Core Awareness

The home of Liz Koch and the Psoas Muscle Book and Workshops

Q & A: Psoas Pain After Giving Birth – What's The Connection?

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Q: I want your opinion on the psoas and pregnancy.  I had my fourth child, and found after his birth my psoas has tightened horribly, with accompanied back pain etc.  I had a good pregnancy, did yoga and danced and felt good, but now it feels like my body is falling apart.

A: Congratulations on the birth of  your child!  Possibly your SI Joints (sacral iliac joints) got stretched or torn during birth and so your psoas muscle must get involved in an attempt to balance and maintain pelvic stability.  Rebalancing the pelvis is key to a healthy psoas, healing the ligaments essential and possibly adding the tradition of “mother roasting“, which  involves consulting an accupucturist for MOXA treatments to “energetically close” the lower charkras. I have an article available on mother roasting written by granny midwife Raven Lang – it is a beautiful tradition that strengthens the pelvic core and feels delicious.

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  1. Hi, I am a new mom. Despite yoga and walking frequently during my pregnancy, my hips/pelvic area were always sore. I was told this is normal. My son is now 5 months old and I’ve been trying to resume an exercise routing of walking, yoga, dance, etc. It’s been difficult because my pelvic area continues to feel uncomfortable and/or out of balance. I can engage in these activities, but something feels “off”. It is also important to note my labor was a traumatic experience. Furthermore, I thought I needed to focus on my core strength. Two days ago I completed an abdominal work out. It was not difficult and I didn’t think I over did it. As a result however, I can barely walk now. My abs are not sore, but the tops of my legs are in excruciating pain. I’m having to walk with my trunk bent forward and I can’t straighten my legs. Even during sleep I’m not able to extend or stretch out. Does this sound like a psoas issue? Any suggestions?

    • The Psoas is a messenger of the central nervous system and one of its messages is proprioceptive coherency. When ligaments are injured it causes the psoas to be involved. Without knowing your how story I can only guess that you have pelvic instability. No amount of “core strength” externally will address the deeper core issue of trauma and proprioceptive disruption. I recommend reading my articles about Trauma. Several are not on my web site but worth special ordering from me. I also recommend reading the Fluid Core article found on my web site as it will guide you into fetal curl ~ which can be very helpful in regaining core integrity.