Quadratus lumborum (QL)

Authors
Affiliations

Nate Yomogida, B.S., SPT

Doctor of Physical Therapy

B.S. in Kinesiology

Chloë Kerstein, B.S., SPT

Doctor of Physical Therapy

B.A. in Neuroscience

Muscles of the Iliac and Anterior femoral regions1

Muscles of the Iliac and Anterior femoral regions1
Figure 1: Muscles of the Abdomen2
Figure 2: Hip and Thigh Muscles2
Reading list
  • Quadratus lumborum3
  • Neuman4
  • MMT5
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Muscle Origin Insertion Innervation Action
Quadratus lumborum

Soft tissue massage

  • STM along iliac crest
  • STM from iliac crest to each origin at each TP
    • Go from iliac crest to each TP
    • Push down and under paraspinals
    • Work all the way up to the 12th rib
  • STM to anterior fibers

Stretching

  • Lateral breathing on wedge
    • Wedge under contralateral side and sidelying on contralateral side
    • Focus on breathing through ipsilateral side to create expansion

Exercises

  • Elevated hip hike
    • Ipsilateral leg is on a box
    • Contralateral leg is lower and raised up and down

Fascial considerations

  • If there is QL dysfunction, consider working on the glutes since the fascial lines cross from the glutes into the

Strain Counterstrain

References

1.
Gray H. Anatomy of the Human Body. 20th ed. (Lewis WH, ed.). Lea & Febiger; 1918. https://www.bartleby.com/107/
2.
Betts JG, Blaker W. Anatomy and Physiology. 2nd ed. OpenStax; 2022. https://openstax.org/details/books/anatomy-and-physiology-2e/?Book%20details
3.
Donnelly JM, Simons DG, eds. Travell, Simons & Simons’ Myofascial Pain and Dysfunction: The Trigger Point Manual. Third edition. Wolters Kluwer Health; 2019.
4.
Neumann DA, Kelly ER, Kiefer CL, Martens K, Grosz CM. Kinesiology of the Musculoskeletal System: Foundations for Rehabilitation. 3rd ed. Elsevier; 2017.
5.
Weinstock D. NeuroKinetic Therapy: An Innovative Approach to Manual Muscle Testing. North Atlantic Books; 2010.

Citation

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