Decrease Low Back Pain Caused by Tight Hips with This Exercise

Back pain has so many varying causes within the body. Often, we see correlations between different muscle groups and low back pain. The lumbopelvic complex has many contributing joints and muscles. This month we will look at the correlation between hip flexors and low back pain. The relationship between hip flexors and low back pain is closely interconnected. The hip flexors are a group of muscles responsible for bending the hips and bringing the knees toward the chest. When these muscles become tight, injured, or irritated, they influence the pelvis, causing it to function outside of its normal patterns. Pain can sometimes be an outcome of this.  Additionally, tight hip flexors can restrict the range of motion in the hips, forcing the lower back to compensate and further exacerbating the discomfort. In a research article linked below, they found that hip range of motion (flexion, extension, internal rotation, external rotation, and abduction) at bilateral hips were significantly reduced in the case group (chronic low back pain) as compared with the healthy control group (no low back pain). This stretch is one way to improve parts of your hip range of motion. Maintaining flexibility and proper conditioning of the hip flexor muscles is crucial in preventing and alleviating low back pain. Give this stretch for your hip flexors a try and let us know how it goes. Movement is only one piece of the puzzle so if you want more answers, do not hesitate to reach out. We are here to help!