If you are alive and breathing and in at least your 3rd or 4th decade of life then chances are that you probably have experienced some form of back pain. Life’s demands are that of hard work either through your occupation, household chores or recreational activity. These demands are bound to put your lower back at risk for pain. I would say that 50 -75% of clients that enter into a consultation session have checked “Back pain” on their health history. So what can you do to solve this problem?
Research has shown that taking yoga or stretching classes has been shown to alleviate low back pain through strengthening and stretching exercises targeting the lower back and legs. The stretching protocol was one class weekly, followed by 3 days of stretching at home for a total of 4 days/week. The benefits of such a program were still significant 6 months later! These recommendations are for those people who suffer from moderate low back pain.
Incorporating a flexibility program into your exercise program is essential for maintaining function and being able to keep up with activities of daily living. When stretching you should follow these rules.
Rule #1: Stretch until you feel mild discomfort, never pain.
Rule #2: Hold the stretch, do not bounce.
Rule #3: Continue to breath throughout the stretch.
So begin now, and get to stretching.
