The Quadratus Lumborum (QL) muscle can be tricky for your massage therapist to reach.
The QLs are located deep in the abdomen, but oddly enough, causes a majority of low back pain. Stretching from the posterior ilium (the large round bone at the top of your hip), along the lumbar spine, the QL ends on the twelfth (last) rib. There is one on each side of your body.
The majority of the Quadratus Lumborum is deep to the Psoas and the Erectors, making only the lateral (outside) edge accessible to manipulation by a therapist.
What Does the Quadratus Lumborum Muscle Do?
When engaging just one of these muscles, the QL laterally tilts the pelvis, giving it the nickname “hip hiker.” If you lift your hip up towards your shoulder, that’s lateral tilt.
Similarly, if you flex your torso to the side, you are using the Quadratus Lumborum on that side.
As a pair, the QL muscles help stabilize the last rib, especially when breathing forcefully.
Why Does My QL Hurt?
Prolonged periods of sitting keep these muscles contracted which can lead to a loss of circulation and the development of adhesions, or knots.
Often the QL muscles help maintain your posture if your lower back muscles are weak. Over time, this also leads to overuse, spasms, and muscle fatigue.
In patients with kyphosis, an abnormal rounded curvature of the spine, their body weight is shifted forward. This places more pressure on the QLs, the lower back, and other structures further up the body.
Scoliosis, an abnormal lateral curve of the spine (picture an “S” shape), will often involve a weakened or fatigued Quadratus Lumborum.
Quadratus Lumborum Trigger Points
There are a few main trigger point locations in Quadratus Lumborum.
The uppermost point refers pain to the SacroIliac (SI) joint and the lateral hip.
The middle points are responsible for pain directly over the SI joint.
The lowest points refer pain into the buttock on the same side.
The trigger points that refer pain over to the sacrum are often misdiagnosed as SI joint dysfunction.
Some patients report a “jolting pain” to the front of the thigh from trigger points deep in the QL.
Massage for the Quadratus Lumborum
As you can see from the illustrations, reaching the QL takes patience and is often best achieved by a side-lying position.
Deep tissue techniques are best to “sink” down past other muscles to address trigger points along the lateral edge.
In particularly thin clients, it may be possible to access the QL by sinking in through the abdomen, however, many find this to be quite uncomfortable.
When you see me for issues with your QL, I will send you home with several stretching exercises designed to help strengthen and relax this notoriously difficult muscle.
