This is part two of my detailed articles about two confusing muscles of the hip that many people blame for chronic pain with either back or hip problems, when in reality these muscles are merely reacting to dysfunction created elsewhere and trying to improve stability. The two muscles I am referring to are the quadratus lumborum which I discussed in part one, and Psoas Major which I am analyzing in this article. Without a doubt this is one of the most misunderstood muscles in terms of its function and as a result its influence on dysfunction around the hip and pelvis. For a long time it Psoas has been referred to as a “hip flexor muscle” and blamed for creating excessive anterior tilt of the pelvis which is a common postural fault with back pain and hip related problems. However when you observe its attachments and how it functions you find out it is more of a stabilizing muscle that posterior rotates the pelvis! The bigger problem is more to do with a lesser known muscle called Illiacus that works very closely with the psoas major. This changes everything in how you would try to restore function and stability to hip and pelvic problems and in this article I will attempt to explain how this works and the best ways to restore hip function.
Are Your Tight Hips The Cause Of Your Back Pain & Knee Pain?
Anybody who has had back pain, hip or groin pain before will know how frustrating this type of injury can be to shift. Apart from the frustration of re-occurrence if the underlying cause is not found and resolved, there is a stack of other injuries that are likely to follow if intelligent changes are not made. This article is intended to show you our most effective rehabilitation and injury prevention methods (injury tests, best stretches and exercises) that we have used successfully with many clients (see testimonials) for over 20 years working as Rehabilitation specialists in Melbourne. Our goal is to address the whole problem of your pain or injury, looking closely for the source of the problem so we can help you attain long term balance and optimal function. The hip joint, along with the ankles, is a joint we find where most of the troubles originate. It is also often missed in diagnosis of injury, as it may not present with pain, instead it will show stiffness and a lack of mobility. The hips are designed to be very mobile, having to withstand both direct loading stresses and large rotational forces with weight-bearing activities. It is especially vulnerable to injury in sports that involve pivoting or twisting movements, such as soccer, football, tennis and golf. Because the muscles around the hip joint attach directly on to the joint capsule, they have a large influence on the range of movement. And why we need explosive rotation in sports and even in some daily activities, these forces place tremendous strain on your ligaments, tendons and muscular structures designed to protect the joint. The failure to adequately control these forces can lead to chronic pain and a lifetime of restricted movement!