What is it? The Quadratus Lumborum or "QL" for short is a flat sheet of muscle spanning the gap between the top of the hips and the bottom ribs.

What does it do?

The QL helps stabilize the spine, allows you to bend sideways, helps with breathing by pulling down on the bottom ribs so you can exhale and allows you to lift your hip up "hip hike" stabilizing you when you walk. So it's a vitally important muscle!

Why does it get sore?

Essentially because it's overworked and unable to eliminate the wastes and toxins being produced. These toxins irritate the nerves and cause pain which causes the muscle to lock-up or ‘spasm' in an effort to prevent any further damage.

Unfortunately muscles rely on contraction to remove toxins through the veins for elimination and excretion via the kidneys. This can lead to a cycle of pain and spasm resulting in heavily reduced muscle function.

How does Good Massage help?

A good deep tissue massage to the areas marked ‘x' above and the muscle belly can break the ‘pain spasm' cycle by manually squeezing toxins away, stimulating the release of endorphins and improving the flow of nutrient rich blood to the muscle. Thus restoring muscle function within a few treatments.

If you have an aching lower back or pain in the areas indicated by the red shading above or just a tight and stiff lower back then your QL may well be responsible.

A good deep tissue massage can produce a relief you never thought possible.

Feel free to phone and discuss your condition and arrange an assessment with me or be referred on to another professional if necessary.