Maybe it’s your hammies?

 

“My pain is in my back Doc, not the back of my legs!”

Chances are, if you have tight hamstrings, you most likely have a few back issues.  It may not be your back causing you problems after all.  It may be tight hamstrings. The hamstrings are located on the back of each thigh.  When your hamstrings are tight, it places stress on the pelvis by limiting pelvic motion.  This in turn can alter your posture causing stress across your low back making you think it’s just a back issue.

We’ve selected a couple of safe and effective hamstring stretches that will help increase hamstring flexibility.  For a more detailed description, please come in and see us.  We’d be happy to help.

If you are able to get to the floor easily, this is a great stretch.   

• Lie down on your back.
• Bend both knees while placing your feet on the floor.
• Grabbing behind one knee, bring your knee into the chest. Slowly extend your leg towards the ceiling until you feel a comfortable stretching sensation behind your leg in the hamstring.
• Circle your ankle to loosen the calf muscles.
• When you are ready, slowly straighten the other leg along the floor. 
• Hold 10 sec and release.  Switch sides.

 

Standing hamstring

• you can use a table or chair to brace yourself with if needed.
• Extend one leg in front of you.
• Keeping your back flat, lean forward and bend the leg you’re standing on.
• Place your hands either on a table, chair or your bent leg for support.
• Hold 10 sec, repeat on the other leg.

Come in and see us for more tips.

A good laugh and a long sleep are the best cures in the doctor's book. 

     --Irish Proverb