Research Corner - Q&A Dysfunctional Hip Flexors by Michael Boyle | Date Released : 04 Aug 2006 0 comments Print Close Question: Having just read Michael Boyle's article on Understanding Hip Flexion, I have identified a client suffering from a weak/dysfunctional iliopsoas causing rec fem dominance. My client describes a knotted sensation in his lower abdomen and pain on palpation. Can you suggest a plan of attack? Answer: The plan of attack for a client with a weak or under active iliacus or psoas is reasonably straightforward. In order to properly execute the plan, you will need to enlist the help of good manual therapist. Good manual therapists can be hard to find. This may be a massage therapist, chiropractor or physical therapist, but the key is the ability to get the hands into the tissue. Don't get hung up on which profession. Just find someone with good hands. Once you’ve done this, adhere to the following protocol: Treat the soft tissue. This has to be done manually, so find a good manual therapist who can get into the psoas. Foam rollers, etc. can't get into an area like the psoas. Stretch. The Thomas position is best for psoas stretching. The Thomas position is the position used for the Thomas test for hip flexor length. Position the client on the table with one knee to the chest and the sacrum on the table end. Push down on the extended leg. Half kneeling psoas stretches will also work, but I prefer partner work in the Thomas position. The iliacus and psoas can be difficult to self stretch. Check the PTN Flexibility Library for examples. Strengthen. This is also simple. We will do a seated contraction into hip flexion with the hands behind the back to maintain lumbar curve. You need to sit on something high enough so the feet don't touch the ground. Begin with three 10 second holds and progress to 10 times in 10 seconds. I hope this helps. Back to top About the author: Michael Boyle Michael Boyle is known internationally for his pioneering work in the field of strength and conditioning and is regarded as one of the top experts in the area for sports performance training. He has made his mark on the industry over the past 30 years with an impressive following of professional athletes, from the US Women’s Olympic teams in soccer and ice hockey to the Boston Bruins, Boston Breakers, New England Revolution, and most recently the Boston Red Sox. His client list over the years reads like a "Who’s Who" of athletic success in New England and across the country including legendary Boston names such as Nomar Garciaparra, Cam Neely, and Ray Bourque. Mike is a featured speaker at numerous strength and conditioning and athletic training clinics across the country and has produced many instructional videos and DVDs in the areas of strength and conditioning, personal training and rehabilitation. In 2012, Michael was selected to become part of the Boston Red Sox coaching staff, acting as a strength and conditioning consultant for the team. Full Author Details Related content Content from Michael Boyle Hip Bursitis Michael Boyle | Articles Corrective Exercise - Part 2: The Lumbo-Pelvic Hip Girdle Justin Price | Articles Hip Bursitis and Exercise Jeff Thaxton | Articles Muscle Tightness and Horseback Riding Michol Dalcourt | Articles Understanding Hip Flexion Michael Boyle | Articles Hip Flexor Gripping Chuck Wolf | Articles Hip Flexion Dianne Woodruff | Articles Hip Flexor Pain Rodney Corn | Articles Training Endurance Athletes Michael Boyle | Articles Joint by Joint Approach to Training Michael Boyle | Articles Hip Bursitis Michael Boyle | Articles Anaerobic, Lactate and Ventilatory Threshold Michael Boyle | Articles Interval Training Michael Boyle | Articles Anterior Knee Pain - Pain Site vs. Pain Source Michael Boyle | Articles Dysfunctional Hip Flexors Michael Boyle | Articles Understanding Hip Flexion Michael Boyle | Articles Core Training and Glute Activation Michael Boyle | Articles Rotary Training Michael Boyle | Articles The Mythology of Hypertrophy Michael Boyle | Articles Developing Single Leg Stability Michael Boyle | Articles Please login to leave a comment Comments (0) Back to top