Issue link: https://www.massageandbodyworkdigital.com/i/68178
VISIT THE DIGITAL EDITION AT MASSAGEANDBODYWORK.COM TO VIEW A VIDEO CLIP DEMONSTRATING THIS TECHNIQUE. Quadratus lumborum is one of several muscles that assists with breathing. During inhalation, it tethers the 12th rib inferiorly, allowing the rib cage to fully expand. Dysfunction in quadratus lumborum may result from labored breathing, weakness in gluteus medius, or imbalances in postural muscles, such as the erector spinae, abdominals, and psoas. Tightness in this muscle contributes to excessive lumbar lordosis and anterior pelvic tilt. PALPATING QUADRATUS LUMBORUM Positioning: client prone 1. Stand at the client's side facing the spine. 2. Locate the lumbar spinous processes with the fingertips of both your hands. 3. Slide your fingertips laterally to the opposite side, past the lamina groove and the erector spinae muscles. 4. Hook your fingers slightly, pulling the erectors back toward the spine, as you palpate deeply between the 12th rib and ilium to find the angled fibers of quadratus lumborum. 5. Instruct client to gently elevate the hip superiorly to assure proper location. massage therapist, certified athletic trainer, and certified strength and conditioning specialist. Her private practice focuses on injury treatment, biomechanical analysis, craniosacral therapy, and massage for clients with neurological issues. She is the author of Functional Anatomy: Kinesiology and Palpation for Manual Therapists (Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, 2009), scheduled for release in October. Contact her at functionalbook@hotmail.com. Christy Cael is a nationally certified Client Homework— Stretching POsITIOnIng: sEaTED OR STANDING 1. sit or stand straight with your head centered over your shoulders. 2. Reach one or both of your arms straight up, lengthening your body as you take a deep breath. 3. as you exhale, continue reaching upward and tip your body to one side. 4. Reach and tip until you feel a slight stretch on the side of your trunk. 5. Take several deep breaths, increasing the reaching and tipping on each exhale. Repeat as necessary. 98 massage & bodywork september/october 2009 CAEL: Functional Anatomy: A Guide of Musculoskeletal