The Psoas Muscle and Trauma: An Acupuncturist’s Approach to Healing

The Psoas major crosses over several vertebrae in the low back, the SI joint, the pubic symphysis and the hip joint.

The psoas muscle, often referred to as the "Muscle of the Soul," plays a crucial role in both physical and emotional well-being. In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), the body and mind are deeply interconnected, and unresolved trauma often manifests as physical tension, particularly in the psoas. This muscle not only supports posture and movement but also holds onto past experiences on a cellular level. Acupuncture and Chinese medicine offer a powerful approach to releasing trauma stored in the psoas and restoring balance to the body.

The Psoas, Trauma, and the Fight-or-Flight Response

The psoas is linked to our primal survival instincts—our fight-or-flight response. When we experience stress or trauma, the nervous system signals the psoas to contract as a protective mechanism. In cases of sexual trauma or chronic stress, the psoas may remain in a constant state of tension, leading to discomfort in the lower back, hips, shoulders, and even digestive issues. From a TCM perspective, this tension is often associated with Liver Qi Stagnation, a pattern where emotional stress causes the body's energy to become stuck, leading to pain and imbalance. Traumatic events trigger our body to go into "protection mode" and our body tends to prioritize the protection of our extremely important internal organs. The psoas contracts and acts as a protective shell during these events. Sometimes, the body holds onto that stress response and that is what we mean when we say "trauma Is stored in the body". It is important to address the physical and emotional aspects of that trauma for proper healing. We work closely with many different mental health therapists and refer to them frequently to make sure to address all aspects.

Acupuncture for Psoas Release and Trauma Healing

Acupuncture helps regulate the nervous system and restore the free flow of Qi (energy) throughout the body. By targeting specific acupuncture points, we can:

• Relax the psoas by reducing muscle tension and improving circulation.

• Regulate the nervous system, shifting the body from a state of fight-or-flight (sympathetic dominance) to rest-and-digest (parasympathetic state).

• Release stored emotional trauma by addressing energy blockages that hold unresolved emotions in the body.

• Improve overall mobility and reduce pain, allowing for greater ease in movement and flexibility.

Integrating Acupuncture with Movement and Breathwork

For long-term healing, acupuncture can be combined with gentle movement practices like Qigong, Tai Chi, yoga, and breathwork. Deep diaphragmatic breathing helps release tension in the psoas, as the muscle is directly connected to the diaphragm by the medial arcuate ligament and strong fascia connections. Qigong, Tai Chi and yoga all connect gentle movement with functional breathing techniques and are great ways to release tension throughout the entire body. There are also passive psoas release techniques that our trained providers often use to address muscle tension in the psoas.

Acupuncture, along with mindful movement, offers a holistic path to healing stored trauma, helping the body find a sense of safety, openness, and balance once again. Below are some yoga poses that you can incorporate at home. If you need a little extra support, be sure to give us a call or book online! We also have a new online resource, EastWest Connections, to help you better understand the link between your emotional and physical health!