Iliopsoas

The Iliopsoas is made up of psoas major, psoas minor, and iliacus. p

This muscle group lifts the leg and initiates walking. It is the major cause of pain in the muscles of the lower back.

The psoas minor muscle is absent in approximately 60% of cadavers so it is not normally discussed in massage class (at least not mine).

The muscle study aid for massage therapy students is below.

Psoas Major

Insertion is lesser trochanter.

Actions--It rotates the hip laterally. It flexes the hip and flexes the vertebral column.

The strongest hip flexor muscle is Psoas major.

Iliacus

Insertion is lesser trochanter.

Actions--it laterally rotates the hip and flexes the hip.

Return from Iliopsoas to Muscles