In the world of fitness and musculoskeletal health, few muscles have received as much recent attention as the psoas—often described by therapists and researchers as the ‘most important muscle you don’t even know you have.’ Recent research and reporting reveal that this deep-seated muscle, threading its way from the lumbar spine through the pelvis to the femur, isn’t just central to movement and posture. The psoas may also hold the key to reducing back pain, preventing disability, and boosting elite athletic performance for people of all ages—including right here in Thailand.
While many are familiar with prominent muscles like the biceps or quadriceps, the psoas largely escapes notice because it lies deep within the body and cannot be seen. Yet, its function is crucial. As outlined in a recent feature on Literary Hub, the psoas is unique—it is the only significant muscle bridging both the upper and lower halves of the body, playing a direct role in stabilizing the spine and facilitating core movement lithub.com. When healthy and strong, the psoas supports posture, walking, Thai Muay Thai kicks, traditional dance moves, and every stride made in daily life.
The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that more than 619 million people worldwide suffer from lower back pain, making it the leading cause of disability globally. Research shows that those living with chronic back pain often have weaker or atrophied hip muscles—including the psoas. Modern imaging techniques now quantify just how substantial this so-called “hidden muscle” is: its average volume outstrips that of more aesthetically visible muscles, emphasizing its foundational role in the musculoskeletal system Spine-health.
But why should Thai readers care? Thailand faces its own epidemic of back pain and musculoskeletal complaints—conditions exacerbated by sedentary lifestyles in both office environments and modern classrooms. Many Thais spend extended hours sitting, particularly in Bangkok’s congested traffic or at school, reinforcing a tendency for the psoas to become tight and weak. Medical experts confirm a direct association between psoas dysfunction and postural problems, lower back pain, and even surgical complications in orthopedic cases Physiopedia.
The psoas also interacts intimately with neighboring muscles, such as the iliacus, forming the iliopsoas complex, which governs hip flexion. This is the movement that allows you to lift your knee towards your chest—a key action in everyday tasks, from stepping onto a motorcycle taxi to kneeling in prayer at temples. Importantly, the psoas attaches to the lumbar vertebrae, linking it not just to hip movement but also to core stability and the nervous system’s lumbar plexus Cleveland Clinic.
According to physical therapists like those at the Peak Performance Project (P3) in Santa Barbara, elite and recreational athletes alike benefit from targeted psoas strengthening and release work. P3’s specialists stress that many athletic injuries or ‘performance ceilings’ stem from hip mobility and psoas tightness. Their approach combines traditional physical therapy, modern sports science, and myofascial release techniques. MRI studies now demonstrate that elite runners adding hip flexor exercises—specifically addressing psoas strength—record faster times and experience fewer injuries.
However, the debate on how best to care for the psoas remains lively. Some experts warn that aggressive stretching might ‘anger’ the muscle, while others champion self-myofascial release with lacrosse balls, medicine balls, or specialized tools—modalities increasingly available in Thailand’s growing network of physiotherapy clinics and fitness studios. The broad consensus is that regular attention to psoas strength and flexibility results in improved mobility, posture, and reduced pain YogaEasy.
For Thai readers interested in self-care, a basic psoas assessment can be performed at home. Stand on one leg and lift the opposite knee as high as it will go, guided only by the psoas itself. If your thigh cannot rise at least parallel to the floor, you may be suffering from psoas weakness or tightness—an increasingly common issue among those in “sitting culture” environments, from office workers to students.
Expert perspectives buttress the case for prioritizing psoas health. According to a 2025 PubMed review, dysfunction of paraspinal muscles, including the psoas, is closely associated with degenerative spine disorders and chronic low-back pain (PubMed). Another recent study found that targeted muscle work in the lumbar region can restore function and reduce disability in affected individuals (PubMed). Physical therapists interviewed by international outlets now routinely highlight the psoas in back pain rehabilitation programs, and advise a combination of strengthening, mobility exercises, and—when appropriate—myofascial release.
Within Thai culture, where respect for “traditional health wisdom” remains strong, this growing appreciation for the psoas echoes similar principles found in Thai massage and traditional physical therapies. Thai massage, for example, often targets the hip, lower back, and thigh—regions where the psoas resides. Some practitioners already theorize that many back pain complaints are rooted in deep-seated hip and pelvic muscle dysfunctions.
Looking forward, Thailand’s expanding urban workforces and aging population mean back pain will likely remain a public health priority. Fortunately, the global spotlight on the psoas muscle offers Thais new tools and motivation for prevention. Technology—including fitness wearables and telemedicine physical therapy—will enable individuals in both city and rural areas to track and improve core muscle health. Sports science and physical rehabilitation programs in Thai universities and hospitals are likely to integrate more psoas-focused research and protocols.
To seize the benefits of this hidden muscle revolution, Thais are advised to integrate more dynamic movement into everyday routines—take breaks from sitting, practice standing knee lifts, seek professional assessment if persistent hip or back pain occurs, and explore reputable Thai massage or physiotherapy with practitioners familiar with psoas anatomy. Fitness professionals and school physical education instructors should incorporate hip flexor and core stability work into exercise curricula to combat the rising tide of musculoskeletal complaints among youth.
In conclusion, the psoas may be invisible on the surface, but its impact runs deep—shaping everything from healthy posture to athletic prowess and daily comfort. For Thailand, as for the world, learning to care for this overlooked muscle could unlock a new era of well-being, vitality, and pain-free movement.
Source links: Literary Hub, Spine-health, Physiopedia, Cleveland Clinic, YogaEasy, PubMed