Should You Stretch or Strengthen It? | Episode 35

Dr. Grant Elliott with RehabFix Online Low Back Program: To stretch or strengthen, that is the question…. Many people will say they have tight hamstrings or hip flexors and they need to stretch them. Especially those with low back issues, disc herniation, or sciatica have often heard it is from tight hamstrings or hip flexors, or they just happen to notice that with this low back injury their hamstrings feel extra tight. But do they? Could that be a waste to stretch them? I just made a post on my Instagram saying “A tight muscle is often a weak muscle. Strengthen more, stretch less." and the question arose about how to know when to stretch or strengthen? In this podcast, I discuss some simple methods to determine what you should do in your situation, and how to continue in a way that is more appropriate for your particular issue! Now if you are struggling with a disc herniation or sciatica then it is quite common that a response will be tight hamstrings or hip flexors and in these situations usually stretching nor strengthening will do much. We need to address the low back as the tightness is just a symptom! So if you are struggling with lower back issues and would like to work 1-on-1 with me then please submit an application using the link below so we can meet and put a plan together! To view hundreds of free low back videos please follow us on instagram at @rehabfix www.instagram.com/rehabfix and to learn more about how we can work together to fix your low back online please visit www.therehabfix.com/low-back-program