Quadratus Lumborum Syndrome: An Overlooked Cause of Back and Hip Pain

If you’ve ever had nagging lower back pain that just won’t quit—especially if it seems to spread into your hips, buttocks, or even your abdomen—you might have experienced something called Quadratus Lumborum Syndrome. While it sounds like a complicated medical term, it simply refers to pain and dysfunction in a small but mighty muscle deep in your lower back: the quadratus lumborum (or QL for short).

What is Quadratus Lumborum Syndrome?

When trigger points in the quadratus lumborum muscle are activated it results in lower back pain, stiffness or tightness, and other restrictive symptoms. Many times the diagnosis of lower back pain is non-specific, meaning there is an unknown pathology causing the condition. QL syndrome can manifest as muscle pain deep in the back that restricts bending forward, turning the torso, or leaning due to active trigger points of the QL muscle.

What is the Quadratus Lumborum?

The quadratus lumborum is a thick, square-shaped muscle that sits deep inside your lower back on both sides of your spine. It connects your pelvis to your lower ribs and helps with important everyday movements like:

• Keeping you upright when standing or sitting

• Bending sideways

• Stabilizing your spine when you walk or lift things

Because the QL muscle works constantly—often without you realizing—it’s prone to overuse and strain.

Causes of Quadratus Lumborum Syndrome

Quadratus Lumborum Syndrome happens when this muscle becomes tight, strained, or develops “trigger points” (sensitive knots that cause referred pain). Common triggers include:

• Poor posture – especially prolonged slouching or leaning to one side

• Sitting for long hours without breaks

• Uneven leg length or pelvic tilt

• Lifting heavy objects with poor form

• Overtraining certain exercises without proper stretching or recovery

• Sudden awkward movements such as twisting while carrying groceries

Symptoms of Quadratus Lumborum Syndrome

QL syndrome can be sneaky because the pain isn’t always where the muscle sits. People often report:

• A dull, aching pain in the lower back on one side

• Pain that radiates to the hip, buttock, or groin

• Discomfort when sitting, standing, or walking for long periods

• Stiffness when bending or twisting

• Tenderness when pressing on the side of your lower back

Sometimes it can even mimic kidney pain, which is why proper diagnosis is important.

Diagnosis

A healthcare professional—often a physiotherapist or sports medicine doctor—will typically assess your posture, movement, and muscle tension. They may press on the QL muscle to see if it reproduces your symptoms. Imaging (like an MRI) is usually only used to rule out other conditions.

You can learn more about how to discuss your pain and preparing for a visit with your healthcare provider in these blog articles.

How to Talk to Your Doctor About Your Pain

Tips for Communicating With Your Doctor at Your Next Appointment

Treatment Options:

It is important to always follow the prescribed treatment plan prescribed by your healthcare provider. Your healthcare provider will provide recommendations for treatment duration and frequency.

The good news? Most cases improve with non-surgical care. Common treatments include:

• Physical therapy to stretch and strengthen supporting muscles

• Massage therapy to release tightness and trigger points

• Heat therapy to relax the muscle

• Posture correction for daily activities and work setups

• Gentle stretching like side bends or child’s pose

• Strengthening core muscles to reduce strain on the QL

• Lumbar brace to support the spine and muscles

In some cases, dry needling, acupuncture, or trigger point injections may be recommended.

We offer a wide selection of lumbar braces to treat your condition. You can view our selection of lumbar braces by clicking here.

Prevention

Once the pain is gone, keeping it that way is key:

• Take frequent breaks from sitting

• Maintain good posture at work and home

• Stretch your sides and hips regularly

• Strengthen your core and glutes

• Lift with your legs, not your back

When to Seek Medical Help

If painful or debilitating symptoms persist or worsen despite self-care measures, it’s important to consult a healthcare provider. They can offer personalized advice or recommend further evaluation if necessary. Quadratus Lumborum Syndrome can lead to the more painful conditions. Early diagnosis and treatment can prevent complications and improve quality of life. 

Conclusion

Quadratus Lumborum Syndrome is common but often overlooked. QL syndrome can be painful and disruptive, but it’s treatable and often preventable. Understanding how this deep back muscle works, and how to care for it, can make a world of difference in preventing lingering pain. If you suspect your QL muscle might be the culprit, don’t just tough it out; a targeted treatment plan can get you back to moving comfortably again.

If you're experiencing chronic back pain, hip or leg symptoms, don’t brush it off. A simple exam might uncover something that, with the right attention, can greatly improve your quality of life.

We're Here To Help

The team of experts at Elite Medical Supply of NY is here to help identify the right lumbar brace, mobility product, or therapy product for your recovery. We also offer a wide selection of braces from world-class manufacturers to alleviate pain and help heal your condition. Take a look at our selection of braces by clicking here.

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