Stretches for Back Pain

Stretches for Back Pain
By Brennan Howe
Stretching is very important in relieving for several reasons: 1) it improves your flexibility, which in turn allows your back to move through its natural range of motion painlessly, 2) it sends necessary nutrients to the tissue along the spine that keep your muscles from getting stiff and weak, and 3) it helps to prevent further injury to the back.  Some of the yoga and pilates exercises involve stretching, and listed below are a few more stretches that will benefit the back.  There are a couple of things you should remember about stretching.  First, you should not feel pain when you stretch.  If you do, you have gone too far so ease up a little.  Stretch only as far as you comfortably can, hold it for about ten seconds, and then slowly release the stretch.  And second, don’t bounce.  Move smoothly and slowly.  If you jerk or bounce your body, you’re likely to injure it.

HAMSTRING STRETCH: It might seem strange to stretch your leg to relieve back pain, but actually, the upper leg is important to the support of your lower back.  Increase the flexibility of your upper leg and you’ll be helping your lower back.  Some hamstring stretches put a lot of strain on the lower back so try this one: Lie on your back and bring your right knee towards your chest.  Put a towel around your right foot, hold the two ends in each hand, and try to straighten the foot as far as you can.  Repeat with the left leg.  When you an easily accomplish this, try some harder hamstring stretches: 1) Sit in a chair and place legs straight out in front of you resting on another