The Best Low Back Stretch You May Not Be Doing

If you have a job where you are seated at a desk most of the day or you are in a vehicle most of the day you probably have low back pain. You may have even tried stretching your low back using traditional low back stretches with little or no relief. One of the best and most underused low back stretches is the iliopsoas stretch. This muscle is part of the larger group of muscles known as the hip flexor. Most people don’t realize that the iliopsoas muscle is one of the few muscles that originates along the vertebral bodies in your lower back (L1-L5) coming in contact with the discs, and this is why tight hip flexors are a common cause of not only hip but low back pain. In my practice, I tell my patients that if you only have time to do one low back stretch... stretch the iliopsoas.

Below are two variations of a stretch for the iliopsoas. The standing method is the easiest for most people. (Be sure and pick a comfortable height to begin and hold onto something for stability if needed.) All stretches should be held for 10-30 seconds and repeated several times throughout the day. Always stretch both sides. If any stretch causes sharp pain discontinue. This is only one of several stretches that you should be doing on a regular basis. If you are having hip or low back pain that isn’t relieved with conservative treatment call our Alexandria, KY. office at 859-635-6666 to see if chiropractic can help. Or visit our website at www.alexandriachirocenter.com