If you love to run and you wake up with your low back hurting, your psoas muscle may be tight. Below is some information about this muscle, symptoms you will have if it is tight, and some treatment options for you.

Psoas Muscle

If your psoas muscle, also known as core stabilizers, is functioning properly, it helps you sit upright, stay balanced when you are standing, and helps with spinal alignment. You also use this muscle when you are running, walking, twisting, and bending.

The psoas muscle is long and is located on the side of your lumbar spine and adjacent to your pelvic area. This muscle connects to your iliopsoas muscles. This muscle also connects your legs to your spine.

Symptoms of a Tight Psoas Muscle

If your psoas muscle is tight, you will likely have pain in your groin and deep pelvic pain. When standing, your butt may stick out and your belly may protrude. This is because your pelvis will shift forward. You will have problems with stride length when walking or running. You will feel low back pain and pain in your hip. Your hamstrings may compensate for the psoas muscle, and they may become tight because of this.

Diagnosis and Treatment for a Tight Psoas Muscle

When you visit your doctor, they may have you lie on your back and try to pull you knees up to your chest to see if you feel any pain. If you feel a tight stretch in your abdominal area and the front of your upper thighs, then your psoas muscle is likely too tight.  The doctor may also order tests, such as a MRI so they can see the muscle.

If your muscle is found to be too tight, your doctor will ask you to stop running until you are healed. Once you are healed, the doctor will likely ask you to slowly get back to running again. For example, they may have you start out walking first. The doctor will send you to a sports injury physical therapist as part of your treatment. This therapist will teach you different stretching exercises, and perform manipulation and massage. The therapist will ask you to do stretching and other exercises at home as part of your treatment. The doctor may give you anti-inflammatories to help release the muscle, as well as pain medication.

See your doctor immediately if you have any of these symptoms. The sooner you start your treatment, the quicker you can get back to running again. Contact a business, such as Advanced Physical Therapy, for more information about treatment.