Just saw the difference 6 weeks of stretching made on my back pain

I've been dealing with a tight lower back for years from all the kneeling and bending I do at work. My physical therapist had me do 3 simple hamstring and hip flexor stretches every morning for just 8 minutes total. Yesterday I bent down to grab a roll of 12 gauge wire off the bottom shelf and realized I didn't have to brace myself or grunt getting back up. Has anyone else had a specific stretch totally change how they feel during the day?

3 comments

3 Comments

henry6041mo ago

Stretching just masks the problem and doesn't fix why your back hurts in the first place.

julia_carter701mo ago

Well I've been stretching every morning like it's my job and somehow my back still reminds me I'm not 25 anymore. Maybe I'm just stretching wrong or maybe my back just wants to complain no matter what I do. I figure even if it's just masking things it gives me a few hours of not feeling like a rusty gate. The real fix probably involves better posture and not slouching on the couch watching tv but that's harder than it sounds. For now I'll take the temporary relief and let the real problems wait until tomorrow.

masonbell15h ago

Oh man, I gotta push back a little on that "stretching just masks the problem" idea! I mean, yeah, if you're doing it wrong or ignoring other stuff like posture and strength, it won't fix everything. But stretching actually lengthens tight muscles and improves how your joints move, which is a real fix for some issues, not just a band-aid. Your physical therapist probably had you doing those specific hamstring and hip flexor stretches for a reason, because tightness in those spots can literally pull on your lower back and make it ache. I think a lot of us just need to find the right stretches for our own bodies instead of writing off all stretching as useless.