The psoas muscle commonly known as the ‘fight or flight’ muscle or the ‘hidden prankster’ is a core muscle that acts as physiological keystone and plays a vital part in the TRE process. It often ‘kick starts’ the TRE tremors.
If we curl up into the fetal position to protect ourselves from upset and trauma the posas is the main muscle we use.
It is incredibly adaptable if it is relaxed and in a state of gentle release. If it is unbalanced, frozen or overworked by trauma it can affect our gait, lower back, pelvis and stomach.
It is the only muscle that connects the spine to the legs and it supports the body like a structural arch travelling vertically from the spine to the femur and also diagonally through the pelvis attaching to the upper thigh. Along with making it very hard working it is also bi-articulate (a muscle working two joints).
In this core location it helps support and stimulate internal organs and channel movement from the spine as it assists the transfer of torso weight to the legs aiding body alignment and gait acting like a pendulum to allow the swing of the leg.
Because of the depth of its location within the body the psoas affects both the central and peripheral nervous systems and if tension is released from the psoas, lower back pain is often reduced and profound emotional release can occur as we let go of decades of tension.
The PSOAS muscle and TRE (Tremors)
Due to its keystone location any muscular contraction of the psoas – such as the therapeutic, neurogenic tremors we experience during TRE – stimulates and massages many deep internal organs such as pancreas, bladder, liver, spleen, kidneys, stomach, reproductive organs and also the aorta and lumbar nerve complex.
These organs, known as viscera, communicate with the brain with what we commonly know as ‘gut feelings‘ . The psoas, because of its proximity to these organs, can play a key role in this vital, emotional stimuli.
If the sympathetic ‘fight or flight’ system is overstimulated the psoas muscle can store embedded ‘memories’ of traumatic events and the parasympathetic relaxation response may be subdued. Perhaps you are the person who finds it difficult to relax? These embedded memories and trapped energy can commonly manifest as various anxiety disorders – panic attacks, depression, addictions, PTS symptoms etc.
The TRE process helps us open the door to natural self-healing by allowing the flow of our innate and intelligent parasympathetic response to rest and release.
One of the most notable things we must also remember about the psoas muscle is its connection with the diaphragm and our ability to breathe. Often when we are carrying trauma or feeling overwhelmed our breath becomes tight and narrow in the upper chest.
When we release the psoas we can breathe more deeply, find greater release, and relax. So simple, and yet so effective.
The psoas also holds a huge nerve network and also houses the third chakra, Manipura (The Brilliant Jewel) the seat of personal power and courage governing our metabolism, nervous system and emotions.
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Kate Munden
Kate is a trauma and embodiment specialist. She is a TRE & EFT Supervising Mentor and is on the Executive Board of EFT International (formerly AAMET) and is a Comprehensive Energy Psychology Practitioner, DipPsych, Master Hypnotist, Master Practitioner of NLP and Time Line Therapy (accredited by the ABNLP) and has been an intuitive body & energy worker for 30 years. While she works with any problem state she specialises in the sensitive areas of Post Traumatic Stress, emotional abuse, chronic pain and anxiety.
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