A Guide To Lower Back Stretches For Pain Relief
- Reach Stretch & Recovery
- Nov 24, 2022
- 4 min read
Back pain is one of the most common and bothersome medical conditions in the U.S. and Western Europe, affecting nearly three million people each year, according to the World Health Organization. However, there are things you can do to reduce your risk of developing back pain or alleviate it when it happens, such as lower back stretches. Read on to learn more about how to stretch properly and give yourself an effective treatment!
Why you should stretch
Stretching is one of the most commonly recommended exercises for people with lower back pain. Research has shown that stretching can help to reduce lower back pain and improve function. Here are four reasons why you should stretch:
1. Stretching can help to improve your flexibility. Flexibility is key for reducing lower back pain, as it allows you to move more easily and avoid tension in your muscles.
2. Stretching can reduce stress and inflammation in your lower back. Stress and inflammation are two factors that can lead to lower back pain. By stretching regularly, you can reduce the amount of stress and inflammation in your spine, which will help to decrease your risk of developing lower back pain in the future.
3. Stretching can increase blood flow to your lower back region. Increased blood flow is important for providing nutrients and oxygen to your tissues, which may promote healing processes if you have lower back pain.
4. Stretching can improve your overall posture. Improving your posture can help to prevent further spinal injuries and improve your overall health overall.
How to do the stretches
The following stretches are recommended for people who suffer from lower back pain. Perform each stretch for 30 seconds, three times per day.
1. Hamstring Stretch: Lie on your back with both legs bent and feet flat on the floor. Place hands behind your head and pull your shoulder blades down towards your spine. Hold for 30 seconds.
2. Calf Stretch: Standing up with feet hip-width apart, lean forward at the waist until you feel a stretch in your calf muscles and Achilles tendon, then slowly return to standing position. Hold for 30 seconds.
3. Low Back Extension: Lie face down on a mat with palms flat on the surface and legs bent at 90 degrees. Brace your abs as you lift both hips and upper torso off the ground, extending your arms until they’re straight above your head. Hold for 30 seconds, then slowly lower yourself back to the start position.
Common stretches for back pain relief
There are a few stretches that can be performed to relieve back pain. The following three stretches should be done every day, morning and evening:
1. Hamstring stretch: Start by sitting with the feet flat on the ground, hip-width apart. Reach behind you with your left hand and grab your left ankle, thenpull it towards your buttock. Hold for 10 seconds, thenrelease and repeat on the other leg.
2. Calf stretch: From standing, place both feet in front of you so that the heels are touching or slightly in front of your buttocks. Bend your knees until you feel a gentle stretch in your calves and hold for 10 seconds.
3. Lower back stretch: Sit on the ground with legs bent so that feet are flat on the floor and shoulder-width apart. Lean back slightly and place hands behind your head, then lift torso up until chest is off floor (or as close to floor as possible). Hold for 30 seconds before slowly lowering back down to starting position
Lower Back Stretches for Specific Conditions
The lower back is a complex area of the body that can be prone to pain. There are many stretches that can help relieve lower back pain, and these stretches can be tailored to the individual’s specific condition.
One of the best lower back stretches for general relief is the seated calf stretch. To do this stretch, sit with your feet flat on the floor and your knees bent towards your chest. Extend your hips so that you are leaning forward, and clasp your hands behind your neck. Hold this position for 30 seconds to 1 minute before slowly extending your legs backwards until you are in a standing position.
Another good lower back stretch is the lying leg abduction (LLE) stretch. To do this stretch, lie down on your side with one leg straightened out and the other bent at 90 degrees. Place your hand on top of the bent leg to support it as you pull it towards your chest. Hold this position for 30 seconds to 1 minute before slowly bringing the straightened leg up towards your chest.
The side-lying hip extension (SLHE) is another excellent lower back stretch that can be done while lying down or sitting upright. To do this stretch, lie down on one side with one arm extended overhead and the other perpendicular to the ground . Bend both legs so that they are parallel to each other, then press into both heels to raise yourself up off of the ground .
Conclusion
After reading this guide on lower back stretches for pain relief, you will have a better understanding of the different types of stretches and how to perform them properly. Proper stretching can help relieve tension in the lower back and provide relief from pain, which is why it is important to be aware of the various stretch techniques and apply them to your own individual needs. After reading this guide, you should be able to stretch your lower back without any discomfort or pain.
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