Chronic Low Back Pain (Iliopsoas Syndrome)
One of the most common causes of low back pain involves a hip flexor muscle called the “Iliopsoas”. The Iliopsoas muscle is a hip flexor that attaches itself to the lumbar spine down to the femur (thigh bone) crossing the hip joint. It is important in the functions of walking, standing and running. This hip flexor can shorten over time, especially when sitting for long periods of time. Prolonged sitting can lead to the muscles getting use to 90 degree, flexed position. The Iliopsoas muscles may have trouble returning to its normal length when trying to stand, pulling on the low back. If this is the case for you, once contracted, a spasm in this muscle cannot lengthen on its own, making it hard to stand up straight. That is why I made this segment of showing the proper way to do the “Hurdler Stretch”. In order to relieve the spasm this muscle must be stretched back to its normal length by an aggressive stretch. It has also been my observation that the Quadriceps Muscle known as the Rectus Femoris has to be involved in the stretch because of its attachment to the thigh bone (Femur), the Pelvic (hip) and the Tibia Bone (shin).
Please watch the video and ask any questions.
This video shows the best way to stretch the low back .The Iliopsoas Muscle is a hip flexor that can create a pain pattern that flows to the small of your back when aggravated. Most trainers will avoid this stretch, but it’s the only way to effectively stretch the Iliopsoas Muscle and Rectus Femoris Muscle (one of the four quadriceps).
Thanks
John the Bodyman
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