Do you suffer from chronic low back pain? If so, it’s time to take control of your discomfort and eliminate the causes. As a physician, I have seen numerous patients dealing with muscle tightness, weakness and pain in their lower backs due to improper stretching techniques. In this blog post, I’m going to discuss some highly effective alternatives that can help alleviate your low back pain without causing any further harm or injury! Don’t think your current stretches are doing anything for you? Let’s explore other options today that will leave you feeling more flexible and move towards living an overall healthier lifestyle!
As a general rule, certain stretches may worsen a low back condition by causing a stretch reflex that initially numbs the pain but later aggravates it. Toe touches and pulling knees to the chest are examples of such stretches. Instead, effective alternatives like pelvic tilts, bird dogs, and cat-camel stretches help stretch and release tension in the lower back muscles without aggravating the pain.
As a practitioner with over 30 years of practice, and training as an ergonomist and author on sitting, I’m well-equipped to provide valuable insights. My contributions to this field have been well-received, with TV appearances, my Youtube channel, and a successful Kickstarter campaign for my ergonomic seat cushions. If you’re searching for answers, I’m confident that I can offer meaningful guidance.
Beware of these stretches!
Are you grappling with relentless back pain and rushing to try out lower back stretches to ease your agony? Hold on! Despite the common belief, many of these stretches provide temporary relief at best and may end up exacerbating the problem, contrary to what you’d expect.
Think about the usual stretches, like toe touches or pulling your knees to your chest. They initiate a neurological response known as a stretch reflex, which temporarily dulls pain sensitivity. As a result, you’ll likely enjoy a brief 15 to 20-minute window of comfort. This ephemeral relief might give you the impression of progress, but here’s the catch.
These stretches put your spine into flex positions, inadvertently provoking your discs. So after that momentary respite, the pain not only returns, but it also often comes back stronger than before. This situation engenders a perilous loop where you may mistake the harmful stretches as beneficial and consider them the ultimate solution to your pain.
It’s high time to disrupt this cycle. If these stretches were a panacea, you wouldn’t still be scouring the internet for answers, would you? So instead of pouring your efforts into spine-bending stretches, why not switch gears?
Exercises for Low Back Pain
Focus on maneuvers and stretches that target other body areas and could potentially support your journey towards a pain-free life rather than intensify your discomfort. So, if you’ve been chasing after relief through conventional stretches, it’s time to rethink and repurpose your efforts towards truly beneficial exercises.
- The Cat and Camel: This particular stretch significantly reduces spinal friction, preparing the body for movement. The key is to maintain the right position—on all fours with knees under the hips and hands over the shoulders—and to ensure a full spinal flexion and extension. However, caution is key—only 7-8 cycles are needed, with any more potentially negating the benefits.
- Psoas Stretch: The psoas, a major hip flexor muscle, is often shortened due to prolonged sitting and is further tightened by back pain. When tightened, it pulls the pelvis forward, increasing lower back compression and exacerbating pain. Traditional hip flexor stretches aren’t effective due to the psoas’ unique anatomy.This exercise targets the psoas specifically and can help provide relief from lower back tension.
- Hip Airplanes: This drill helps mobilize and strengthen crucial hip muscles, often weak in those experiencing back pain. Stiff and weak hips transfer more motion to the spine during movement or exercise, worsening back pain. Hip airplanes enhance hip mobility while strengthening these vital muscles, leading to improved range of motion and less reliance on the spine.
- Axial Designs’ Posture Cushion: Most of us spend significant time seated, creating stress on our spinal discs. This ergonomic seat cushion is designed with the intention to engage your core muscles and counteract this stress from prolonged sitting.
Creating a Posture-Supporting Ergonomic Chair: Advice and Considerations
To efficiently address your seating preferences, it’s essential to focus on multiple elements, with chair modification being a crucial factor. Several methods can be employed for this, including adding an ergonomic cushion and lumbar backing. These additional features can diminish tension on your back and legs, enhancing comfort and posture during prolonged periods of sitting. Furthermore, make sure your feet are flat on the floor, and there’s sufficient clearance between your chair and workspace. By implementing these tips, any standard firm chair can be upgraded into an ergonomic retreat that encourages lasting health and happiness.
Ergonomic Alignment Cushion
A functional ergonomic seat wedge (above) can be utilized to align your spine correctly and foster equilibrium. This high-quality natural latex seating cushion helps to strengthen core muscles while easing pressure in other areas, such as the neck and shoulders. Additionally, maintaining an upright position is less strenuous on your hips and knees, as it activates more muscle groups together compared to reclining against something plush. This vertical posture averts the formation of stress-inducing habits that individuals may unintentionally develop while engaged in work.
