Stretching. It’s commonly associated with exercising, but did you know completing a few quick stretches every night could be the key to lessening your chance for injury? To help you get started, we’ve compiled four of our favorite back stretches - straight from some of our
Wyoming physical therapy “playbooks.â€Â
Kneeling Lunge StretchÂ
This one is not as hard as it might sound, and it’ll have you feeling amazing in no time. Get in a lunch position, with one knee bent at 90 degrees and the other resting on the ground. You’ll then need to lean forward into your lunge. Make sure you keep your back straight, with a good posture. You’ll most likely feel this in your hip flexor as well, but posture is essential for this one. Hold for 30 seconds and switch sides.
Back Flexion Stretch
Start laying on a flat surface, on your back. You will then bring your knees up to your chest, and pull them closely with your arms. While you are doing that, roll your chin up to your chest and hold for 30 seconds. Repeat as needed.Â
Seated Toe-TouchÂ
Sit on the ground, with your legs straight out in front of you. Take a deep breath, and while breathing out reach forward with both arms and work to touch your toes. To feel this stretch in your back, you’ll need to keep your head down during the whole stretch. Hold for 30 seconds, repeat as needed.
Cat Pose
Yes, this is one of the more popular yoga poses but we assure you it’ll have your back feeling relaxed in no time. Get on the ground, on all fours as if you are a cat. Your knees should be on the ground, and your arms should be directly under your shoulders. Take a deep breath, and arch your back outward so that it forms a nice curve. Hold for 10 seconds, and slowly return to the starting point.
This is not all of the stretches in our playbook, but it certainly gives you an idea of how we like to prevent injuries. If you are experiencing body aches and pains, also be sure to reach out to your primary care physician or our team. At North Platte Physical Therapy, we are here to help meet your needs. We serve the communities of Wyoming and Nebraska with 22 clinics offering a full range of physical therapy services. Contact us today for more information.
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