Ischemia, then, sets the stage for Iliopsoas Syndrome. Like a clenched fist in which the knuckle goes white, persistently contracted abdominal muscles push a healthy blood flow out of the abdominal region setting the stage for the iliopsoas to become ischemic. Abdominal clenching reduces flood flow to the region.Abdominal clenching - that is, the abdominal muscles held in a persistently contracted state - reduces the space and capacity for the diaphragm to flex downward, thus disabling a full breath, and severely limiting the beneficial downward pressure on the water balloon-like peritoneum.In shallow or paradoxical breathing, the abdominal muscles can remain clenched causing two unwanted effects: When our breathing is shallow or paradoxical, on the other hand, the diaphragm does not flex down fully in this beneficial manner. That's an extraordinary opportunity for the action of breathing to be exerting a positive impact on the psoas. That calculates to 720 to 1200 breaths per hour or 17,280 to 28,800 breaths in a 24 hour period. The normal respiratory rate for an adult is 12 to 20 breaths per minute. With every breath, this bulging and reshaping acts as a kind of massage for the psoas. In normal, healthy, relaxed breathing, the diaphragm flexes down on this water balloon causing it to flex and bulge. Imagine this sac as being like a big water balloon. Side view.Īll these organs are contained within a sac called the peritoneum. When hypercontraction causes this muscle to become functionally short, the psoas distort the lumbar vertebrae and can contribute to pelvic torsion.ĭigestive organs packed in below the diaphragm and in front of the psoas. It can also assist in extending the lumbar spine in conjunction with the muscles of the back. This is the muscle which lifts the leg to take a step in walking.īut due to its attachment along the lumbar spine, the psoas plays a major role in maintaining upright posture. The primary function of the iliopsoas is hip flexion, also known as flexion of the thigh. The iliacus muscle attaches to the upper two-thirds of the iliac fossa then descends to join the psoas major tendon, with some of its fibers attaching directly to the femur at the lesser trochanter. The psoas major attaches along the lumbar spine and intervertebral discs then descends obliquely to attach at the upper inner thigh bone, called the lesser trochanter of the femur. Comprised of two muscles - the iliacus and the psoas - there are two separate origins (or starting attachments to bone) but one common insertion (ending attachment to bone). The iliopsoas muscle is one of the most complex and least understood muscles in the body. The iliopsoas is comprised of two muscles: the iliacus and the psoas.
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