Ever find yourself feeling “off” and not quite sure why? Maybe your back aches, your hips feel tight, or just moving around feels challenging. 

Sometimes, it’s easy to blame these feelings on stress or a busy day, but did you know that the root cause could be a deep muscle inside your body called the psoas?

The psoas is referred to as the “muscle of the soul” because it’s not just linked to your physical movement but is also connected to your emotions. 

So when you feel emotionally drained, anxious, or even just mentally exhausted, your psoas can tighten up, making everything feel worse. 

In this blog, we’ll talk about how psoas massage can help relieve emotional pain and improve mobility.

The Connection Between the Psoas and Emotional Stress

You might be wondering how a muscle can have anything to do with your emotions. Well, here’s the thing: the psoas is often referred to as the “muscle of the soul.” When we’re under stress, our body naturally tenses up as part of the “fight or flight” response. The psoas, being a key muscle involved in movement and posture, is often one of the first to tighten up during times of anxiety, fear, or stress.

This tightening can create a cycle where emotional stress leads to physical discomfort, and physical discomfort, in turn, can make stress feel even worse. For example, if you’re feeling anxious or overwhelmed, your psoas might tighten up, causing lower back pain, tightness in your hips, or difficulty moving freely. This discomfort can add to your stress, leaving you stuck in a loop.

How Does Psoas Massage Help?

Now that we know how stress affects the psoas muscle, let’s understand how a psoas massage can help break that cycle and bring relief to both your body and mind. Psoas massage is a therapeutic technique that targets the psoas muscle to release tension, improve flexibility, and restore balance to the body.

Here’s how it helps:

1. Releases Tension: By applying gentle pressure to the psoas, the therapist will help release the built-up tension that may have accumulated from stress, anxiety, or poor posture. This will lead to a sense of immediate physical relief, such as reduced lower back pain or less tightness in the hips.
2. Restores Mobility: When the psoas is tight, it can limit your ability to move freely, making activities like bending, walking, or even standing uncomfortable. Psoas massage helps to loosen this muscle, allowing for improved mobility and flexibility. Whether you’re trying to get back to your favorite workout or just want to feel more comfortable moving around, this massage can make a big difference.
3. Reduces Emotional Stress: As the psoas releases its tension, many people report feeling a sense of emotional relief as well. It’s not uncommon for people to feel a deep sense of relaxation and calm after a psoas massage, as the muscle is linked to your body’s stress response. By releasing the tension in the psoas, you might feel less anxious or stressed overall.
4. Improves Posture: Because the psoas is deeply involved in your posture, tightness in this muscle can lead to slumping or poor alignment. When the psoas is relaxed and flexible, your posture naturally improves. This can help you feel more confident, reduce strain on other muscles, and even help you breathe better.

How to Get a Psoas Massage

If you’re considering trying a psoas massage, it’s important to find a trained therapist like Jacqueline Kane who specializes in deep tissue or myofascial release techniques. Since the psoas is located deep inside your body, it requires a therapist who knows how to work safely and effectively in that area. They may use their hands or special tools to apply pressure to the muscle, gradually working to release the tension.

Alternatively, some people prefer to try self-massage techniques or yoga poses that target the psoas. While these might not be as deep or intense as a professional massage, they can still help you loosen up and feel better.

Final Thoughts

Your body and mind are deeply connected, and the psoas muscle is a perfect example of how emotional stress can physically manifest in ways we don’t always notice. By taking the time to care for this often-overlooked muscle through massage, you’re not just easing physical tension—you’re giving yourself a chance to let go of emotional stress, move more freely, and feel lighter in both body and spirit.

Psoas massage is a way of pressing “reset” on the tension you’ve been holding onto, whether it’s from hours at a desk, life’s daily pressures, or even years of built-up emotional strain. It’s a small act of self-care with a big impact, helping you step back into your day-to-day life with a little more comfort, mobility, and calm. Book your psoas session today!