How I treat the Lower Back

I begin each treatment with you lying comfortably face down, supported with a bolster beneath your ankles. This helps relax and support the Quadratus Lumborum (QL) - one of the deepest muscles in the lower back and a common source of persistent lower back pain.

I then carefully feel for areas of tightness and stiffness within the QL, and form a U shape with each hand, resting my fingers over the spinal muscles for support. Starting with gentle pressure, I slowly guide my thumbs approximately 4–8 cm beneath the spinal muscle group to accurately reach the belly of the QL, where the underlying restriction is often found.

Using precise deep trigger point therapy, I hold each trigger point for around 10–20 seconds, allowing tight muscle fibres to gradually release. This helps reduce and release pressure on the surrounding nerves and can provide significant relief from chronic lower back pain.

As the QL can be particularly sensitive to treat, I maintain clear communication throughout the session and will often count down the final five seconds of each trigger point hold, so you always know when the pressure is about to be released.

Unlike elbow techniques, which often work over the larger spinal muscles, I use my thumbs to accurately access the belly of the QL beneath them. This allows me to target the source of the tension more precisely and deliver a more effective release.