The Quadratus Lumborum is a muscle located in the lower back region of the body. It is located on either side of the spine and runs between the last rib and the top of the hipbone.

The QL muscle is responsible for maintaining stability in the lower back and is involved in movements such as twisting and bending to the sides. It is also involved in breathing, as it helps to control the movement of the diaphragm. In addition, the QL can become tight or overworked due to poor posture, excessive physical activity, or injury. This can lead to low back pain and discomfort.

The QL is also used to stabilize the lowest rib.

Quadratus Lumborum pain refers to discomfort in the quadratus lumborum muscle, which is located deep below the spine on both sides. It is responsible for stabilizing the pelvis while a person stands upright.

It supports the core of your body and is the main cause of lower backache.

In this blog, we will be educating you about the causes of Quadratus Lumborum injury and treatments associated with it!

What is the Cause of the Quadratus Lumborum Injury?

There are many reasons it could be causing you pain. It is quite common for the QL muscles to become tight or overactive. This is because it compensates for weaker muscles in the area.

It can also become tight from repetitive movements, such as twisting, bent or lifting incorrectly. This puts additional stress on the muscle.

Trigger points can form in tightened muscles and muscle bands.

Uneven leg length or trauma can also lead to an increase in QL tightness, and the development of pain.

Quadratus lumborum pain can be caused by many things, including:

Too much sitting

Constant contraction or tightening can occur when you sit for long periods of time. Muscle fatigue can be caused by constant contraction. It can become painful and inflexible if the blood flow to the muscles is reduced.

Poor posture

Bad posture can cause pain by placing extra stress on the quadratus Lumborum when you are standing or sitting.

The muscle can become tight and sore by sitting too low, leaning on one side or slouching.

Weak muscles

It can make other muscles work harder if the Quadratus Lumborum muscles are weak.

The quadratus lumborum must work harder to support the body when other muscles in the pelvic and back are weak. The quadratus lumborum muscles can become overworked and tense eventually.

Unequal leg length

An uneven leg length can put additional strain on many muscles, including the quadratus Lumborum.

If one leg is shorter or longer than the other, the pelvis could be higher on the side with the longer leg. Tilting of the pelvis can also cause a shorter quadratus lumborum which can strain the muscle.

Trauma

The quadratus lumborum, like any other muscle, can be injured. Quadratus lumborum pain can result from injury to the quadratus lumborum muscle due to a sports injury or a car accident.

An injury can also result from common everyday activities. The quadratus lumborum can be injured by incorrect or awkward lifting of heavy objects.

Treatments to relieve your Quadratus Lumborum muscles from pain

Several treatments may help relieve quadratus lumborum pain. Home treatment can be helpful in some cases. Other cases may require a combination home treatment and medical treatments to relieve the discomfort.

The severity of your pain may dictate which treatment is most effective. Some of them are listed below:

Yoga

Stretching yoga may be able to relieve quadratus lumborum discomfort.

Yoga is a series of stretches and poses that can help reduce quadratus lumborum discomfort. Yoga can help reduce discomfort and disability caused by ongoing low back pain.

Yoga may even improve the physical function of people suffering from chronic back pain.

Medications

Quadratus Lumborum pain may be reduced by drugs such as pain medication and muscle relaxants.

Side effects of some pain medications, including drowsiness, dry lips and fatigue, can occur. These should be avoided unless prescribed by doctors.

Trigger point injections

To decrease tenderness, a trigger point injection is when medication is administered directly to the trigger point.

An anesthetic injection can effectively numb the area. Sometimes, an injection of a steroid may be necessary to reduce inflammation.

Trigger point injections can be used to reduce muscle spasms and quadratus lumborum pain.

Physiotherapy

Quadratus lumborum pain can be treated with Physiotherapy in Manchester. It can reduce muscle tightness and increase blood circulation to the area. When QL pain is severe, physiotherapy can be a great option. If you are suffering from QL pain, make sure to see a chartered expert of Physiotherapy in Stockport or Manchester. They have the right training and can target the problem area.

Heat or Ice

Ice may be applied to the affected area to reduce inflammation. Whereas, heat can be used to increase blood flow and decrease pain.

To ease back pain, you can alternate between heat and cold packs. Warm baths can also be beneficial.

Exercises for strengthening

To prevent Quadratus Lumborum pain from recurring, it is important to have access to strengthening exercises. An experienced Chronic Pain Specialist will be able to recommend the best exercises for strengthening your core, lower back, and bum. This will prevent future Quadratus Lumborum pain.

Overhead reach

Stand with your feet hip-width apart. Reach your left arm up over the head, and then lean to the side. For 20 seconds, hold the position and then switch to the other side. You can use stretching to help the Quadratus Lumborum muscle. It will provide short-term pain relief. You can surely consult a physiotherapist to help you determine the best stretches for your Quadratus Lumborum pain.

Closing words

Quadratus Lumborum pain can have a variety of outcomes depending on its severity. However, it is possible to manage the pain successfully by treating it promptly when symptoms begin.

Sometimes, it can take a long time to heal the muscle. Most people will experience a decrease in their symptoms if they use a combination of all the above treatments.

At CT Clinic, we have come up with a collaborative program, named COPA therapy. COPA stands for Chiropractic treatment, Osteopathy, Physiotherapy and Acupuncture.

It has the capacity to treat all your health concerns and improve the quality of your life.

To book an appointment connect with us at (+44) 0161 4597 034!