| Let's face it, injury prevention and health and | | | | Stretching Quadratus Lumborum is more |
| wellness are important, but the reality is that in | | | | challenging then strengthing due to the challenge |
| addition to that many of us have goals and ideals | | | | of accessing it since it lies extremely deep in the |
| of how our abdominal muscles should look as well | | | | abdominal wall with superficial muscles covering it |
| as perform. | | | | at most points. It is accessible on the posterior / |
| Abdominal muscles have become interchangeably | | | | back side of the lumbar curve of the back on the |
| associated with our core muscles in our society | | | | outer sides of the torso, deep to the oblique |
| but abs do not complete a strong core. There are | | | | abdominal muscles. Due to the involvement of |
| many other muscles involved. A significant but far | | | | Quadratus Lumborum in so many daily activities it |
| too frequently overlooked core muscle is the | | | | frequently becomes tight and is a likely culprit or |
| Quadratus Lumborum, the deepest muscle of the | | | | at a minimal involved when someone is |
| abdominal wall. | | | | experiencing low back pain. |
| Quadratus Lumborum is involved in extension of | | | | While there are a variety of stretches that |
| the low back, hiking the hip up to the same side, | | | | provide a partial stretch to Quadratus Lumborum, |
| and breathing due to its attachment to the 12th | | | | if the muscle gets chronically tight or in spasm |
| rib. This muscle can be strengthened through any | | | | Massage Therapy and Bodywork modalities often |
| of these actions, while hip hiking has the most | | | | become inevitable. Once some relaxation of the |
| direct effect. This muscle is sometimes even | | | | muscle has been achieved, stretches should be |
| referred to as the "hip hiker" for it predominant | | | | introduced and done regularly to maintain the |
| role in that regard. | | | | health and flexibility of the muscle. |