Lower back pain is a common cause of disability, lost productivity, and decreased quality of life for people around the world. While some back pain is caused by serious injuries or conditions, a significant portion is not. This means that people might get relief at home by trying these stretches:
Lower Back Stretches
These stretches may be helpful, but it’s always advisable to work in conjunction with a chiropractor or other healthcare professional to ensure safety.
This stretch targets the thighs, glutes, and hips while also being relaxing overall.
To do this stretch, you will:
- Begin by lying on your back. Put your feet flat and keep your knees bent.
- Leave your left leg in that position or straighten it.
- Bring your right knee gently toward your chest, linking your hands and pulling the back of your leg.
- Avoid lifting your hips as you stretch downward.
- Hold this pose for one to three minutes, while breathing steadily.
- Switch sides and repeat.
The Piriformis stretch targets a muscle found in the buttocks. It releases tension and tightness in the back and buttocks. To do this stretch, you will:
- Begin by lying on your back. Put your feet flat and keep your knees bent.
- Place your right ankle near your left thigh.
- Put your hands behind your left thigh, pulling upward toward your chest.
- Hold for one to three minutes.
- Switch sides and repeat.
This stretch helps in improving core strength while also working large muscles like the glutes. To do this stretch, you will:
- Begin by lying on your back. Put your feet flat and keep your knees bent.
- Flex your abdominal muscles while you push your back toward the ground.
- Breathe steadily while holding the pose. Aim to hold the position for 10 seconds.
- Unclench your muscles and take some relaxing breaths.
- Depending on your comfort and fitness level, you can do one to three sets of three to five repetitions of this exercise.
Cat-cow is a gentle yoga pose that works the spine, neck, chest, and shoulders. To do this stretch, you will:
- Begin on all fours in what’s known as the tabletop position.
- Inhale while looking up and pressing steadily downward toward the ground. Allow air to fill your belly.
- Exhale while tucking your chin softly into your chest and arch your back toward the sky.
- Keep this rhythm going, moving the same way with each breath cycle.
- Repeat for one to two minutes.
This stretch is a good choice to target the spine, buttocks, and chest for a gentle workout. To do this stretch, you will:
- Begin on your stomach with your shoulders above your elbows. Hands should be extended outward, palms down.
- Slightly part your feet.
- Raise your head and torso while engaging the thighs, lower back, and buttocks.
- Continue engaging your abdominals and lower back while continuing to breathe steadily.
- Lower your hips and pelvis into the floor.
- Look ahead or close your eyes.
- Hold for one to three minutes.