My Love for the PSOAS Major Muscle
Dr. Carlock is a board certified Chiropractic Physician practicing in Gulf Breeze, Florida who has safely and effectively treated thousands of patients since 1994. He is the Founder of the BPR Method™️, CEO of Balance Medical, LLC, and the Clinic Director of Balance Chiropractic. He is also the director of BPR Consulting... more
The psoas major is a long muscle located on either side of the lumbar region of the spine. It joins the iliacus muscle to form the iliopsoas.
I have always had a fascination with this muscle group, and it is the number one functional aspect of the BPR Method™ that I believe drives my patient outcomes when it comes to back pain. You could say I have a myofascial romance with this muscle group. I know I sound crazy...but I absolutely love seeing new patients who have been to see everyone under the sun for their back problem with little or no success. Why you ask? Because it is the singular muscle group that gives me the greatest indication, from a functional stand point, as to what is going on bio-mechanically and it correlates nearly 99% of the time with your symptoms.
The most common conditions I see associated with a functionally shortened psoas muscle are lower back pain, hip pain, sciatic pain, IT Band syndrome....just to name a few. When this muscle group is functionally shortened on one side, there is always pelvic torsion involved along with Sacroiliac joint pain. With the BPR Method™ approach we look to the feet as the culprit of a functionally shortened psoas muscle. A few simple tests along with a computerized GaitScan™ utilizing dynamic analysis will demonstrate the underlying bio-mechanical disorder. Usually overpronation of the foot on the involved side.
Correction of this begins with prescribing a pair of custom foot orthotics from The Orthotic Group. That will, in my clinical experience, proprioceptively inhibit this overactive muscle and allow for effective myofascial work and rehabilitation to be performed with incredible and lasting results. This foundational approach to correction has been successful for thousands of my patients since 1994. Until next time...be gracious, be thankful, and be hopeful.
