Tight Hamstrings lead to back pain

Every week in the gym I'm working with someone with back pain from having tight hamstrings. Every person I have train with tight hamstrings had back problems. I realized this years ago and know I have been very successful helping clients overcome years of back pain. 

Whenever the hamstrings are tight it, restricts full mobility of the hips. This creates more movement in the lower back region and lower back shouldn't be moving. Having tight hamstrings over a long period of time will cause the low back muscles to fatigue and develop scare tissue in the lumbar region of the spine. This will lead to back pain and lower back stiffness, siatica pain, and slip disc issues. Todays medical industry treat back pain as a problem directly associated with the muscles of the lower back. Which lead to them treating the lower back area with specific treatments and medication. However, this would give you relief but only temporary. You will still have continued flare ups of back pain over time. This is because they did not solve the problem which is causing the low back pain. We have focused on the hamstrings as a big contributor to back pain. By improving the flexibility of the hamstrings you can return the hamstring back to their optimal length and increase the chance of the pain going away and not coming back.  

The best way to do this stretch is to use an active stretch technique. An active stretch is where you use the opposing muscle to stretch the opposite muscle. When a prime mover muscle is contracting the other muscle will automatically stretch. Start the hamstring stretch laying down on the floor with both legs straight. Place the strap around one foot while you holding the ends of the stretching strap with your hands. The correct way to execute the stretch is to lift one leg with only the muscles of the leg then at the highest point in the lift pull the strap with your hands for 2 seconds then stop pulling the strap and return foot to floor. Repeat this technique 15 - 20 times then do the other side. If you have a foam roller you could get more from this stretch if you foam roll your hamstrings before doing the active hamstring stretch. If you need other ideas on back pain please email me at [email protected].