Leg pain, psoas, and stretching
03-05-06, 04:53 PM
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Leg pain, psoas, and stretching
For the last 2 years or so I've experienced sporadic leg pain (left leg), which I thought was sciatica. A combination of chiropractic treatment and massage helped reduce or eliminate the pain. But I often limp while walking, and certainly do not have the walking speed I used to have.
Last summer I started riding a bike again after 20 years layoff. I have good leg strength for cycling, no leg pain, and fortunately the leg pain for walking didn't get any worse after bike riding, but it also didn't get better. And recently I found my left leg getting stiff around the knee, as if I had lost muscle control. But it's not clear to me that the bike is causing any of this.
Both the chiropractor and the masseuse agree on two things: the psoas muscle is involved, and I need to stretch before and after every ride. Also that I should lay off cycling for a few weeks, since what's causing the pain and loss of control will not heal while I'm cycling (even if doesn't make it worse.)
I've never heard of the psoas muscle before, and I've never stretched: I always just jumped on the bike and rode off, maybe slowly for the first 2 blocks or so.
So I'm following their advice, but reluctantly, as I'm getting fatter by the day. And stretching doesn't seem to give any immediate improvement.
So my questions: what do you know about psoas, what do you know about stretching, is this all good advice, or should I be doing something entirely different??
Thanks in advance for your thoughts!
Last summer I started riding a bike again after 20 years layoff. I have good leg strength for cycling, no leg pain, and fortunately the leg pain for walking didn't get any worse after bike riding, but it also didn't get better. And recently I found my left leg getting stiff around the knee, as if I had lost muscle control. But it's not clear to me that the bike is causing any of this.
Both the chiropractor and the masseuse agree on two things: the psoas muscle is involved, and I need to stretch before and after every ride. Also that I should lay off cycling for a few weeks, since what's causing the pain and loss of control will not heal while I'm cycling (even if doesn't make it worse.)
I've never heard of the psoas muscle before, and I've never stretched: I always just jumped on the bike and rode off, maybe slowly for the first 2 blocks or so.
So I'm following their advice, but reluctantly, as I'm getting fatter by the day. And stretching doesn't seem to give any immediate improvement.
So my questions: what do you know about psoas, what do you know about stretching, is this all good advice, or should I be doing something entirely different??
Thanks in advance for your thoughts!
03-05-06, 05:06 PM
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Originally Posted by backinthesaddle
For the last 2 years or so I've experienced sporadic leg pain (left leg), which I thought was sciatica. A combination of chiropractic treatment and massage helped reduce or eliminate the pain. But I often limp while walking, and certainly do not have the walking speed I used to have.
Last summer I started riding a bike again after 20 years layoff. I have good leg strength for cycling, no leg pain, and fortunately the leg pain for walking didn't get any worse after bike riding, but it also didn't get better. And recently I found my left leg getting stiff around the knee, as if I had lost muscle control. But it's not clear to me that the bike is causing any of this.
Both the chiropractor and the masseuse agree on two things: the psoas muscle is involved, and I need to stretch before and after every ride. Also that I should lay off cycling for a few weeks, since what's causing the pain and loss of control will not heal while I'm cycling (even if doesn't make it worse.)
I've never heard of the psoas muscle before, and I've never stretched: I always just jumped on the bike and rode off, maybe slowly for the first 2 blocks or so.
So I'm following their advice, but reluctantly, as I'm getting fatter by the day. And stretching doesn't seem to give any immediate improvement.
So my questions: what do you know about psoas, what do you know about stretching, is this all good advice, or should I be doing something entirely different??
Thanks in advance for your thoughts!
Last summer I started riding a bike again after 20 years layoff. I have good leg strength for cycling, no leg pain, and fortunately the leg pain for walking didn't get any worse after bike riding, but it also didn't get better. And recently I found my left leg getting stiff around the knee, as if I had lost muscle control. But it's not clear to me that the bike is causing any of this.
Both the chiropractor and the masseuse agree on two things: the psoas muscle is involved, and I need to stretch before and after every ride. Also that I should lay off cycling for a few weeks, since what's causing the pain and loss of control will not heal while I'm cycling (even if doesn't make it worse.)
I've never heard of the psoas muscle before, and I've never stretched: I always just jumped on the bike and rode off, maybe slowly for the first 2 blocks or so.
So I'm following their advice, but reluctantly, as I'm getting fatter by the day. And stretching doesn't seem to give any immediate improvement.
So my questions: what do you know about psoas, what do you know about stretching, is this all good advice, or should I be doing something entirely different??
Thanks in advance for your thoughts!
have you ever thought about seeing an Osteopathic physician who is adept at manipulation?
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03-05-06, 06:33 PM
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I got instruction on stretching and am trying to be diligent about following the instructions, but the improvement so far is slight if any.
I'm already seeing a chiropractor and a massge therapist, don't know if the D.O. (?) can do any more, have you used them?
I'm already seeing a chiropractor and a massge therapist, don't know if the D.O. (?) can do any more, have you used them?
03-05-06, 06:48 PM
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Stretching, done correctly, can really help. But you can't approach it like, "well, I have a problem with this muscle, better try to stretch that muscle", better to take a more general approach. Balance is important.
I would listen to your doctor's advice about laying off activity. If the muscle is actually injured, you aren't doing yourself any favors by continuing to abuse it. Let it heal first. When you are ready to return to activity, see about getting into a stretching or yoga class, don't just focus on the problem areas. It may take a while to see results, it's not a silver bullet (there is none).
As for "getting fatter by the day" . . . yeah, that will happen if you don't adjust your caloric intake for the reduced activity level. You will have to cut back, or find some other activity that does not bother the problem area -- your CMT or doc should be able to advise you on something suitable.
I would listen to your doctor's advice about laying off activity. If the muscle is actually injured, you aren't doing yourself any favors by continuing to abuse it. Let it heal first. When you are ready to return to activity, see about getting into a stretching or yoga class, don't just focus on the problem areas. It may take a while to see results, it's not a silver bullet (there is none).
As for "getting fatter by the day" . . . yeah, that will happen if you don't adjust your caloric intake for the reduced activity level. You will have to cut back, or find some other activity that does not bother the problem area -- your CMT or doc should be able to advise you on something suitable.
03-05-06, 07:01 PM
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Originally Posted by backinthesaddle
I got instruction on stretching and am trying to be diligent about following the instructions, but the improvement so far is slight if any.
I'm already seeing a chiropractor and a massge therapist, don't know if the D.O. (?) can do any more, have you used them?
I'm already seeing a chiropractor and a massge therapist, don't know if the D.O. (?) can do any more, have you used them?
i am in DO school now!
...but i don't plan on using Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment (OMT) on patients. it will be good for friends, family, brown nosing the attendings, and getting friendly with co workers of the opposite sex. 
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Last edited by mx_599; 03-05-06 at 08:05 PM.
03-10-06, 08:11 PM
#6
Just ride.
Originally Posted by backinthesaddle
I've never heard of the psoas muscle before
https://www.exrx.net/Muscles/Iliopsoas.html
It's notorious for getting short and tight in people who spend a lot of time sitting, causing back pain.
Here's an online article from Yoga Journal about psoas stretches. (You don't have to be a yoga expert to do the stretches.) The best one is the one they aptly describe as "The Ultimate Stretch." https://www.yogajournal.com/practice/169_1.cfm
This site has a bunch of good stretches for hip area muscles:
https://jaxmed.com/massage/pirformis_stretches.htm
Go easy and work at it consistanly, a little time every day. You'll get results. It's better to stretch warmed-up muscles, you'll probably get better results after your ride.
Good luck!
