What if your lower back pain was coming from stress or trauma stored in your psoas?

The Psoas Muscle: Where Trauma Lives and How to Heal It

The psoas muscle, often called the “muscle of the soul,” plays a vital role in physical and emotional well-being. It’s a deep-seated core muscle connecting the spine to the legs, crucial for stability, posture, and movement. However, the psoas also has a less-known function: it can store unprocessed trauma and stress, often manifesting in ways that affect both body and mind.

How Does the Psoas Hold Trauma?

The psoas is closely linked to the body’s fight-or-flight response. When we experience stress or trauma, this muscle tightens to prepare the body to act. If the stress isn’t released, the tension can become chronic, leaving the psoas in a contracted state. Over time, this can result in:

• Lower back pain

• Pelvic instability

• Digestive discomfort

• Difficulty breathing deeply

• Anxiety or a sense of unease

Emotionally, tension in the psoas can mirror unresolved trauma or emotional blocks. Since the muscle is located near the body’s center of gravity, its tension can disrupt a feeling of balance—both physically and emotionally.

How Trauma in the Psoas Can Present

Common signs include:

• Tightness or pain in the hips and lower back: This is often mistaken for general tightness but may be deeper-rooted.

• Postural issues: A tight psoas can pull the pelvis forward, causing an exaggerated curve in the lower back.

• Emotional releases: During stretches or massage targeting the psoas, some people experience feelings of sadness, anxiety, or even a sense of relief, as emotional tension is released.

How to Alleviate Psoas Tension

Releasing trauma stored in the psoas involves both physical and emotional care. Here are some approaches:

1. Stretching and Yoga

   • Poses like the pigeon pose, lunges, and child’s pose help gently lengthen the psoas.

   • Practices focused on mindfulness, like yin yoga, can support emotional release.

2. Massage Therapy

   • Targeted bodywork can release physical tension and improve circulation in the area, helping alleviate pain and stiffness.

3. Breathwork

   • The diaphragm and psoas are interconnected. Deep, diaphragmatic breathing can help release tension and improve your ability to relax.

4. Somatic Exercises

   • Mind-body techniques like somatic experiencing or trauma-informed movement help release stored stress gradually and safely.

5. Holistic Treatments

   • Dry cupping and acupuncture can support relaxation, increase circulation, and relieve muscle tension.

How I Can Help

In my holistic treatments, I take an integrative approach to addressing psoas tension. Whether through massage, cupping, or guided stretches, I aim to provide both physical relief and emotional support. Together, we can identify and address any underlying imbalances, helping you feel more grounded and free in your movement.

Are you ready to reconnect with your body and release what’s holding you back? Book a session today and take the first step toward lasting relief. 🌟