Have you ever driven with your car’s parking brake on? You probably didn’t drive very far before you realized that the car wasn’t driving or moving well.  This is the same thing that happens in the human body when we have tight hamstrings.  Tight hamstrings limit our mobility to do simple movements like bending over, squatting and walking.  It causes resistance to these simple movements just like a parking brake.  If you can’t lay on the floor with your legs straight and lift one leg up to 90 degrees, then you have tight hamstrings.  Tight hamstrings are very common especially if we sit a lot.  Sitting shortens the hamstrings since our knees are usually bent as we sit. Chiropractor Nathan Hands of Optimal Wellness in Wichita explains here.

Cause of back pain….

Can tight hamstrings cause lower back pain? Absolutely.  Tight hamstrings will pull you pelvis posteriorly (backwards) causing your lower spine to flatten out.   Without a lumbar lordosis (lumbar curve), we lose flexibility in our spine.  This will cause excessive compression on the discs in our lower back leading to degenerative disc disease, disc bulges, pinched nerves and chronic lower back pain.

The good news…..

There is an easy cure for tight hamstrings.  You need to stretch or lengthen them.  Simply lay on your back with your legs straight and then lift one leg up towards your head.  You can use an exercise band or towel to assist.  Hold the stretch for 30-60 seconds and then repeat with the opposite leg.

In our Wichita office, we are able to address tight hamstrings and other muscles by recommending postural and mobility exercises.  The first step to recommending exercises is to do a functional fitness screening to identify tight or weak muscles that are critical to proper function.  If you haven’t had a functional fitness screening lately, then call Optimal Wellness at 316-425-1911 to find out how we can help.