Back Stretching Exercises - Back Stretches To Alleviate Back Pain

Strenuous day-to-day activities take a toll on people’s bodies, especially their backs. Back pain can hardly be ignored, as pain in the area eventually causes discomfort in other parts of the body. While back pain can be treated through medication or surgery, some people prefer to exercise to help ease their back pains.

 There are several back stretching exercises that provide comfort to tight back muscles. By regularly doing back stretching exercises, one is able to alleviate back pain, as well as prevent future pains from coming.

 One of the back stretching exercises is the piriformis stretch. The piriformis is a muscle in the lower limb, and keeping this muscle loose is especially important for athletes. To stretch the piriformis, one must first lie on his or her back. The legs are crossed like the person is sitting on a chair. The uncrossed leg is pulled towards the chest, and the stretch can be felt in the hips and buttocks.

 Another exercise to stretch the back is the hamstring stretch. This exercise is commonly done while lying on your back. While grasping one knee, one leg is extended upwards and into a 90-degree position from the floor. The knee is then straightened out, and the other leg is lifted on the next set.

 The cat stretch is also another exercise that loosens the back muscles. To do this, one must get down on the floor on his hands and knees. The back is then arched towards the ceiling; this move is similar to what cats do when they stretch their backs. The position is held for 15 seconds.

 Back stretching does wonders for a person with back pain, as it encourages more fluid movement in the affected areas.