Muscles
Iliopsoas
Primary hip flexor; psoas major also influences lumbar lordosis.
Overview
Primary hip flexor; psoas major also influences lumbar lordosis. Trigger points here are common in everyday and athletic populations and frequently contribute to the referred pain patterns described below.
Trigger point locations
Iliacus inside the iliac fossa; psoas major along the lumbar spine.
Referred pain pattern
Anterior hip and groin, with vertical 'low back' pain along the lumbar spine.
Palpation & testing
Palpate the muscle belly along its accessible course. Reproduction of the patient's familiar pain on palpation supports involvement.
Common causes
Prolonged sitting, sit-up overload, hip flexor dominance in running.
Self-care & clinical treatment
Hip flexor stretches, hip extension strengthening. Clinically: careful manual release; needling by trained clinicians.
Symptoms commonly linked
References
- • Travell & Simons — Myofascial Pain and Dysfunction