Travell and Simons refer to the QL muscle as the “joker of low back pain” and the “hip hiker.'“ Quadratus lumborum trigger points are very common in cases of low back pain. Trail guide to the body: A hands-on guide to locating muscles, bones and more.

Tightness in the QL can lead to a tight low back. When we think of moving this muscle we can think of lifting our hip up toward our shoulder or hiking our hip up. Unilaterally - laterally flex the vertebral column to the same side (side bend)īilaterally - Fix the last rib (12th rib) during forced inhale or exhaleīilaterally - Help to extend the vertebral column Unilaterally - laterally tilt or elevate the pelvis (lift the hip up) The QL muscle has the least of these fibers and they crisscross with the iliolumbar fibers. Lumbocostal fibers: Diagonally from the 12th rib to the spaces between L2-L4 or L5 for some people. These fibers are less in number and extend medial to the iliocostal fibers. Iliolumbar fibers: diagonally from the transverse processes of L1-L4 to the same iliac attachment below. Iliocostal fibers: vertically from the 12th rib down to the crest of the ilium and the iliolumbar ligament. The QL muscle has three distinct fiber directions: QL tightness can make it difficult to bend or twist from the low back. It inserts along the last rib (12th rib) and the transverse processes of the 1st through 4th lumbar vertebrae.īased on the origin and insertion of the QL muscle, we can see that it pulls the back of the hip and low back closer together. The quadratus lumborum muscle originates along the posterior iliac crest.

Travell and simons feet muscles