Psoas Release
By: Lisa Kitchen
The psoas is the deepest abdominal muscle, originating on the spine near the solar plexus and inserting at the top of the femur. The purpose of the psoas has, until the late nineties, been somewhat of a mystery. Additionally, the common consensus remains that the psoas muscle is one that is out of reach and cannot be directly palpated or massaged. As I was taught how to perform the psoas release, the instructor explained that this technique was not widely known, but amazingly effective. As the technique was demonstrated on me in the classroom, my psoas muscle was definitely palpated, massaged, and lengthened. And, the therapeutic results were amazing.
A psoas release can help to relieve a range of physical symptoms including back, hip, knee, and leg pain, poor posture, menstrual cramps, sleep difficulties, misalignment of gate, and improper foot rotation. Emotionally, the psoas release can also assist with easing the emotional restraints still present from deep-seated fears and trauma.
Scientific experts had difficulty determining exactly what the psoas’ purpose was. In animals, the psoas equivalent is known as the ‘tenderloin’. Because it is the only muscle that attaches the spine to the legs, it is primarily responsible for the fluid motion of walking, but also assists in flexing and rotating the thigh, and flexing the pelvis. The psoas is also the first muscle to contract and the last muscle to relax during the ‘fight or flight’ response that arises with fear, and has a great deal to do with your ‘gut instincts’.
Much like any species, people are born with the ability to protect themselves. When faced with a fearful or dangerous situation, the strong psoas muscle is (1) the source of the ‘jolt’ we receive when we’re surprised, (2) the power behind the initial burst of speed when we need to get away, and (3) the primary muscle used when ‘playing dead’ until danger passes. It also causes the reflex of the spine when a person assumes the fetal position.
Once my instructor made contact with my psoas, I felt a sudden urge to get away, then relaxed, breathed through it, and ultimately also experienced a powerful physical and emotional release. Like a slide-show, images of specific moments (primarily during my childhood) flashed like photography in my mind’s eye. At that moment, even though the images where troublesome and frightening, it wasn’t scary or confusing -- like it was when I was a child. Rather, it was insightful. Physically, after the procedure, I felt an inch taller and had the euphoric feeling of being somewhat weightless. It was very much the same as any great massage, but the effects felt like they had some permanency to them. It was later, after performing a number of psoas releases on other people, that I found out they had very similar responses.
Because the psoas is a deep - and thoroughly protected - muscle, it is a perfect place for the body to store deeply-rooted emotions. Sometimes we encounter difficulties or trauma that we are unable to deal with at the time. The hormones, and other biological neurotransmitters, released by the brain when we have the fight or flight response are often stored and retained in the deepest muscles of our body. During the massage, as the psoas is palpated, massaged, and lengthened, the body responds with increased blood circulation, improved lymphatic function (eliminating toxins), and decreased stress. Oxygen supply is increased by encouraging blood flow toward the heart. As muscle and other tissues are manipulated, many toxins are loosened into the blood flow. Then, as muscles relax, rich oxygenated blood is supplied to those tissues that were otherwise constricted. Each of these benefits combine to create conditions within the body that can help restore health to damaged tissue and increase range of motion (and emotion).
As I was laying on the table, aware that I was in a safe and secure learning environment, I experienced this deep physiological response during the psoas release. I was reminded of circumstances that were, as a child, beyond my control. I was basically helpless and unsure how to deal with the situation. When I asked for help, it seemed that it just brought on more trouble. So, I internalized. I played dead. I gritted my teeth and waited for it to pass.
After the release, I felt more aware of myself than ever. I realized that I had been internalizing most of my life. The emotional barriers that had been erected physiologically were shattered in that moment. I was free. It felt like I could move forward and leave those barriers in the dust.
Since then, I have experienced a greater peace and an increased sense of self-awareness. I feel that I have a better understanding of how my early childhood experiences helped to shape my life. I also understood better how my relationships were effected by these barriers, and how to better relate in situations involving stress. More importantly, I realized that I am no longer that small child that was so ill-equipped to deal with my circumstances. I am a grown adult, with a lifetime of learning, experience, wisdom and ability.
This is the similar response that I have seen in others. It is so fulfilling to not only bring physical relief to a person in pain, but to also help them relieve themselves of the emotional burdens that they carry. Maybe that was the sense of weightlessness that I felt. I think so.
