Many people suffer from low back pain. What many people don’t realize is that pain can often be linked to a lack of flexibility in the hamstrings.
Let’s talk about some anatomy first. The hamstrings are located in the back of the thigh and connect the lower pelvis to the lower leg. They help in leg extension and bending of the knee. The upper part of the pelvis is then connected to the spine and many different muscles. The ones we will focus on right now are called the erector spinae. These muscles run alongside the spine and help with posture, core stabilization, and spinal movement. If the hamstrings become tight then they can begin to limit motion in the pelvis. Consequently, if the pelvis has limited movement this can cause the muscles of the low back to become tight, which can lead to low back pain. Many times people will present with this condition. This is why it is important to work on proper flexibility in your hamstrings. Increasing hamstring flexibility will help increase the motion of your pelvis, which will in turn take tension off of your low back helping to decrease your back pain.
The hamstrings may become tight for many reasons, some of which include injury and a lack of stretching post exercise. As Chiropractic Physicians we are trained in diagnosing where your low back pain is coming from. If the hamstrings are tight due to previous injuries such as a strain or pull, there can be a buildup of scar tissue and/or adhesions. The properly trained medical professional may use many different treatments to help fix this problem including instrument assisted soft tissue mobilization or IASTM, special stretching techniques, adjustments, and rehab exercises. If you have back pain, try working on your hamstring flexibility with stretching and foam rolling. These simple exercises can help relieve your pain. Always contact your health care provider for proper treatment and rehab protocols.
