Are you legs causing your lower back pain?

Some people experience tight hamstrings after long periods of sitting or inactivity. For example, sitting at a desk for several hours might lead to tightness.  This is due to when you sit, your knees are bent and your hamstrings are flexed and shortened.   This shortnened tight hamstrings are a major contributor to lower back pain.

If you suffer from lower back pain, I recommend you stretch your hamstrings daily unless you have a herniated lumbar disc, spondyloisthesis or other spedific condition which makes stretching your hamstrings difficult to do.

• Standing Hamstring Stretch. While standing, bend forward at the waist with arms hanging down toward the ground and with legs straight, without locking the knees. Try to touch the toes but do not strain to do so. Stop bending forward when a slight pulling sensation is felt in the hamstring.
• Chair Hamstring Stretch. Sitting on a chair, place one leg straight out on another chair in front of the body. Reach toward the toes and stretch one leg at a time.

Deep tissue massage and Sports massage have both been linked with increased flexibility of the hamstring