If you’re dealing with back pain, try incorporating these moves into your daily routine, ideally multiple times a day, especially if you spend much of your time seated. If these help alleviate your pain and discomfort, you’re likely on the right track, and it’s an indication to keep doing them.
Best Seat Cushion for Low Back SupportAxial Ergonomic Seat Cushion® | Seat Chair Wedge
Quick Guide: A 30-Second Summary
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The Top 3 Worst Stretches to Avoid for Lower Back Pain
Many people turn to stretching as a way to alleviate lower back pain, but not all stretches are created equal. Some stretches can actually worsen your pain or cause further damage to your lower back. The worst stretches for lower back pain include toe touches, sit-ups, and standing forward bends. These stretches place undue stress on your lower back, which exacerbates pain and discomfort. Instead of performing these stretches, opt for gentler stretches that help to relieve tightness and tension in the muscles surrounding your lower back. Examples include cat-cow stretches, hamstring stretches, and spinal twists.
Reducing Lower Back Pain: Exercise and Stretching Tips Reviewed by WebMD
If you suffer from chronic lower back pain, exercise and stretching can be helpful tools in reducing your discomfort. According to WebMD, some of the best exercises for lower back pain include bridges, bird dogs, and planks. These exercises work to strengthen your core muscles and improve your posture, which in turn reduces lower back pain. When it comes to stretching, gentle stretches that target the muscles surrounding your lower back can be beneficial. WebMD recommends stretches like knee-to-chest stretches, piriformis stretches, and seated forward bends.
The Connection Between Diet and Lower Back Pain: How Your Spine is Affected
Your diet can have a significant impact on the health of your spine, and in turn, your lower back pain. Consuming a diet that is high in inflammatory foods (such as processed foods, sugar, and alcohol) can lead to inflammation throughout your body, including your spine. This inflammation can contribute to lower back pain. To reduce inflammation and support the health of your spine, opt for a diet that is rich in anti-inflammatory foods like fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean protein. Additionally, staying hydrated and getting enough calcium and vitamin D can also support spine health.
Morning Stretches for Lower Back Pain
If you’re experiencing lower back pain, starting off your day with some gentle stretches may be the perfect solution. It’s no secret that stretching can greatly benefit your physical health and overall well-being, and incorporating some targeted stretches aimed at relieving lower back pain can make a real difference.
Some examples of morning stretches that can help reduce back pain include the knee-to-chest stretch, the cat-cow stretch, and the child’s pose. Incorporating these stretches into a morning routine can help improve flexibility and mobility, while reducing the risk of further injury or pain.
I’ve written a complete hands-on review about the best sitting position for sciatica, and here is what I tested best with my sciatica patients.
Lower Back Pain Stretching Makes It Worse
While stretching can be an effective way to reduce lower back pain, it’s important to approach it carefully and with the right technique. In some cases, stretching can actually make the pain worse if it’s not done correctly or if the underlying cause of the pain is not properly addressed.
If you find that stretching exacerbates your lower back pain, it may be best to consult with a medical professional to determine the root cause of the pain and develop a more targeted treatment plan. It’s also important to avoid overstretching, as this can lead to further injury or discomfort.
Stretches for Lower Back and Hip Pain
In addition to stretching targeted specifically at the lower back, incorporating stretches that target the hips can also be beneficial in reducing lower back pain. This is because the hips and lower back are closely connected, and tightness or discomfort in one area can often lead to pain in the other.
Some examples of stretches aimed at reducing lower back and hip pain include the figure-four stretch, the seated spinal twist, and the pigeon pose. These stretches can improve flexibility and mobility in both the lower back and hip areas and can help to relieve pain and discomfort.
Overall, incorporating targeted stretches and exercises into your daily routine can greatly benefit your lower back health and help to reduce pain. However, it’s important to approach stretching with caution and seek medical advice if pain persists or worsens. Additionally, modifications to stretches can be made for blind users, and Pinterest has modifications as well.
Summary
Now that you are informed of why the worst stretches for low back pain are not ideal and have access to some safer and more effective alternatives, you can make a proactive decision in the way you go about caring for your low back pain. Whether it means trying a few of these newly replaced stretches or exploring other treatment options such as chiropractic care, massage therapy, or physical therapy; it is important to know that stubborn, chronic low back pain is both treatable and manageable with the right strategies.
The most important takeaway here: Consult with a doctor who specializes in treating lower back pain before beginning any self-treatment routine. They will provide the best advice on helping manage your current condition and offer facts about stretching safely so you don’t aggravate pre-existing injuries. Start taking control of your health today by becoming an educated patient and being aware of the truths revealed in this post!
