Back Hurts While Stretching? Here is why... – EasyFlexibility
Menu

Back Hurts While Stretching? Here is why...

Posted by Paul Zaichik on

The cause of reoccurring spinal and lower back injuries during hip and shoulder compound stretching.

Strains and sprains, in the joints and the muscles, in and around the spine while stretching, is a rather common occurrence. Unfortunately, most of the time it’s not properly understood, and the cause of injury is usually not connected to the mechanism of an injury to a casual observer.

Compound stretching is a very common reason for these types of injuries. This can happen in any part of the spine and in any muscle group and muscle group along the spine but in this article the focus is on the lower back specifically.

Compound stretching is a very common reason for these types of injuries.

A compound stretch usually stretches multiple muscles from more than one joint. An example of this would be a sitting two-legged forward band hamstring stretch, a straddle pancake stretch, a lunge stretch, a lateral bending stretch in a sitting straddle, of course there are other examples as well.

In all examples mentioned, there is attempted stretch of various hip muscles. Hamstrings in the forward bend, hip flexors in a lunge stretch, adductors and hamstrings in pancake or lateral bend in a full straddle. Together with the spine, and in some cases depending on the arm position, together with the shoulder joint, or the shoulder girdle.

Hip Combo - Beginner Level

Six unique training routines at a special discount. This package contains everything you'll ever need. Students and instructors alike prefer the Complete Hip Combo, as an amazing asset in their dancing improvement arsenal.

For a majority of people, the spine is more mobile than the hip joint in any direction.

For the purpose or understanding this concept, let's assume that the compound stretch is isolated to the spine and the hip joints. For most people, not for each and every person, but for majority of people, the spine is more mobile than the hip joint in any direction. With some exceptions when there are fusions of the spine, specific injuries, specific surgeries, or very deep specialized training where the hip joints have been properly mobilized and the muscles have been properly lengthened, while the muscles of the core have developed incredible strength and awareness. And that, is very, very rare. Especially in regular people who participate in stretching type of activity.

Many people stop stretching because they have lower back pain.

Over the years I have spoken to many people about their flexibility training. And, I found it quite interesting that there were people who told me that they do not stretch anymore because they have lower back pain. That lower back pain which was brought on by stretching, was caused by an attempt to stretch another muscle group, but not the back, such as hamstrings, adductors, etc., But during a compound stretch the lower back was mobilized to the point of strained muscle or even herniated disc.

I remember taking yoga when I was in college and it was taught by a very knowledgeable professor. She has been trained in different types of yoga, Pilates, Dance techniques, Alexander technique and many others. And during one of the sessions, one of the students asked her what she can do about her pain. She said that when she does sitting forward bend to stretch the hamstrings she feels pain, in her lower back. I was very curious to see what my professor’s response would be. The professor told the student to focus on her hamstring muscles, breeze into hamstring muscles, and try to relax the hamstring muscles. And of course, that is one way to do it. This approach has worked for some people but not for everyone.

In the EasyFlexibility system we take a different approach:

In the EasyFlexibility system we take a different approach: We do not stretch two legs together until each leg is flexible. We isolate the muscles as much as possible. For example: when doing a forward bend, isolate the glute, the lower adductors, the lateral hamstring, the medial hamstring and the sciatic nerve. In simple terms it’s easier to stretch one rubber band, than 5 or 6 rubber bands at the same time.

Strengthening the muscles is very important as well. And not just the target muscles, hamstrings in this case, but also the back, so that the back is strong enough to contract and allow the stretch to go where it needs to go. And of course, this becomes less necessary when the muscle that isolated using Zaichik Stretching Techniques. The same would be if we were talking about the hip flexors or the adductors, or even if we went into the upper body, and talked about the shoulder joint and the shoulder girdle and how the back compensates when those muscles are tight.

The second example of course I'll mention is the hip flexors, it's extremely difficult to stretch all the hip flexors and all the adductors while not moving the spine, while not hyperextending the lower back. Most people will hyperextend the lower back. Instead of stretching the hip flexors.