The psoas is the deepest abdominal muscle, originating on the spine near the solar plexus and inserting at the top of the femur. The purpose of the psoas has, until the late nineties, been somewhat of a mystery. Additionally, the common consensus remains that the psoas muscle is one that is out of reach and cannot be directly palpated or massaged. As I was taught how to perform the psoas release, the instructor explained that this technique was not widely known, but amazingly effective. As the technique was demonstrated on me in the classroom, my psoas muscle was definitely palpated, massaged, and lengthened. And, the therapeutic results were amazing.
A psoas release can help to relieve a range of physical symptoms including back, hip, knee, and leg pain, poor posture, menstrual cramps, sleep difficulties, misalignment of gate, and improper foot rotation. Emotionally, the psoas release can also assist with easing the emotional restraints still present from deep-seated fears and trauma.
Scientific experts had difficulty determining exactly what the psoas’ purpose was. In animals, the psoas equivalent is known as the ‘tenderloin’. Because it is the only muscle that attaches the spine to the legs, it is primarily responsible for the fluid motion of walking, but also assists in flexing and rotating the thigh, and flexing the pelvis. The psoas is also the first muscle to contract and the last muscle to relax during the ‘fight or flight’ response that arises with fear, and has a great deal to do with your ‘gut instincts’.
Much like any species, people are born with the ability to protect themselves. When faced with a fearful or dangerous situation, the strong psoas muscle is (1) the source of the ‘jolt’ we receive when we’re surprised, (2) the power behind the initial burst of speed when we need to get away, and (3) the primary muscle used when ‘playing dead’ until danger passes. It also causes the reflex of the spine when a person assumes the fetal position.
Once my instructor made contact with my psoas, I felt a sudden urge to get away, then relaxed, breathed through it, and ultimately also experienced a powerful physical and emotional release. Like a slide-show, images of specific moments (primarily during my childhood) flashed like photography in my mind’s eye. At that moment, even though the images where troublesome and frightening, it wasn’t scary or confusing -- like it was when I was a child. Rather, it was insightful. Physically, after the procedure, I felt an inch taller and had the euphoric feeling of being somewhat weightless. It was very much the same as any great massage, but the effects felt like they had some permanency to them. It was later, after performing a number of psoas releases on other people, that I found out they had very similar responses.
Because the psoas is a deep - and thoroughly protected - muscle, it is a perfect place for the body to store deeply-rooted emotions. Sometimes we encounter difficulties or trauma that we are unable to deal with at the time. The hormones, and other biological neurotransmitters, released by the brain when we have the fight or flight response are often stored and retained in the deepest muscles of our body. During the massage, as the psoas is palpated, massaged, and lengthened, the body responds with increased blood circulation, improved lymphatic function (eliminating toxins), and decreased stress. Oxygen supply is increased by encouraging blood flow toward the heart. As muscle and other tissues are manipulated, many toxins are loosened into the blood flow. Then, as muscles relax, rich oxygenated blood is supplied to those tissues that were otherwise constricted. Each of these benefits combine to create conditions within the body that can help restore health to damaged tissue and increase range of motion (and emotion).
As I was laying on the table, aware that I was in a safe and secure learning environment, I experienced this deep physiological response during the psoas release. I was reminded of circumstances that were, as a child, beyond my control. I was basically helpless and unsure how to deal with the situation. When I asked for help, it seemed that it just brought on more trouble. So, I internalized. I played dead. I gritted my teeth and waited for it to pass.
After the release, I felt more aware of myself than ever. I realized that I had been internalizing most of my life. The emotional barriers that had been erected physiologically were shattered in that moment. I was free. It felt like I could move forward and leave those barriers in the dust.
Since then, I have experienced a greater peace and an increased sense of self-awareness. I feel that I have a better understanding of how my early childhood experiences helped to shape my life. I also understood better how my relationships were effected by these barriers, and how to better relate in situations involving stress. More importantly, I realized that I am no longer that small child that was so ill-equipped to deal with my circumstances. I am a grown adult, with a lifetime of learning, experience, wisdom and ability.
This is the similar response that I have seen in others. It is so fulfilling to not only bring physical relief to a person in pain, but to also help them relieve themselves of the emotional burdens that they carry. Maybe that was the sense of weightlessness that I felt. I think so.