5 Simple Stretches for Lower Back At Home

Why Does My Lower Back Hurt?

By: Ehren Allen, DPT/Certified Manual Therapist

About 80% of adults suffer from lower back pains in their lifetime. Anyone with back and hip pain will be looking for a back pain remedy. The majority of lower back pains comes from moving or bending the wrong way. Sitting for long periods at a computer also increases the risk of lower back strain and pain. It is a common pain to be linked to Spondylosis. This is a general term that refers to degeneration in the spine. To learn about the anatomy of the back, please go to this outstanding ARTICLE.

There are many risk factors for lower back pain, including:

Age
Fitness level
Pregnancy
Weight gain
Genetics
Occupational risk factors.

The majority of lower back pain occurrences improve within 6 weeks. Treatment needs can vary, but many benefit from physical therapy for strengthening and stretching exercises.

To read more about a "catch" or locking sensation in your back, please read this informative ARTICLE.

Do Lower Back Stretches Help Back Pain?

The majority of workers today sit at a computer station for at least 8 hours per day. This prolonged sitting position can lead to stiffness and abnormal stresses on the lower back. Regular stretching activity before and after work can help keep the lower spine mobile and keep muscles flexible and healthy. Yoga is an option for stretching and maintaining mobility as well. Yoga poses can be modified or simplified for beginners.

When stretching, keep the following tips in mind:

Stretch slowly and avoid bouncing
Hold stretches for 20 to 30 seconds.
Repeat stretches 3 times.
Do not push through the pain (to avoid a pulled back muscle)

5 Lower Back Stretches to Eliminate Your Pain.

JOI Rehab has provided 5 basic stretches. These stretches are gentle and appropriate for beginners. Stretches for lower back pains should be held for 30 seconds and repeated 3X.

Knee to chest stretch - Lay on your back and pull both knees to your chest. This helps stretch out the lower back and buttock muscles.

Knee to chest stretch opens the facet joints and stretches the muscles in the low back. This woman is properly completing low back stretches. Knee to Chest Stretch

Piriformis stretch - Lay on your back with the knees bent and feet rested on the surface. Cross one leg over and grab the knee to pull it toward the opposite shoulder. This helps to lengthen a muscle in your buttock region that is sometimes a source of irritation to the sciatic nerve.

Stretching the Piriformis can help with sciatica in some people. The piriformis is a muscle in the buttocks area. This woman is properly completing low back stretches. Piriformis Stretch

Hamstring stretch - Lay on your back with both legs straight and resting on the surface. Then, lift one of the legs (still straight) and grab behind the thigh with both hands. Gently pull the leg with the hands or strap. This helps stretch the muscle in the back of your thigh that attaches to your pelvis and can add abnormal pull when tight.

90/90 Hamstring Stretch

Lower trunk rotation stretch - Lay on your back with knees bent and feet resting on the floor. Rotate the lower body, keeping the knees together and moving them to one side. Do this in both directions. This stretch helps to decrease stiffness in the lower back.

Lower trunk rotation helps to increase mobility of the facet joints in the lower back. This woman is properly completing low back stretches. Lower Trunk Rotation

Hip Flexor Stretch: Lay on the edge of a bed or table. Allow one leg to rest off the side of the surface while you pull the opposite knee toward your chest. This will help stretch the muscles in the front of the hip, which can become tight from sitting for long periods.

A Thomas stretch, or hip flexor stretch is a way to stretch the hip flexor muscles with less stress on the lower back. Bending the opposite knee up to the chest locks the low back in place. This woman is properly completing low back stretches. Hip Flexor Stretch

To learn more about lower back stretches, please read this ARTICLE.

Why is Stretching the Lower Back Important? Can Stretching Lower Back Muscles Help?

Stretches for lower back pains can help decrease the risk of low back pain and sciatica symptoms. It can also increase your ability to walk, bend, and perform the normal activities of life. If you have low back pain or these stretches do not help, Come see us at Jacksonville Orthopedic Institute. We have a team of experts physicians and physical therapists who are ready to help!

How Do You Fix Low Back Pain?

If you still have Low back pain, consider physical therapy. A physical therapist can help determine the cause of the pain and develop a long-term treatment plan. Watch this VIDEO on why Back Pain Can't Wait for treatment.

If you would like to learn about JOI Robotic Spine Surgery, please watch this VIDEO.

Book an Appointment with The Jacksonville Orthopaedic Institute Today!

JOI Physicians continue to offer online new patient appointments. This is another option to make it more convenient to make new patient appointments with less phone hold times. Follow the link below to select your JOI MD and schedule online.

You can still call 904-JOI-2000 to make new patient JOI Physician Appointments if that is your preference.

New: You can now make follow-up and cancel physician appointments through the JOI Patient Portal.

To make appointments with JOI Rehab, please call 904-858-7045.