Hip pain · Back pain · Sciatica
Still in pain? There may be a tight muscle behind all of it.
In a study (RCT) of 25 adults with chronic low back pain, iliacus and psoas release with the Hip Hook worked better than stretching and they felt 71% less muscle tension.
After just 90 seconds.
Already know what you need?
Don't take our word for it
Real Reddit users and verified customers
Find your tension pattern
Clinically endorsed
Recommended by 2,000+ clinicians
Physical therapists, chiropractors, athletic trainers, and physicians integrate Aletha tools into their patient care.
“If your hip flexors are too tight, it can tilt the pelvis and affect the alignment of the spine and shoulders. Hip, back, and neck issues are often connected and I'm glad to see myofascial products that support the whole body rather than just one specific area.
”
“Tight hip flexors are the single most common limiter I see across pro athletes, weekend warriors, and patients. The Hip Hook reaches the iliacus from the angle a clinician's hands would and lets people maintain it between visits, which is the part the healthcare system can't deliver.
”
“In orthopedic practice, we see patients who have done everything right, the exercises, the stretching, the strengthening, and still have lower back or hip pain. Most of the time, the missing piece is chronic tension in the iliacus and psoas. The Hip Hook is the first at-home tool I've seen that actually addresses it with the same mechanism we use clinically.
”
The trial. The data. The methodology.
Randomized controlled trial. Conducted with Evolve Well Research Partners and Biostrap. Here's what the data shows.
Research Partners
Why nothing else has worked
PT. Chiropractic. Massage. Foam rolling. Stretching. They all help, but none of them release the one muscle that's been driving the problem.
The iliacus is a deep hip flexor that lives inside your pelvic bone. When it gets chronically tight — and in modern bodies, it almost always does — it pulls your pelvis forward, compresses your lumbar spine, and creates a cascade of tension through your hips, lower back, and beyond.
It's the muscle most tools physically can't reach. Foam rollers can't access it. Massage guns can't sustain pressure on it. Your own hands can't get the angle. Even most PTs don't release it manually anymore because it takes time most insurance won't cover.
That's the missing piece. Once the iliacus releases, everything else you've been doing — the stretching, the strengthening, the alignment work — finally has a foundation to work from.
See if iliacus & psoas tension is driving your pain
WHAT OTHER TOOLS DO
- Foam rollers — increase circulation, provide temporary relief. Rolling motion doesn't allow sustained pressure long enough for the muscle to relax.
- Massage / percussion guns — introduce vibration. Rapid percussion actually prevents the sustained pressure needed for muscle release.
- Lacrosse / therapy balls — round shape can't hook into the iliac fossa to access the iliacus.
- Stretching — lengthens a tense muscle, but the underlying tension stays.
WHAT THE HIP HOOK DOES
- Sustained, prolonged pressure on the iliacus (ischemic compression) — the established PT technique, in a tool you can use yourself.
- Shaped specifically to access the iliac fossa from the angle a clinician's hand would.
- 90 seconds per release. The duration needed to signal the nervous system to actually let the muscle relax.
- Targets the keystone muscle first — alignment cascades downstream automatically.
How It Works
Release. Realign. Restore. In about 90 seconds.
Free Step-by-step Support
15 minutes a day. 90-second releases. The app provides step-by-step guidance from a physical therapist. Where to place it, what you should feel, how to find your tight spot. Support is always available.
See it explained.
Meet the Founder
Built by a PT who watched the system fail her patients for 25 years
Christine Annie spent 25 years as a physical therapist watching the same patients come back with the same problem — chronic tension in muscles like the iliacus that no foam roller, massage gun, or insurance-limited PT session could address.
She designed the Hip Hook to do with a tool what she used to do with her fingers.
Shop Muscle Release
Explore Muscle Release
Have a question? Ask a PT.
Not sure about muscle tension and your personal situation? Submit your question. Our team of physical therapists and movement specialist will typically reply within 2 business days.
FAQs
How is this different from a foam roller or a massage gun?
Foam rollers apply pressure while moving across the muscle — they increase circulation but don't sustain pressure long enough to release chronic tension. Massage guns use vibration, which actually prevents the sustained pressure muscles need to relax. The Hip Hook uses ischemic compression: sustained, prolonged pressure on a specific point. Same mechanism a PT uses with their thumb — delivered through a tool you can use on yourself, on a muscle (the iliacus) that those other tools physically can't reach.
I've already done PT. Why would this work when that didn't?
Physical therapy is excellent at assessment, exercise prescription, and movement re-education. Modern PT visits are short and insurance-limited, and the profession has largely shifted away from extensive hands-on manual therapy. The Hip Hook isn't a replacement for PT — it provides the part most patients aren't getting consistently: daily, sustained iliacus release. Many PTs recommend the Hip Hook to extend their work between sessions.
What if I don't have lower back pain? Does this still apply?
The RCT studied lower back pain, but iliacus tension affects more than the lower back. Tight hip flexors are tied to hip pain, sciatica-like symptoms, knee issues from altered gait, and posture problems in the upper body. Take the quiz to see what's likely driving your specific pattern — or use the Ask a PT form to describe your situation and get a personalized response.
How long until I notice something?
In the RCT, the intervention group saw a 27% reduction in pain and 24% reduction in muscle tension after a single 90-second use. 75% of participants felt less muscle tension after one session. With consistent use (three times per week for four weeks), participants saw additional improvements in sleep duration and physical function — and pain relief was sustained for up to two weeks after the study ended.
Does the app work without the Hip Hook?
The app is built around the Hip Hook and the Orbit. There's free educational content available, but the protocols are designed for the tools.
What's the return policy?
Before starting a return, do you need help using your product?
If you have questions about using your product, please refer to the instruction manuals and our How-To videos for each product. You can also reach out to our customer support team with any questions about using the Aletha Health products. Email us here.
60-Day Return Policy
We offer a 60-day return policy. The eligible return period begins on the day that you actually receive your package in the mail and ends 60 days from the day your order was delivered. If more than 60 days have passed since your order was delivered, we cannot offer you a refund.
It is our intention with this 60-day policy to give you enough time to use your product(s) and make sure it is right for you. Everyone’s situation is unique, so the time to see improvement may vary. Be patient and give it time to work for you. Consistency produces the best results.
Returns Processing Fee
Returns are subject to a $19 return processing fee.
During checkout, we offer you the option to unlock free return shipping later for the eligible items in your order by paying a small fee at the time of purchase. This fee is non-refundable.
- If you opted in and paid this fee during checkout, there is no additional charge for shipping your items back to us for a return.
- If you did not select this option, you will be subject to a $19 return processing fee later when you initiate a return.
Find out if this is right for you
5 minutes. 12 questions.A personalized release plan.
The quiz pinpoints which pattern is most likely driving your pain — and tells you whether the Hip Hook will help.