Why Everyone Needs to Be Talking About the Iliopsoas—And What You Can Do About It

Fernanda Santiago • April 12, 2025

I’ve seen it firsthand—day after day, client after client. When I first started in physical therapy over two decades ago, I worked in a practice where 70% of our patients were geriatric. I remember noticing that every waiting room chair had armrests. Why? Because many of our patients couldn’t get up without them. That detail stuck with me.

Fast forward to a new clinic years later, where I offered to donate a couch for the waiting room. I was quickly told, “We can’t have anything too low—our patients wouldn’t be able to get up.” And that’s when it really hit me.

Why is it that so many people lose the basic ability to get up and down from a chair—or worse, from the floor?

Then I traveled to Thailand for advanced studies, and I saw a completely different reality. I watched an elderly woman in the countryside, probably in her 80s, casually squatting deep to smoke a cigarette. It was eye-opening. No armrests. No fear. Full-body functionality.

We have normalized dysfunction here. We’ve accepted chronic pain, reduced mobility, and disconnection from our bodies as an inevitable part of aging or living a busy life. But it doesn't have to be that way.

For the last decade, I’ve emphasized one key thing to my clients and family: you must be able to get up and down from the floor. Deep squats, flexibility, and awareness of your body’s alignment are essential—not just for athletes, but for everyone. Because if you lose that ability, you’re losing a huge part of your independence.

Just recently, I had a family member end up in the hospital because of severe pain that felt very deep in the low back region. It progressively got worse over the weeks. The doctors ruled out organ issues, but the pain remained. As I started to ask questions, everything about it sounded familiar. She said it didn’t “feel muscular” like other injuries—it was sharp, deep, and aggravated by sitting. I sent a referral to one of my mentors, a specialist in neuromuscular and orthopedic massage with decades of clinical experience.

And bingo. Just as I suspected, the sneaky iliopsoas was the culprit. After proper treatment, the pain vanished.

I’ve seen this scenario play out over and over again. This is why I take this work to heart. It's not just theory—it's real lives being impacted, pain being resolved, and people getting their lives back.

Over the years, I’ve worked with athletes, desk workers, chronic pain sufferers, and people with degenerative diseases. Many came to me after trying massage after massage, looking for relief. Some had low back pain, some groin tightness, others foot or knee issues that just wouldn’t resolve. And most of the time, the culprit was the same: the iliopsoas.

The deep hip flexors are often misunderstood and overlooked. It’s the root cause of so many pain patterns—but most treatments only address the symptoms. And I get it: not everyone wants to go deep. Some therapists fear causing discomfort or stepping outside their comfort zones. But real healing doesn’t come from staying surface-level.

When you treat from a place of heart, integrity, and skill, clients feel that. When you learn how to treat the iliopsoas in a way that is trauma-informed, respectful, and effective, you are offering something far beyond a temporary fix—you are giving them tools to reclaim their mobility and their quality of life.

That’s why I developed Iliopsoas Mastery: A Trauma-Informed, Neuromuscular & Thai Massage Approach for the Modern Therapist.

This training brings together everything I’ve learned—from neuromuscular therapy and working alongside European physiotherapists, to Thai massage and body mechanics. It’s integrative, it’s grounded, and it’s transformative.

Whether you’re a therapist who wants to go beyond symptom-chasing, or you’re ready to give your clients real, lasting relief—this class is for you.

Our expert team comes from diverse backgrounds and brings a rich blend of clinical and traditional approaches to share with students.

Dates to be announced soon!

Don't miss this opportunity to deepen your skills, transform your practice, and help your clients in ways that truly matter.

Because the ability to rise—from the floor, from pain, from limitations—is something every person deserves.

Stay tuned—and get ready to master the muscle that could change everything.

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The Discount Dilemma: Why Spa Businesses Should Proceed with Caution

By Fernanda Santiago • April 20, 2024

In the competitive world of spa services, it's tempting to resort to discounts and specials to attract clients. While creating seasonal offerings can be helpful to engage current clients, attract new clients and encourage them to try new services, we don’t want to fall into the trap of offering specials too often. While it may seem like a quick fix to fill appointment slots and boost revenue, this approach can actually be detrimental to your business in the long run. Here’s why: Devaluation of Services: Constantly offering specials can devalue the perception of your services in the eyes of your clients. When clients become accustomed to discounted rates, they may hesitate to book appointments at full price in the future, leading to a decrease in overall revenue. Attracting Price-Sensitive Clients: Clients who are primarily attracted to specials and discounts are often more price-sensitive and less loyal. They may shop around for the cheapest deal rather than forming a long-term relationship with your spa. This can result in a higher churn rate and lower client retention. Erosion of Brand Image: Your spa's brand image is crucial for attracting high-value clients and standing out in the market. Constantly offering specials can cheapen your brand image and undermine the perception of quality and exclusivity that you've worked hard to cultivate. Negative Impact on Profit Margins: Continuously discounting services can erode your profit margins over time. While specials may initially attract clients, the reduced revenue per service can ultimately outweigh the benefits of filling appointment slots, especially when factoring in the cost of providing the service. Difficulty in Upselling: When clients are accustomed to discounted rates, they may be less receptive to upselling additional services or premium treatments at full price. This can limit your ability to maximize revenue per client and hinder the growth of your business. While offering specials occasionally can be a strategic marketing tactic, constantly relying on discounts can have detrimental effects on your spa business. Instead, focus on highlighting the unique benefits of your services, building long-term client relationships, and maintaining the perceived value of your offerings to ensure the sustainable growth and success of your spa. In other words, work with what you’ve got! The Power of Highlighting Services: A Strategic Approach for Spa Professionals Here’s why we believe that highlighting your services creates a more sustainable and effective approach: Value Perception: When you highlight a service, you're showcasing its unique benefits and value proposition. This elevates the perceived value in the eyes of your clients, making them more willing to pay full price. Building Expertise and Trust: By focusing on specific services, you position yourself as an expert in those areas. Clients are more likely to trust your expertise and recommendations, leading to higher retention rates and client satisfaction. Targeted Marketing: Highlighting services allows you to target specific client needs and preferences. This enables you to tailor your marketing efforts more effectively, attracting clients who are genuinely interested in the services you offer. Filling Open Slots Strategically: Instead of resorting to blanket discounts that can devalue your services, strategically highlight services that have open slots on your schedule. By showcasing these services to your clients, you can fill those slots while maintaining the perceived value of your offerings. Encouraging Repeat Business: When clients experience the full benefits of a highlighted service, they're more likely to return for future appointments. This fosters long-term client relationships and generates consistent revenue for your spa. In conclusion, highlighting services offers a more sustainable and valuable approach for spa professionals compared to giving discounts or specials. By focusing on the unique benefits of each service, you can keep clients engaged, fill open slots on your schedule, and ultimately grow your spa business.