Did you Know about your TFL?

TFL- Tensor Facia Lata - A muscle that you use to rotate your leg is usually overworked and overstressed everyday. So many times students come to class and talk about lower back pain and one of the first things I look at is the direction they point their toes. As soon as I see them point their toes outward, I know they have imbalance in some muscles. We are meant to walk with our toes forward but by walking with our toes or feet to be correct turned out, they are using the TFL to walk instead of the PSOAS. Two completely different set of muscles. If they use the TFL, they are also overusing the Gluteus Medius and then their will always be issues with the lower back.  So take a moment- take a walk, look down and see which direction your feet are pointing. Towards one another? Away from one another? oR Straight forward? Remember the Psoas is meant to flex the hip and to help pick up your legs.