The cause of a protruding belly is not always fat. Sometimes the problem is the position of the pelvis, tension in the iliopsoas muscle and weakened deep stabilizer muscles.
1What is the iliopsoas and why is it important?
The iliopsoas is a deep muscle that connects the lumbar vertebrae to the femur (thigh bone). When we sit for long periods it shortens, accumulates tension and pulls the pelvis forward, throwing it out of balance.
- The pelvis tilts forward → lumbar curvature increases
- The abdomen looks more prominent
- Low back pain and postural disorder develop
- The deep stabilizing muscles weaken
2That is why losing weight alone is not enough
In treatment, osteopathic correction (restoring the position of the pelvis), release of the psoas and activation of the deep muscles work together. As device-based support, EM-SLIM activates the deep muscles of the abdomen, low back and around the pelvis, while EMSHIF activates the pelvic floor system.
We look not at where the pain is, but at where it comes from.
— Dr. Elfana Suleymanova, Center Director · Internist and osteopathic physician
Related conditions
Methods we use for this topic
Continue reading
Sources and further reading
- Lower Back Pain — anatomy and types of low back pain — Spine-health