Iliopsoas Strain as a Cause of Back Pain

Snowshoveling. Lifting a baby out of a crib. Raising or lowering a heavy box while twisting the torso. Filling sandbags and throwing them onto a pile. Weeding the garden…

These and similar “lift & torso twist” actions of my clients resulted in terrible back pain. The cause? Iliopsoas muscle strain that compresses lumbar vertebrae and associated nerves. Read more about causes of back pain in my blog posts.

My clients who sought massage, acupuncture, chiropractic, or physiotherapy treatments before finding me reported that “you are the first practitioner who knew how to fix my psoas.”

Frankly, it’s impossible for me to treat everyone in the Ottawa-Gatineau Region who needs help with a damaged iliopsoas! Therefore it’s time to pass on my effective approach to other manual therapists/bodyworkers.

What You Will Learn

In this three (3) hour hands-on workshop you will learn:

  • anatomy of this important muscle and the nerves that pass through it;

  • how unilateral dysfunction may cause scoliosis, anteriorly-rotated ilium, sciatica and/or bulging discs;

  • assessment for iliopsoas dysfunction; and,

  • an effective manual technique for releasing iliopsoas muscle strains and knots in one client session.

    Please note that I do not teach practitioners to use, or who intend to use, a device to release iliopsoas muscle tension. My approach relies on palpation for its effectiveness.

Prerequisites

This workshop is targeted to massage therapists, Bowen therapists, and physiotherapists who do manual treatments.

To acquire and effectively use this technique you will need:

  • palpation experience,

  • sensitive fingers that can locate muscle damage (knots, strains) in muscle, and

  • patience. (I have spent up to 30 minutes on a severely damaged iliopsoas.)

Instructor

Madeline McBride is a Certified Bowenwork Practitioner and Neuromuscular Therapist. Learn more about her training and experience.

2024 WORKSHOPS

May 3, Niagara-on-the-Lake, ON: Private home. (Day before Hormone Release the Bowen Way (HRBW) workshop for Bowen practitioners.) 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

Cost: $125 CAD Early Bird $100 CAD

Register: email Madeline@McBridePainClinic.com or text 613.809.7283 for payment instructions.

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August 24, Ottawa, ON: McBride Pain Clinic. 1:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.

Cost: $125 CAD Early Bird $100 CAD 5 spaces available.

Register: email Madeline@McBridePainClinic.com or text 613.809.7283 for payment instructions.

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September 23, Bellevue (Seattle), WA: Hotel. (Day after the HRBW workshop at same hotel.) 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

Cost: $125 USD Early Bird $100 USD

Register: email Madeline@McBridePainClinic.com or text 613.809.7283 for payment instructions.

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September 27, Calgary, AB: Hotel. (Day before the HRBW workshop at same hotel.) 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

Cost: $125 CAD Early Bird $100 CAD

Register: email Madeline@McBridePainClinic.com or text 613.809.7283 for payment instructions.