Glad you got it fixed. It might not be as easy without being able to release the tension, but at least it wasn't stuck in the "open" position.
My HQ does not have anything like that, the tension is always engaged. I think that might be more common than having a release lever. My Bailey was a stretched domestic and there were several times I'd forget to lower the lever (foot). Not that it affected the foot, but you couldn't sew much with the tension not engaged!