Two years after the wonderful experience of giving birth to my son and becoming a mother (in 2007) I began experiencing debilitating pain in my lower back and hips, which eventually began to affect my day-to-day activities and my ability to work.
From Pain to Healing: My Journey with the Psoas and Bowen Therapy
Fortunately, I was introduced to the Bowen technique through a colleague (at a clinic where I was working as a massage therapist and reflexologist). Up until that point I had received treatments from Osteopaths and chiropractors but nothing seemed to alleviate the pain.
My Bowen therapist explained that the pain I had correlated to my psoas muscle. She explained that the psoas is an area of the body that holds stress (trauma) on a cellular level, whether it is emotional or physiological, and I had experienced both (as most of us have).
This particular part of the anatomy I find fascinating as the mind and body connection is clearly connected. Since I trained in giving the Bowen technique 11 years ago, I have been very privileged to help many others with similar conditions to mine. I have also observed many clients where the relationship between trauma and the psoas have been clearly present, and witnessed their transformation from the Bowen sessions.
The Psoas Muscle
The Psoas muscle connects our lumbar spine to our inner thighs, passing through our hip joint. This crucial connection between our back and legs allows us to run and kick, essential actions in fight-or-flight scenarios.
When our nervous system detects danger, it signals the Psoas to activate, preparing us to flee from predators or defend ourselves. This neural communication between the brain and muscles is bidirectional. The brain can trigger the Psoas, and a flexed Psoas sends signals back to the brain, indicating a need for support. This feedback loop prompts the release of cortisol and adrenaline, vital for survival.
The Stressed Out Psoas
In cases of chronic stress or trauma, the Psoas often remains in a state of constant flexion. When our nervous system is hyper-vigilant, our brain and muscles are perpetually ready for action, unable to differentiate between modern stressors and life-threatening situations. This can lead to a continuous fight-or-flight response.
Identifying a Tight Psoas
Consider the following questions:
- What is your average day like? Do you sit most of the day?
- Have you experienced significant stress or trauma?
- Do you frequently suffer from lower back pain?
- Do you often feel anxious?
If you answered yes to any of these, you might have a tight Psoas, affecting both your physical and emotional well-being due to the neural signals it sends when tense.
A flexible and strong Psoas = good posture = improved wellbeing
The Psoas is also linked to the diaphragm, a major breathing muscle. Tightness in the Psoas restricts diaphragm movement, limiting our ability to take full breaths. Shallow breathing keeps the body in a sympathetic (fight-flight) state, inhibiting the parasympathetic (rest-digest) system. This can impair digestion, immune function, and overall health.
When the psoas muscle becomes tense, it tilts the pelvis, disrupting spinal alignment and leading to poor posture.
Poor posture can be associated with depression and stress. Studies show that maintaining good posture during stressful situations can improve our stress management. A flexible and strong psoas muscle supports a well-aligned posture, contributing to overall well-being.
Addressing a Tight Psoas
Cellular memory and trauma is held in our connective tissue (fascia) not just in our brain cells. The Bowen technique allows the body to release and restore itself. It also helps to reset (re-boot) our body’s nervous system, almost like flipping a switch that puts us back into rest, repair and digest (parasympathetic nervous system).
Let’s face it we all need that in our lives!!
Dealing with long term stress and trauma can be incredibly challenging so it’s good to know that Bowen is there to help.
Ways to engage and support your parasympathetic nervous system.
- Bowen Therapy
- Breath work
- Mediation
- Yoga
- TRE trauma release exercise
- Somatic exercise
- Rest
“Your mind is in every cell of your body”
~ Candice Pert; a neuroscientist and pharmacologist who discovered the opioid receptor, the cellular binding site for endorphins in the brain.
