Do you find your hamstrings are constantly tight no matter how much you stretch them? Than stop stretching your hamstrings. Most likely, you do not actually have tight hamstrings. Some possible issues that could actually be going on are fascial restriction, neural restriction, tight muscles in your low back or lower leg, or lack of motor planning.
Try this sequence instead:
- Lie on your back. Keep one leg straight on the floor/bed. Hold the other thigh, hip and knee should be at 90 degrees. Maintain the position in the thigh as you straighten your knee until you feel a strong pull and then bend your knee again. Perform 15 repetitions.
- On the last repetition, hold the leg in the straight position and then move your ankle back and forth, pointing your toe toward the ceiling and then bringing your toe down towards you. Perform 15 repetitions.
- Perform an active straight leg raise, using your full motion in an unloaded position. Keeping the same leg straight, raise it up as high as you can and then lower it back down.
- Lastly, perform Good Mornings, using full motion in a loaded position. Hold a PVC pipe across your shoulders. Keeping your back straight and knees mostly straight, hinge forward at your hips. Your torso comes forward and your hips shift/translate backwards slightly.
Go through that sequence daily for 1-2 weeks and see if your hamstrings are feeling any looser. If that did not help, you may need some further, professional assistance to loosen things up. Click here for more information or here to schedule an appointment or FREE discovery session.
