As chiropractors, we often get asked about the best lower back and hamstring stretches. Patients are surprised when we tell them to stop doing some of the most common stretches you see online.
While many stretches are effective, we emphasize standing stretches in the routines we create, rather than those done lying down or sitting. This approach often delivers better results in less time.
Start with The Lengthener – the BEST lower back stretch for easing tension and relieving pain.
This post includes:
- The Lengthener - Start Here
- A 2 Minute Daily Follow Along
- 6 Ways Standing Stretches are Better
- Lower Back Stretching Routines
How To Do The Lengthener
2-Minute Daily Lengthener
6 Reasons Standing Stretches Are Better:
1. Engage more muscles – making your spine more stable.
When you stretch while standing, you engage not just your lower back muscles, but also your leg muscles, core and more. You’ll be using the larger muscles as well as the smaller muscles that stabilize your spine making your adjustments last longer!
2, Strengthen your core and fix your posture
By strengthening your core, you are improving your posture and helping to prevent future episodes of low back pain, sciatica, and disc issues.
3. More functional
When you stand up, you are in a position that mimics real-life. You’re not only improving your flexibility but also training your body to move in a more natural and efficient way.
4, Improved balance
As you perform standing stretches you can choose to use less balance support over time, working the small muscles around the spine that can grow weak as we age.
5, Safer
When you stretch while standing, you have more control over the intensity and range of motion of the stretch, making it safer overall. It’s much easier to focus on alignment in this position.
6. More convenient, so you’ll do them more!
Standing stretches can be done anywhere, anytime, and require no special equipment. This means you are more likely to stick to a stretching routine!
By improving spinal mobility, improving balance, strengthening your core muscles, and being easy to modify, standing stretches are a valuable addition to any treatment plan.
Chat with Dr. Shulman or Dr. Neely about which ones are best for you.
