation of musacles throughout the body” Lulu Sweigard Human Movement Potential