PSOAS - O músculo da alma

The psoas muscle is one of the deepest and most important muscles in our body. It originates on the sides of the vertebral bodies of vertebrae T12 to L5 and the transverse processes of these vertebrae. From there, it descends through the pelvis and inserts into the lesser trochanter of the femur, at the top of the thigh bone. The psoas plays a crucial role in various body movements. Its main function is hip flexion, essential for lifting the leg when walking, running, and climbing stairs. It also contributes to the stability of the lumbar spine and assists in the external rotation of the femur. A strong and flexible psoas is fundamental for maintaining good posture and performing daily movements efficiently. It is anatomically close to the diaphragm, the main muscle of respiration, sharing vertebral insertions. This proximity means that there is a functional interaction between the two muscles. During situations of stress and anxiety, our breathing tends to become shorter and shallower, which leads to an overuse of the diaphragm. This excessive activation of the diaphragm can, in turn, influence the psoas, causing an exaggerated activation of the muscle. When the psoas is excessively activated, it can contract continuously, resulting in tension and discomfort in the lumbar region. This process can create a vicious cycle, where anxiety leads to shortness of breath, which overloads the diaphragm and psoas, causing lower back pain and further increasing stress. Precisely because of this characteristic, this muscle is considered the "muscle of the soul," being a point of connection between our body and our emotions, and its tension can reflect emotional states, such as anxiety, influencing our balance, stability, and overall well-being.