Low back pain is an increasing issue in our society dominated by poor posture, sedentary lifestyles, and chronic sitting patterns. The source of low back pain can vary, but a great deal of these muscular dysfunctions emanate from the quadratus lumborum muscles.
Most of us are quite familiar with the erector spinae muscles that travel from the hip crest/sacrum to various points up the vertebrae and ribs. These muscles function primarily as extensors of the back. Few people (including yoga teachers) are aware of the all important quadratus lumborum muscles that are located deep to the erector spinae.
The quadratus lumborum muscles sit on either side of the vertebrae. They originate on the iliac crest (hip bone) and insert on the transverse processes of the lumbar vertebrae and the 12th (last) rib. When both sides contract, they extend the spine (and/or depress the ribcage from behind). When only one-side contracts, the spine flexes laterally and/or elevates the ilium (hip) on that same side. In forced expiration, the quadratus lumborum will fix the 12 ribs.
Dysfunction and low back pain can settle into the quadratus lumborum under a few conditions:
*if the erector spinae are weak or inhibited (as they often are in chronic seated postures), the quadratus lumborum attempts to take up the slack and loading in back extension and spinal stabilization leading to overall muscle fatigue.
*if muscle imbalances build up across the pelvis (i.e. tight hip flexors), the lower vertebrae can shift into chronic excessive curvature (lordosis), which will shorten and weaken the quadratus lumborum and erector spinae.
*if poor posture and upper body muscle tension forms across the chest and shoulders, rounded-back posture (kyphosis) will pull the rib cage up and away from the hip crest. This places stress and drag on the quadratus lumborum and portions of the erector spinae.
*the deep gluteals (gluteus medius and gluteus minimus) are responsible for hip abduction and pelvic stabilization in walking and other gait patterns. If these deep gluteal muscles are weak and inhibited, the quadratus lumborum and tensor fascia latae have to compensate to stabilize the pelvis.
*some physical experts have also found that tight hip adductor muscles (groin) can inhibit (through reciprocal inhibition) the gluteus medius muscles. As mentioned above, the quadratus lumborum muscle may compensate for the gluteus medius muscle’s lack of activity and pelvic stabilization.
Understanding that the dysfunction residing in the quadratus lumborum is often the result of dysfunction and tension imbalances coming from other muscles, here are some initial approaches to maintaining health of the quadratus lumborum:
*develop a strategy to maintain fluid balance in upper and lower body posture patterns to avoid chronic hip flexor tightness, back extensor tension, and loss of natural vertebral curvature and pelvic placement
*stretch the chest, front of the shoulders, hip flexors, groin, and lower back frequently
*strengthen back extensors and overall core stabilizers
*strengthen and stretch deep gluteals to unload unnecessary engage of the quadratus lumborum
*engage in proper therapeutic treatments when discomfort and pain develop
Here are some basic, accessible stretches readily prescribed to restore and maintain flexibility in the quadratus lumborum muscles:
Child’s Pose
Seated / Supported Side Bends
Lying Bend Knee Twists
When aiming to stretch the quadratus lumborum muscles and other lower back musculature, I would personally recommend avoid using forward bends like Uttanasana (Standing Forward Bend), Paschimottasana (Seated Two Leg Forward Bend) and other similar poses. Due to the nature of intervertebral disc compression in spinal flexion, these types of forward bends should actually involve engagement of the back extensors and transverse abdomen in order to extend the spine, shift the ‘flexion’ into the hips, unload the lower vertebrae and protect against disc compression.
Kreg Weiss 
Thank you for sharing this! I`ve recently had problems with my QL and glutes. I work as a yoga teacher and massage therapist, and when both stretching and getting body work only gave me temporary relief, I sought help from a manual therapist. He found that my L4+L5 joints were locked and explained that this triggers the QL. It is hardly ever the other way around; that tight QL`s “locks” the facet joints of the lumbars. The tight QL then fires up the glutes, and you may experiene tightness and pain across the buttocks. So if problems persists, it may be helpful to get the lumbar checked for immobilized vertebraes.
Your poses are great to maintain the mobililty of these joints. I would also suggest adding movement to the last one; reclined twist: drop knees on exhale, bring knees up on inhale – like a windshield wiper. Start with feet close to sitting bones, this will keep the movement mainly in the thoracic vertebraes. Then move feet further away and repeat. Now you will engange the lumbar vertebraes more.
Thank you again!
Namastè, Lisbeth