This week's Mentoring Minutes, Dr Marshall LeMonie talks about Quadratus Lumborum and Psoas major exercises.

These muscles are often given a bad rap when it comes to low back pain, but the Quadratus and Psoas can play an important role in trunk and pelvic strength and stability. Just because they are stiff or tight, doesn’t always mean they are strong. Happy planking!

Source & Notes:

Evaluation of Psoas Major and Quadratus Lumborum Recruitment Using Diffusion-Weighted Imaging Before and After 5 Trunk Exercises

Journal of Orthopaedic & Sports Physical Therapy 2017 47:2, 108-114 

• Nine healthy male participants performed the right side bridge, knee raise, and 3 front bridges, including the hand-knee, elbow-knee, and elbow-toe bridges. Diffusion-weighted imaging was performed before and after each exercise.

• Of the 5 exercises investigated, the elbow-toe bridge and side bridge exercises elicit the greatest recruitment of the PM and QL.