Hips key to low back pain
Hips key to low back pain?
Hip mobility and low back pain are closely related. Restricted hip mobility can cause compensations in the lower back, leading to low back pain. Conversely, low back pain can also cause compensations in the hips, leading to restricted hip mobility.
When the hip joint is tight, it can limit the range of motion of the lower back, causing the lumbar spine to compensate for the lack of mobility. This can lead to an excessive amount of stress on the lower back muscles and joints, resulting in pain and discomfort.
In addition, tight hip muscles such as the hip flexors and glutes can cause an anterior pelvic tilt, which is a common posture associated with low back pain. This posture can increase the lordotic curve in the lumbar spine, putting more pressure on the lower back muscles and causing pain.
Therefore, improving hip mobility through stretching and strengthening exercises can help alleviate low back pain by reducing compensations in the lumbar spine. Similarly, addressing low back pain can also improve hip mobility by reducing compensations in the hips.
The hips are the key to low back pain. Here are a few basic static hip stretches you can try to begin with. Go slow into stretch and hold 20 seconds each side.
1. Gluteal stretch (Left side in example)
2. Hip flexor stretch (Right side in example)
If your back or hip pain persists though it might be an indication to come in for an assessment and treatment so we can help you further.
