Thank you for thinking about this framework and these muscles. Bit by bit see how it feels. I’m too excited to get on with other things so a longer answer:
The psoas....
“your psoas muscles are the primary connectors between your torso and your legs.”
Primary connectors? A big statement, and I’d say no. A connection—yes, but looking at the anatomy (position/attachments/influence) of the psoas, versus a combination of 3 of the main muscles for movement: rectus abdominis, rectus femoris, gluteus maximus. What seems a ‘better’ system to move?, What muscles are capable of stabilising and connecting the leg (from pelvis to shin) and torso (from pelvis to thorax) through a full range of movement?
The Psoas major (Psoas magnus) is a long fusiform muscle placed on the side of the lumbar region of the vertebral column and brim of the lesser pelvis. It arises from the anterior surfaces of the bases and lower borders of the transverse processes of all the lumbar vertebræ from the sides of the bodies and the corresponding intervertebral fibrocartilages of the last thoracic and all the lumbar vertebræ by five slips, each of which is attached to the adjacent upper and lower margins of two vertebræ, and to the intervertebral fibrocartilage; from a series of tendinous arches which extend across the constricted parts of the bodies of the lumbar vertebræ between the previous slips; the lumbar arteries and veins, and filaments from the sympathetic trunk pass beneath these tendinous arches. The muscle proceeds downward across the brim of the lesser pelvis, and diminishing gradually in size, passes beneath the inguinal ligament and in front of the capsule of the hip-joint and ends in a tendon; the tendon receives nearly the whole of the fibers of the Iliacus and is inserted into the lesser trochanter of the femur.
Structurally, does a muscle that attaches to the lumbar spine and the femurseem a good idea as the primary connection between torso and legs?
“They affect your posture and help to stabilize your spine”.
True. But ‘secondary’. The psoas isn’t meant to “take the strain” and the lumbar spine is prone to problems when muscles aren’t used correctly.
“weak psoas muscles can cause many of the surrounding muscles to compensate and become overused”
Indeed. But I would argue that “weak” psoas ( over stressed?) comes with misusage of the ‘main muscles of movement’ and the imbalance and misalignment of the body.
thinking about 5 muscles gives you something to focus on to develop “conscious proprioceptive skills”—psoas are not good to focus on, hence not part of your five muscles of movement.
I’m not saying other muscles are unimportant (getting out of bed will be an issue if many individual muscles didn’t function). I am saying that these 5 muscles are the main muscles to focus on to using to their full potential and are the primary ‘support’ and ‘guides’ to align and balance the body. (which is a good thing).
Finding my Base-Line was the key to developing my conscious proprioception. Having the sensory feedback about primary guide for alignment (linea alba), feeling my ‘core pillar of strength’ (It’s hard not to resort to soundbites because they sum it up so well!)
The anatomy is all there. I believe it will stand up to the scrutiny of the biggest collection of rational thinkers I could find.
Thank you for thinking about this framework and these muscles. Bit by bit see how it feels. I’m too excited to get on with other things so a longer answer:
The psoas....
Primary connectors? A big statement, and I’d say no. A connection—yes, but looking at the anatomy (position/attachments/influence) of the psoas, versus a combination of 3 of the main muscles for movement: rectus abdominis, rectus femoris, gluteus maximus. What seems a ‘better’ system to move?, What muscles are capable of stabilising and connecting the leg (from pelvis to shin) and torso (from pelvis to thorax) through a full range of movement?
Edited to add anatomy from Gray’s:
The Psoas major (Psoas magnus) is a long fusiform muscle placed on the side of the lumbar region of the vertebral column and brim of the lesser pelvis. It arises from the anterior surfaces of the bases and lower borders of the transverse processes of all the lumbar vertebræ from the sides of the bodies and the corresponding intervertebral fibrocartilages of the last thoracic and all the lumbar vertebræ by five slips, each of which is attached to the adjacent upper and lower margins of two vertebræ, and to the intervertebral fibrocartilage; from a series of tendinous arches which extend across the constricted parts of the bodies of the lumbar vertebræ between the previous slips; the lumbar arteries and veins, and filaments from the sympathetic trunk pass beneath these tendinous arches. The muscle proceeds downward across the brim of the lesser pelvis, and diminishing gradually in size, passes beneath the inguinal ligament and in front of the capsule of the hip-joint and ends in a tendon; the tendon receives nearly the whole of the fibers of the Iliacus and is inserted into the lesser trochanter of the femur.
Structurally, does a muscle that attaches to the lumbar spine and the femur seem a good idea as the primary connection between torso and legs?
True. But ‘secondary’. The psoas isn’t meant to “take the strain” and the lumbar spine is prone to problems when muscles aren’t used correctly.
Indeed. But I would argue that “weak” psoas ( over stressed?) comes with misusage of the ‘main muscles of movement’ and the imbalance and misalignment of the body.
I’m not saying other muscles are unimportant (getting out of bed will be an issue if many individual muscles didn’t function). I am saying that these 5 muscles are the main muscles to focus on to using to their full potential and are the primary ‘support’ and ‘guides’ to align and balance the body. (which is a good thing).
Finding my Base-Line was the key to developing my conscious proprioception. Having the sensory feedback about primary guide for alignment (linea alba), feeling my ‘core pillar of strength’ (It’s hard not to resort to soundbites because they sum it up so well!)
The anatomy is all there. I believe it will stand up to the scrutiny of the biggest collection of rational thinkers I could find.