lineinthewater

Has anyone had experience with a tight psoas/iliopsoas muscle? I spent months trying to figure out what was causing my right abdominal and back pain, aggravated by sitting, cycling, sleeping, etc. I first thought it was an infection, or GI/bowel/etc problem, but tests came back normal. Last week, I finally went to a Physical Therapist, and he said he's 90% sure it's a tight (right) iliopsoas. If he's correct, I'll be very grateful to at least have a diagnosis. I've been doing stretches for the past few days, but no change so far.

I've ridden the same bike, with almost the same bike fit, for many years; I haven't had chronic pain until recently. Admittedly, I've been pushing it harder recently, and that might have been the catalyst. Now it seems to start weakening/spasming/radiating, like clockwork, every afternoon, no doubt from sitting in front of my computer. I've slightly moved my bike seat forward, but that hasn't done much.

I'm just curious if anyone has had a similar issue and how they eventually broke free from the pain?

bikebreak

this, don't do this. (I'm standing right now at mine)


Maybe work on glutes and hip abductors generally, which are on the opposite side of the psoas

lineinthewater

I don't have a setup to allow this, but I'll think about investing in one. I do get up pretty frequently, but I know that's not sufficient (at least not when things are aggravated).

Thanks for this advice. I'd seen the glutes mentioned in several articles. I think given how difficult it is to stretch/relax the psoas, working on strengthening the opposing muscles is probably a more reliable plan.

I've tried different riding postures/tests in the past month or two. I stumbled on one today that really has me wondering. It seems that if I bring my knees inward more, closer to the top bar, I can bike harder with less back discomfort. I'll have to try it again tomorrow to make sure it wasn't a fluke. This idea came to me after seeing an article where someone explained how to get into the most relieving psoas position (lie on back, feet on floor separated by width greater than pelvis, and then bend knees inward to touch each other). It may just be crutch, opening myself up to other strains (my knees were a little sore). Or, maybe it's a hint to something that's off in my riding style/setup.

Carbonfiberboy 

Two of my riding friends have what you probably have: Read all about it here:
Psoas Syndrome: A Frequently Missed Diagnosis | The Journal of the American Osteopathic Association

lineinthewater

Thanks for the link. No pain in the butt, or down my leg. All pain is either right lower back, or lower right abdominal. Some good information to consider in that article. I had a Pelvic/Abdominal CT scan done, and it came back totally normal.

The PT says my right leg is being pulled up, slightly, by my psoas, causing pelvic imbalance. I'm seeing him again today to go over some strengthening exercises. As I mentioned in my earlier post, I think this will be key.