Isolating the hip flexors one by one, while it definitely takes longer because you are doing more stretches as opposed to just doing one single lunge stretch. The progress is a lot faster, and the chance of injury is greatly reduced.

Hip Flexors Strength & Flexibility Program

Click on the Picture below to get started!
If you are having lower back pain I would suggest isolating the muscles. Building strength and awareness in the part of the body which is too mobile. In majority of cases this will ensure that the lower back is not being overstretched. Is not the weakest link. Is being protected. While you are still getting flexibility where you actually want to get it. For more information about the Zaichik Stretching Techniques please take a look at the EFTC Online Training Certification Course.

GET CERTIFIED AS AN EASYFLEXIBILITY INSTRUCTOR!

With our certifications you will be able to:
  • Teach at home!
  • Do one-on-one training sessions
  • Do group classes
  • Teach at your studio
  • The possibilities are endless!

THIS CERTIFICATION COURSE INCLUDES THE FOLLOWING:

  • Detailed instructions on how to teach, what to do, what not to do, how to properly put together training sessions.
  • FREE PROGRAMS of your choice: Your choice of digital videos is an added bonus to obtaining this certifications. It allows for a better idea of how Zaichik Stretching Techniques are combined to form specific routines.
  • Access to a Private Support Forum: Believe it or not – this is one of the most important elements of a program as it forms the right attitude towards the program. Upon registration for the course you gain an access to the private support forum, where you have a 24-hour active community to share your experience with, ask questions and seek advice.
  • Getting promoted for free on our social media (more than 250 thousand followers).
  • Listing in our private directory of EasyFlexibility Certified Instructors which allow you to be put on a list to be connected with potential clients that reach out to us.
  • Access to our STRETCH180 APP's features for Instructors only to help with student retention.
© ElasticSteel Corp., EasyFlexibility, Paul Zaichik, et. El., 2022. No part of the materials available through ElasticSteel.com, EasyFlexiiblity.com, site may be copied, photocopied, reproduced, translated or reduced to any electronic medium or machine-readable form, in whole or in part, without prior written consent of Paul Zaichik EasyFlexibility.com, Elasticsteel.com.. Any other reproduction in any form without the permission of Paul Zaichik EasyFlexibility.com, Elasticsteel.com is prohibited. All materials contained on this site are protected by United States copyright law and may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, displayed, published or broadcast without the prior written permission of Paul Zaichik, EasyFlexibility.com, Elasticsteel.com.

You might also like...

We Polled Hundreds of People: Why You’re Not Getting Flexible (And How to Fix It)
We Polled Hundreds of People: Why You’re Not Getting Flexible (And How to Fix It)
Top 10 Reasons Why You’re Not Getting Flexible After Years of Stretching Stretching is often seen as the key to unlo...
Read More
Straddle vs Side Split. What is the difference?
Straddle vs Side Split. What is the difference?
Straddle versus side split: What is the difference? Straddle versus side split: What is the difference? Straddle and ...
Read More
A Triangle of Hiking and Backpacking Injuries
A Triangle of Hiking and Backpacking Injuries
The Triangle of Hiking and Backpacking Injuries My first introduction into science of hiking or backpacking came from...
Read More
Side Split Mastery. Side split mastered? When is a side split truly mastered?
Side Split Mastery. Side split mastered? When is a side split truly mastered?
Side Split Mastery! Side split mastered? When is a side split truly mastered? I've been teaching strength and flexibi...
Read More
How effective is supine wall straddle or straddle waterfall for attaining a side split?
How effective is supine wall straddle or straddle waterfall for attaining a side split?
How effective is supine wall straddle or straddle waterfall for attaining a side split? We polled Stretch 180 app use...
Read More
Anterior vs. Posterior Pelvic Tilt: Key Insights & Benefits
Anterior vs. Posterior Pelvic Tilt: Key Insights & Benefits
Exploring Pelvic Tilt: Anterior vs. Posterior Differences and Innovative Uses of the Posterior Pelvic Tilt Program - ...
Read More

Share this post



← Older Post Newer Post →


Leave a comment

Please note, comments must be approved before they are published.