Origin and placement
The iliac crest and the iliolumbar ligament give rise to the quadratus lumborum. It attaches to the inferior boundary of the 12th rib and the transverse processes of the 1st to 4th lumbar vertebrae, running craniomedially. The muscle appears rectangular when all of the fibres are combined.
Innervation is a term that refers to the process
The subcostal nerve (T12) and the anterior rami of spinal nerves L1-L4 innervate the quadratus lumborum.
Availability of blood
The branches of the lumbar, subcostal, median sacral, and iliolumbar arteries supply blood to the quadratus lumborum.
Purpose
The quadratus lumborum, in essence, aids in the stability and rotation of the spine and pelvis. A bilateral contraction causes the lumbar vertebral column to extend. When only one side of the muscle is stimulated, the trunk bends in that direction (lateral flexion).
Furthermore, the muscle stabilises the 12th rib during thoracic cage movements, assisting expiration (accessory muscle of expiration).
Our blogs, video guides, quizzes, and numbered diagrams will teach you everything you need to know about the deep tissue massage muscles of the abdominal wall.

Deep tissue Massage Therapy - Quadratus Lumborum Release
The QL muscle is located just to the side of the long spinal erectors and is very deep. Because of the many attachments on the ribs, pelvis, and spine, it’s critical to deep tissue massage glides in upward and downward strokes, as well as compress the attachment points directly, to thoroughly cover the muscle.