Sitting in an office chair all day may not be the reason your the aging body is painful, but for me, prolonged time spent in the office makes the pain already present worse. I have a pelvic tilt that makes the surrounding areas inflamed whenever there is prolonged pressure while sitting. (You may have seen discussions on social media about tracks from “Heated Rivalry” invoking this posture issue.) Fortunately, I discovered a simple solution, supported by a physical therapist, for the pain I was experiencing, and it’s on sale right now for almost 40% off!
When my trainer Marty Lavine — who is also a physical therapist and owner of Push Gym in Colorado — handed me the Pso-Rite Muscle Release Tool, I had no idea that a U-shaped piece of plastic had the potential to relieve the back pain I suffer from after long days at work. Simply lie face down on the tool, positioning it so that the points of the U are just above your hip joints, and wait for the muscle to slowly begin to relax.
Before we explain why the tool works, let’s first explain what it’s supposed to do.
“The psoas (or iliopsoas) combines with the iliac muscle to form a large insertion on the femur,” Lavine said, which “helps create a vertical compressive force on the lumbar spine, helping to stabilize it.” In other words, this lesser-known muscle runs from the front of each hip down to your lower back, right next to the sacrum and lumbar spine, and holds your lower back in place when you’re sitting.
Such an important role in the body leaves room for a lot of pain if the psoas is irritated. “All muscle tissue is covered by a small fascial layer and if this is restricted for any reason, the muscle cannot function properly,” Lavine said. “These restrictions are thought to contribute to lower back pain, and when they are massaged or ‘released,’ you may get some relief from your pain.”
In my experience, using the tool creates the type of cathartic pain you would feel with a deep tissue massage.
There is a pinch as you settle in, and a slow release the longer you stay on the teeth of the U. The full effect sets in after about a minute for me personally and lasts a few days (but I rarely go that long between sessions.)
From my personal experience, the effect is immediate and long-lasting, and I asked Lavine how the tool works. “The Pso-Rite, if used correctly, can potentially penetrate deep enough to help release the iliopsoas muscle,” he said. So, lying on the device at home, even for a short time, can create a release that relieves pain.
As always, it’s best to consult a medical professional about your particular discomfort before engaging in this method, as experts caution that certain types of pain may require a more holistic approach.
“(The) pain is rarely caused by an isolated muscle and is much more related to how the spine and hips tolerate load and movement over time,” says physical therapist Jacob VanDenMeerendonk, who recommends using strength training to improve the situation. “Exercises that strengthen the core and hips while allowing controlled movement of the spine tend to be much more effective for long-term back pain,” he said.
While other physical therapy exercises have certainly been instrumental in healing and correcting my pelvic tilt and correlated lower back pain, the Pso-Rite tool provided a deeper and more immediate type of release. I use it the same way you would use Ibuprofen or Icy Hot: it’s a quick way to relieve severe pain and allows for other types of physical therapy exercises that, in turn, create more permanent solutions.
Keep scrolling to see some reviewer experiences or just grab one of these unique tools for yourself.
“Oh my God! I’ve had pain in the front of my right leg and groin for weeks, even months. I did all the stretches and exercises and nothing helped until I tackled this thing last night just because we had it at home and I thought it couldn’t hurt! It hurt, that’s the nature of this little beast, but whoa, it INSTANTLY made the pain better! And I knew right away that it would work because the left side, although uncomfortable, wasn’t bad, but on the right side I could feel a different pain, the pain that I had had for too long. Wow. I haven’t had lower back pain like they say with psoas issues, but the front of my leg and groin, and I feel so much better, it’s wild. Thanks to whoever invented this thing! » — lr2k
“Helped me be able to live my life again. Get it!!! I have suffered from leg and hip pain for over 5 years now, mainly only my left leg. I’m only 33, so I knew it was abnormal. I hit my leg so often with my massage gun that it bruised, and the pain was always there. I had tried everything so far, and this literally eliminated my leg pain which had been going on for 4 days straight now. I also used it on my locked shoulder and it helped a lot. This thing is great on your back, legs, hips, arms, just about everything! » -Kk
“35 years old, female, average weight and activity level. I stopped running years ago when hip bursitis ruined me. I had lower back and hip pain for years, which I believe came from an ankle injury 10 years ago. After two weeks of use with daily stretching and strength training, I have almost no more pain and I have corrected my left duck foot! I would definitely buy this overpriced piece of plastic again.
UPDATE: After 4 months, I still use it at least every two weeks and have had no return of pain. After a few weeks my muscles will start to tighten again and I can physically feel the Psoa-Rite loosening them, but nothing like the first experience. — The hawks“I noticed a lot of people were saying it was too expensive, but I think the $60 retail price I bought it for is a good deal. It really works really well.”
I foam roll often, 5 to 7 days a week, some days even twice. That being said, I have used foam rollers, probably purchasing Golds Gym variants once a year, for the last 4-5 years. These things easily cost $20. You will only need one pso-rite, the thing is as sturdy as it gets and you should never replace these things.
If you’re used to buying foam rollers and want something that goes deep into hard-to-reach muscles that you can’t reach with a foam roller, this product is perfect. IIt doesn’t replace foam rolling for me, but my groin, hamstrings, and hip flexors are finally loosening up and relaxing after trying everything. It’s worth every penny. This daily foam roller thing will allow me to continue working out daily the way I want. 100% would recommend it. —Chandler
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