Has anyone asked you how your Quadratus Lumborum was doing lately? Probably not. I doubt your bodyworker/massage therapist ever mentioned it in passing. Well, here is some information you should know. It arises by aponeurotic fibers from the iliolumbar ligament and the adjacent portion of the iliac crest for about 5 cm., and is inserted into the lower border of the last 12th rib for about half its length, and by four small tendons into the aponeurosis of the four transverse processes of the lumbar vertabrae

 So what does this all mean? Well, I guarantee you that if a knowledgeable therapist presses on your quadratus lumborum and their origins, you will probably experience some intense sensation.  What are its actions?  Lateral flexion mainly and little bit of extension. I have heard statistics that 65% of all back pain can be traced to the imbalances in the Quadratus lumborum muscle. If I were looking for a massage continuing education course, I would certainly search for a teacher who would inform me about about the mechanics in dealing with and re-balancing the quadratus lumborum and its attachments to lumbar vertebrae and 12th rib. If they are imbalanced, they are putting pressure on the disc; if there’s pressure on the disc; there is pressure on the nerve root; if there’s pressure on the nerve root than there is going to be a diminished signal and more than likely ischemic tissue and PAIN. 

 Golfers experience a lot of lower back pain. They are constantly going into lateral flexion and extension because of the violent swing and the twist.  Want to make a lot of money as a massage therapist, find a course that teaches you how to deal with lower back pain. Then apply what you’ve learned to alleviating the pain in as many golfer’s backs as you can get to lie on your table. I promise you, that any massage continuing education course teaching back pain should educate you in the functioning of the quadratus lumborum. This knowledge will support your practice for the rest of your life if you can plant the seed within a golf community in your town. I have never met a serious golfer that did not deal with a lower back discomfort and in some cases debilitating back  pain.  It’s a very easy technique to apply when the patient is in prone position  or in the side lying posture where you can also deal with a tensor fascia lata muscle and the IT band. As I’ve mentioned in my previous articles, if you are searching for a course in continuing education for the massage community, it is extremely important to find one  which will teach you techniques that are effective in dealing with the painful conditions that your clients bring to your massage practice. In my next article I will discuss this psoas muscle and its relationship to the quadratus lumborum. If you learn the nine  muscular secrets to back pain in your next massage continuing education course, you will be a successful massage therapist, guaranteed!