Balanced Betty
If you spend a lot of time sitting at a desk every day, you may have noticed some stiffness in your lower back and legs.
The muscles at the back of your thighs (your hamstrings) tend to shorten as a result of this regular sitting position.
This will cause a 'pulling' effect on the posterior pelvic area when you are standing, and could eventually cause lower back pain.
To avoid this, try doing one of the following two stretches at least once a day.
Hamstring Stretch
Lying:
Place a towel around the sole of your foot. Keeping the knee straight, pull your leg towards your body and
hold it at its maximum position (the point of tension, not pain!) for 20 to 40 seconds. Your other leg should be lying straight on the floor. Repeat this stretch
on the other leg.
Standing:
Put the heel of your foot on a chair or bench. Flex your foot. Keeping your knee on this leg straight and bending from the hip joint, reach for your foot. The standing
leg can bend at the knee. Hold the stretch at your maximum position for 20 to 40 seconds. Repeat this stretch on the other leg.
Disclaimer
This newsletter is not intended to replace the services of a suitably qualified practitioner. Any application of the recommendations set forth in this newsletter
is at the reader's discretion and sole risk.
© Chi-Netix 2010