If you have ever wondered how can stiff and tight muscles can result in back pain, you've come to the right place. Stiff and tight muscles can often be mistaken for spinal problems when in reality the solution could be much more simple than expected. In this article I will be sharing a likely origin of your stiff and tight lower back muscle pain and how to effectively get rid of it for good.
How Can Stiff And Tight Muscles Result In Back Pain?
Asking how can stiff and tight muscles can result in back pain most likely comes from a place of discomfort or even unbearable pain. Back pain comes in many different feelings from a handful of different injuries. One of the most common muscles in understanding how can stiff and tight muscles result in back pain can relate back to the Quadratus Lumborum muscle.
The Quadratus Lumborum (QL) muscle is a large, deep, four-sided lower back muscle that frequently experiences trigger points (muscle knots) and lower back pain - see image.
The Quadratus Lumborum muscle serves two primary functions: firstly, it allows for lateral flexion of the spine and elevation of the hip, and secondly, it plays a crucial role in stabilizing the spine.
Quadratus lumborum pain can be caused by injury to the muscle tissue. Tissue injury through strain or sprain is typically most common in the lower back and can range from mild to severe pain. Muscle tissue pain can cause feelings of stiffness, aching, and tenderness. While the injury originates in the low back, it can spread to the buttocks and hip region.
Developing QL Pain:
Developing QL pain is typically a gradual strain on the muscle that builds up over time. Over time the QL muscle becomes sore and tight which leads to placing more stress and relied stability on the lumbar spine. Think of the QL muscle as a layer of protection to the spine. Without the QL muscle keeping the spine stable and protected, the spine is left vulnerable to increased movement it typically isn't used to.
Tight QL muscles lead to trigger points (muscle knots) and increased pain and tightness. See the image for a visual of where QL tightness can develop trigger points in the low back and hips region. Learn below how to exterminate trigger points through deep tissue massage.
QL Pain Relief:
A great option for releasing built up stress and tightness in the quadratus lumborum muscle is trigger point release therapy. The easiest approach to loosen up tight muscle tissue is to use a massage instrument like the QL Claw. This device is intended to relieve stress in the quadratus lumbrorum through lengthening the tight muscle fibers that are causing you pain. Check out our Testimonial page and hear from satisfied athletes, therapists, and trainers on how the QL Claw has helped them.
A lot of lower back pain is caused by injury to the muscle tissue. Injuries to tissues caused by strain or sprain are frequently observed in the lower back and can result in a range of pain intensity from mild to severe. Such injuries can cause muscle tissue to ache, feel stiff, and become tender. Although the injury usually begins in the low back, the pain can extend to the buttocks and hip region. - How can stiff and tight muscles result in back pain? - QL Muscle release - Check out how to release the QL in the link below.
QL Low Back Bulletproofing - Stretching And Strengthening:
For more help on how can stiff and tight muscles result in back pain, staying mobile through flexibility exercises will potentially help relieve any built up pain and tightness. Learning proper stretching techniques before you strengthen your muscles will have your low back thanking you. I was in and out of doctors, therapists, and chiropractors' offices, and this program below is what ended up relieving my muscle pain for the better.
Flexible Back 2.0 - Lower Back Flexibility Program
And If you want to build a bulletproof low back with some of the most elite lower back strengthening exercises, check out my Back of Steel program below. Building a strong lower back will help in so many areas of your life. Take it from me, I wasn't myself until I fixed this problem for good and this program is what helped me.
Back of Steel - Lower Back Strengthening Program
Thanks for reading how can stiff and tight muscles result in back pain!
[1] Donnelly, Joseph M. Travell, Simons & Simons Myofascial Pain and Dysfunction: the Trigger Point Manual. 3rd ed., Wolters Kluwer Health, 2019.
[2] Davies, Clair, and Amber Davies. The Trigger Point Therapy Workbook: Your Self-Treatment Guide for Pain Relief. 3rd ed., New Harbinger Publications, Inc., 2013.