Quadratus Lumborum Pain Treatment Oakville
At our clinic in Oakville we hear it every day, I was doing nothing, then “BAM”, I was on all fours and couldn’t move. This could be a quadratus lumborum. Oakville patients saying “My wife has to help me put my socks on” and “I can’t sit in a chair for more than 1 minute without crippling back pain”. If this is happening to your call the clinic and follow these icing instructions and the rescue position.
Low Back and Quadratus Lumborum Treatment
Too often the cause of QL back pain is misdiagnosed. Sciatica, disc herniation, torn muscle, just to name a few. Dr. Steve says “Doctors and patients waste needless energy and time on x-rays, CT scans and MRI’s when the problem is basically mechanical low back pain”. Some patients call it Lumbar Triangle Pain or think its a kidney issue!
Quadratus Lumborum Muscle (QL) gets tight, pulling on the spine joints, spine gets misaligned and causes a rotation at your thoracolumbar junction and lumbar spine. It could also be the cause or a secondary injury from an SI Joint injury.
Pain around the quadratus lumborum can overlap with pain from the lower thoracic and upper lumbar spine. The painful spot does not always identify where the problem starts. Doctor Steve and Doctor Alex assess the lumbar spine, pelvis and nearby muscles to see what fits the symptoms. Read our guide to thoracolumbar junction pain in Oakville
This causes pain and for most patients to walk into our Oakville clinic looking like a ‘C’.
Treatment from your Oakville Chiropractor and some manual chiropractic adjustments are usually what the patient needs!
How We Treat Quadratus Lumborum Pain
Pain in the side of the lower back can involve the quadratus lumborum, the lumbar spine, the thoracolumbar junction, the sacroiliac region
or more than one of these areas. Dr. Steve assesses the location of your pain, how your back and hips move, and which findings reproduce your symptoms before choosing treatment. The QL is not assumed to be the cause based on pain location alone.
Treatment is matched to the examination. Suction IFC and heat can be used to help settle muscle guarding and make movement more comfortable. When the QL has a distinct, tender muscle or trigger-point pattern, Shockwave Therapy may be applied to that area. Active Release Technique (ART) and IASTM can address sensitive or restricted soft tissue around the QL and nearby muscles.
Manual adjustments may be used for the lumbar spine, lower thoracic spine and thoracolumbar junction when the examination supports them. The SI region is assessed as well, and treatment is directed there when it fits the findings. Treatment can also include guidance on comfortable movement and exercises to help restore activity and reduce the chance of repeated overload.
Quadratus Lumborum Strain Treatment
How does your QL and Quadratus Lumborum affect back pain?
The Quadratus Lumborum….small but bulky muscle about an inch or two from your spine on both sides of your lower back. The QL can be injured from sitting, from lifting, from rotation movements and from just bad posture. You might have a weak core and the QL is making up for the loss of strength to all of a sudden go BAM, your down on all fours, taking a week of unpaid leave from work wondering what the heck happened.
Sudden forces during a motor vehicle accident can strain the quadratus lumborum and surrounding lower back muscles. Our motor vehicle accident injury treatment Oakville program addresses these types of muscular injuries following collisions.
Anatomy Video of Quadratus Lumborum Pain
Our Oakville chiropractic team finds the QL to be involved in most back pain cases. Usually, a combination of Quadratus Lumborum tightness and SI (Sacroiliac Joint Dysfunction) is the culprit.
It pulls on the top of the Sacroiliac joint which is most likely the cause of your “I need to go to emergency now back pain” . Tight QL, some lumbar and lower thoracic misalignments and BAM, SI joint is out and all you can think of is how to stop the worst pain in your life. In most cases by the time you think about taking care of your back, it’s too late and the damage is already done. Get in now, before it’s too late.
How can an Oakville chiropractor help your fix your Quadratus Lumborum?
Treatment at our Oakville chiropractic clinic can come in many forms for thoracolumbar junction pain and quadratus lumborum injury. Most patients will receive Heat, IFC, ART, Manual Chiropractic Adjustments and a preventative strategy from this back pain happening again. Most QL/SI joint issues take between 8 and 12 visits to correct 90%. Treatment for the more stubborn cases of low back pain can include acupuncture and shockwave therapy. More can be found out acupuncture treatment in Oakville here.
Looking for Physiotherapy Treatment in Oakville? Check out Vinaya and her Physio Team!
For help with pain or discomfort please contact your local chiropractor in Oakville at 905-827-4197
Book A Quadratus Lumborum Appointment
Quadratus Lumborum Pain Treatment Oakville FAQS
What is the Quadratus Lumborum muscle and why does it cause low back pain?
The Quadratus Lumborum (QL) is a deep muscle in the lower back that connects your pelvis to your spine and lower ribs. It helps stabilize your spine and control side-bending movements. When the QL becomes tight, overworked, or strained, it can create deep, aching low back pain that is often mistaken for joint or disc pain.
How can I tell if my back pain is coming from the Quadratus Lumborum?
QL pain is often felt deep in one side of the lower back and may worsen with side-bending, prolonged sitting, or standing up from a chair. Many patients describe stiffness or pulling when twisting. At our Oakville clinic, we assess movement patterns, posture, and muscle tension to determine whether the Quadratus Lumborum is contributing to your symptoms.
What causes Quadratus Lumborum tightness?
Common causes include prolonged sitting, poor posture, carrying weight on one side, repetitive bending or twisting, and muscle imbalances around the hips and pelvis. When the QL works too hard to stabilize the spine, it can become tight and painful.
How does Oakville chiropractic treatment help Quadratus Lumborum pain?
At our Oakville chiropractic clinic, we combine spinal adjustments with muscle therapy techniques such as heat, IFC, Active Release Technique (ART), and shockwave therapy. This approach reduces muscle tension, improves joint mechanics, increases circulation, and helps restore proper movement in the lower back.
Can a tight Quadratus Lumborum cause pain into the hip or pelvis?
Yes. The QL connects directly to the pelvis and can refer pain into the hip, sacroiliac joint, or even the upper glute area. When the muscle is tight or inflamed, it can create pain patterns that mimic other lower back conditions.
How long does it take to recover from Quadratus Lumborum strain?
Recovery depends on how long the muscle has been irritated and how consistently treatment and home exercises are followed. Many patients begin noticing improvement within several visits when muscle therapy and corrective exercises are combined.
What exercises help prevent Quadratus Lumborum pain from returning?
Stability exercises that strengthen the core and glute muscles are important for preventing QL overload. Controlled side-bending movements, proper posture, and avoiding prolonged sitting also help reduce strain on the lower back.