What are the physical characteristics of people with weak psoas muscles? Their relationship to posture, lower back pain, and gait | Chiropractic clinic in Hashimoto and Sagamihara

2026/04/16 blog
Iliopsoas muscle

Q: What happens if the psoas muscle is weak?

A: This can lead to poor posture, lower back pain, difficulty walking, and other significant imbalances in the body.

Weak psoas muscles can cause poor posture and lower back pain. A chiropractic clinic in Hashimoto and Sagamihara explains the characteristics and methods for improvement.

Introduction

"I'm told I have bad posture."
"I get tired easily." "Walking makes me feel sluggish."

These kinds of problems may actually be related to weakness in the psoas muscle .

The iliopsoas muscle is an important muscle that connects the upper and lower body.
This is a very common cause of poor performance in Hashimoto and Sagamihara.


What is the iliopsoas muscle?

The iliopsoas muscle is a muscle composed of the "psoas major" and the "iliacus" muscle.
It's located from the waist down to the thighs.

The main roles are 👇

  • Lifting your legs (walking, climbing stairs)
  • Stabilize the pelvis
  • Supporting posture

In other words, these are the muscles that form the foundation of the body .


Physical characteristics of people with weak psoas muscles

① Prone to slouching or arching the lower back

If the psoas muscle is weak, the pelvis will not be stable.
Your posture will be more prone to becoming poor.


② Prone to having a protruding belly

The pelvis tends to tilt forward and backward.
Your stomach will tend to stick out more.


③ Short stride / Gets tired easily

Because the force that pushes the leg forward weakens,
Your steps become smaller and you tire more easily.


④ Prone to lower back pain

If the psoas muscle does not work,
The muscles in your lower back end up working too hard to compensate.


⑤ Unstable standing on one leg

Because the stability of the trunk and pelvis decreases,
It becomes difficult to maintain balance.


⑥ Stairs are difficult

I find it particularly difficult to lift my legs when going uphill.


Why does it become weaker?

● Prolonged sitting posture

If you remain in a hunched-over position while doing desk work,
Muscle strength tends to decrease.


● Lack of exercise

If you don't have many opportunities to properly use your psoas muscles in your daily life,
It gets weaker and weaker.


● Posture habits

If you continue to have poor posture such as hunching over or posterior pelvic tilt,
It will no longer be used correctly.


What will happen if we leave it alone?

  • Chronic lower back pain
  • Hip joint problems
  • Metabolism slowed down / body prone to weight gain
  • Increased risk of falls

Particular caution is needed for those in their 40s and older.


Chiropractic treatment approaches to improvement

At our store, we offer not only the psoas muscle,
We will restore balance to your entire body.

① Pelvic and hip joint adjustment

→ Creates an environment where the psoas muscle can work more easily.

② Posture improvement

→ To a state where it can be used correctly

③ Adjustment of related muscles (buttocks and abdominal muscles)

→ To restore balance

④ Retraining of movement

→ Improve your walking style and how you use your body


Common changes in reality

  • It's become easier to walk.
  • The strain on my lower back has decreased.
  • My posture naturally improved.
  • I get less tired.

Self-check

✔ Unsteady when standing on one leg
✔ Difficulty lifting knees high
✔ I get tired easily when I walk.

If even one of these applies to you, you should be careful.


summary

If the psoas muscle is weak,
It affects posture, back pain, and walking style.

If you are experiencing physical discomfort in Hashimoto or Sagamihara,
I highly recommend getting checked out by a chiropractor.