Iliacus Release

Download a PDF file with a description of this technique.

Cautions:

All work should be relatively pain-free.

Short fingernails are needed for this technique.

If you are going to work under a client’s clothing, as I did in the video here, it is essential to first explain what you want to do and get their permission. I already had permission from my client for this video.

The psoas often gets blamed for what the iliacus does.

When clients have limited hip extension, therapists are quick to blame the psoas. The psoas is a hip flexor, but it also stabilizes the lumbar spine. It is a long, thin muscle.

The iliacus is a much stronger hip flexor, and it can limit hip extension when it is tight. It is often shortened from prolonged sitting. Releasing the iliacus can help clients with limited hip extension and low back pain.

With your client’s hip flexed, press your fingers medial to the crest of the ilium, then pull laterally, catching the iliacus between your fingers and the crest of the ilium. You can work different parts of the iliacus by pressing into different areas medial to the iliac crest. If you press more medially, you may press into the fascia between the psoas and the iliacus.

Have your client push their foot down as you pin the iliacus muscle with your fingers. Go slowly and stay within your client’s comfort range. At the end, have your client dorsiflex their ankle and make their leg long while you press distally on their thigh, tractioning their leg distally.

Variation – Eccentric Contraction

This technique can be more effective by adding an eccentric load to the hip flexors. Do the technique as before, but this time, press on your client’s distal thigh and have them gently resist your pressure as they slide their foot down the table. If this can be done without pain, repeat with increasing pressure and resistance.

Variation – Reciprocal Inhibition

You can also perform this technique with your hand on the distal hamstrings, resisting your client’s efforts to slide their foot down the table. This engages the hamstrings and glutes more, decreasing hip flexor activation through reciprocal inhibition.

I often work with both eccentric contraction and reciprocal inhibition, then inquire of my client which method feels best for them.

Rocking – Making Nice

After performing this technique, continue pinning the iliacus muscle while gently rocking your client’s leg medially. The psoas and iliacus do lateral rotation of the femur, so the medial rotation of the rocking will stretch these muscles. The rocking is also soothing and relaxing after doing the pin-and-stretch work.

You can also have your client actively rotate their femur as you pin both the iliacus and tensor fascia lata. 

I suggest trying these different techniques and working with what feels best for your client.

Related Techniques:

Lateral Femoral Cutaneous Nerve Glide

Sartorius – Soft Tissue Release

Psoas and Iliacus – STR

Psoas and Iliacus – Trigger Point

Psoas Stretch Sidelying – Facilitated

Psoas PNF Stretch (from Deep Tissue Massage DVD)

Psoas PNF Stretch (from Sports Massage DVD)

Psoas Stretch Prone

Psoas Self PNF Stretch

Psoas Stretch

Look up Psoas using the search function to see more Psoas techniques.