Richmond Back Pain Benefits from Hamstring Stretching and Flexibility

Hips and knees and hamstrings and spines are all linked. When one has an issue the others must compensate for this. For Richmond back pain patients who want relief of their back pain, it’s extra important to be sure to strengthen everything. Starting with the hamstrings is appropriate as their strength and flexibility is linked to all the rest.

BENEFITS OF HAMSTRING FLEXIBILITY

Bending over to pick up something off the ground is no easy task. Chiropractors warn about the bending, lifting and twisting motions! Bending involves hamstring, knee, hip, and spine assistance. They each must be independently in great shape. They need to work together efficiently. New research stated how hamstring stretching exercises significantly compounded the range of motion of active knee extension. Further, hip flexion was significantly enhanced by hamstring stretching while lumbar flexion and lumbar spine/hip flexion ratio decreased during repetitive stoop lifting or daily activities. (1) Having flexible hamstrings and hip flexors safeguard the spine while flexing which is helpful to Richmond back pain sufferers.

HOW BEST TO STRETCH HAMSTRINGS

What is the best way to stretch hamstrings and hip flexors? In healthy young adults, static stretching was shown in one study to be successful in increasing hamstring flexibility. (2) Static and proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) stretching are both effective at increasing hip flexion range of motion. (3) To Johnson Chiropractic, doing it in the proper way is key.  Stretching is always key.  Further, the goals of hamstring stretching are to lengthen the hamstring muscle as well as its lumbar flexion range of motion. Seated and standing hamstring stretching with knee extension are similarly effective to attain this goal. (4) Hip flexibility after exercise interventions with stretching and/or core endurance both produced increased hip range of motion and lumbar rotation range of motion during hip extension. (5) Notice how everything is linked? Johnson Chiropractic does!

CONTACT Johnson Chiropractic

Listen to this PODCAST with Dr. Jasmine Hornberger on The Back Doctors Podcast with Dr. Michael Johnson as she presents a patient with spinal stenosis that instigates not only spine pain but hip pain and groin pain,too. She utilized The Cox® Technic System of Spinal Pain Management protocols to help this back pain patient find relief.

Schedule your next Richmond chiropractic visit with Johnson Chiropractic.  We will help you discover a path to flexible, lengthened hamstrings that supports the knee, hip, and spine so you can pick up anything off the floor that you need.