The importance of hip mobility 

When it comes to spinal health, your hips can go both ways: tight hips cause instability at the base of the spine and lower back pain; loose hips improve your body’s ability to stabilize and transfer forces, helping to prevent injury. Opening your hips is a key way to release many regions from the tightness and tension of daily life. Fortunately, you can practice strengthening and stretching your hips from anywhere at any time. 

How can I promote hip mobility on a daily basis?

If you are overwhelmed by the thought of starting an exercise plan and struggling to find a place to start, choose the hips.  Restoring mobility to the hip flexors is the first step toward reducing the pull on your lower spine and establishing full range of motion throughout the spine. Here is one daily stretch you can do:

The piriformis stretch

1. Start by laying on your back
2. Cross one knee over the opposite thigh
3. Then clasp your hands underneath your resting knee and pull toward the opposite shoulder
4. Stretch for up to 30 seconds then repeat with the other leg 

The more you perform this stretch, the more mobile your hips will become and the better you will be at the stretch. The piriformis stretch is just the tip of the iceberg. It can be paired with many other stretches to improve hip mobility and relieve back pain. If you are interested in finding out more about the importance of hip mobility for your spine, give our office in Dunedin a call to schedule an appointment today.