If your hamstring muscles are too tight, they will pull your pelvis out of alignment and force your spine out of alignment. This causes lower back pain that can get quite severe. You can avoid this by regularly stretching your hamstrings, using one of the following methods. These are listed in increasing order of difficulty:
- The Towel Stretch: This is a good choice if you suffer from particularly tight muscles. Lie face up on a level surface with a towel wrapped behind your foot. Holding the towel, lift up your leg and straighten it as much as you can. Hold this position for as long as is comfortable, then switch sides.
- The Chair Stretch: Sit in a chair with your legs placed straight out in front on a second chair. Reach for the toes of one foot, holding for as long as you feel comfortable, then switch to your other foot.
- The Standing Stretch: This is the common toe-touching technique. Starting at a standing position, bend at your waist with your knees locked and arms hanging down. Reach for your toes until you achieve a stretch in your hamstrings. Hold the position for as long as you are comfortable.
For more help overcoming your back pain, visit Nu Star’s Edmonds chiropractic clinic.