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Trigger point treatment on psoas major muscle

Hi to all,

I am a new member of this nice forum and I am from Italy.

I graduated as a massotherapist in Genova at Scuola di Massaggio ArteCorpo, which I found very good. I graduated in their Traditional Massage course and specialized in different second level courses.

I have one question about the trigger point treatment on a psoas major muscle. As you know the iliopsoas runs across the ileopubic eminence through the muscular lacuna to its insertion on the lesser trochanter of the femur. This muscle can be treated with a deep techniques in its abdominal part, which I know pretty well, but also in his insertion on the lesser trochanter, which on the other hand I find pretty difficult to apply. Has anyone of you ever tried that? In case, could you please give me some hints about that?

Many thanks!

Ilaria

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Permalink Reply by Gordon J. Wallis on February 10, 2015 at 11:04pm

I'm not sure what you are asking? But I never have had to go deep into the abdominal area in order to release a Psoas trigger point. Its too invasive, and the chances for collateral damage( mild or worse), is just too high. Not to mention the clients unnecessary discomfort. And some clients are too unhealthy to even attempt it. There are easier ways to release a trigger pointed Psoas without pain, discomfort or collateral damage. There is a distinct pain pattern for a trigger pointed Psoas. The attachment below shows the typical pain patterns. Sometimes the dimples around the SI joint are also painful. But I like to go through the back door(explain later)to release trigger points in that muscle, if its needed. And I say if it's needed because I have had clients come in and tell me that they have a tight Psoas because another theapist told them that. But when I check em out.. They don't. If those pain patterns are not there then it does not have to be released. But this technique that I will try to discribe here, the worst thing that can happen is nothing. So its safe to use without worry reguardless if the Psoas is trigger pointed or not. Its not invasive. Its not brutal. That going though the abdominal wall is Midieval if you ask me. Ok so here we go with the technique. This will release any trigger point on the attachment below. Here is a statement thats important. When one muscle gets tight another muscle gets loose. When a muscle contracts its antagonists relax. If you want to relax or release the Psoas you want to stress or tighten its antagonists(Gluteus max, hamstings, sacrospinalis). Have your client lay on his back(supine). Lift his leg, thats on the trigger pointed Psoas side, about 12 degrees up off the table. You are holding the heel of his foot. Have the client hold their breath and with only ten percent of their strength push down against your supporting hand. That will tighten the hamstrings and the Glute, relaxing the trigger pointes Psoas.

Attachments:

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Permalink Reply by Gordon J. Wallis on February 10, 2015 at 11:16pm

My Ipad locked up and was unable to finish describing the technique.. Now I will continue on. The cleint holds their breath only till they begin to feel uncomfortable. They are not trying to break a recored. And they are only using 10% of their strength matching your supporting hand. When they relax and take a breath, thats it. Wait a few seconds and repeat that process three to five times. Then the next time you see them. In two to five days. Repeat that again. It might take four sessions to wipe out the Psoas trigger points for good. If you can.. Use your free hand and lightly place or press on the TP at the lesser trochantor or over one of the pain zones as you do the technique. The whole thing is based on the Reciprocal Inhaibition Reflex. There is no escape from it.. Its hard wired into the body.. I ususally don't talk about techniques cause they are kind of hard to discribe without you being there and watching it done. But that technique works as best as I can discribe it. I hope that gives you some insight as to your question.

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Permalink Reply by Ilaria Scott on February 11, 2015 at 5:08am

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Permalink Reply by Ilaria Scott on February 11, 2015 at 5:09am

Hi Gordon, and many thanks for your reply. I knew the technique you're indicating, and I commonly used it . Let me say that the abdominal technique I was referring to is not a massage technique, it's an osteopathic deep treatment of the lumbar sector of the psoas major. It's a little bit more invasive than common massage or stretching technique, I agree, but not that much if you ask your patient to flex the same side leg and you're used to it. It's not medieval anyway...;). Thanks again.

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Permalink Reply by Gordon J. Wallis on February 11, 2015 at 1:37pm

If you have used the technique that I talked about, then you know how easy effective and efficient it is. And everyone in here knows how or has heard about going deeply into the abdominal wall to release the Psoas( it's all over youtube). So you obviously know how to release the Psoas. I'm confused? What's your question again? Maybe somebody in here can answer it for you.

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Permalink Reply by Gordon J. Wallis on February 11, 2015 at 11:31pm

I learned that technique from a guy named Hank Krebes, a highly intelligent massage therapist, who did a lot of thinking on things. He invented that technique.
Gordon J. Wallis said:

If you have used the technique that I talked about, then you know how easy effective and efficient it is. And everyone in here knows how or has heard about going deeply into the abdominal wall to release the Psoas( it's all over youtube). So you obviously know how to release the Psoas. I'm confused? What's your question again? Maybe somebody in here can answer it for you.