If you have searched the internet looking for answers about your spondylolisthesis you have most likely looked for common issues that may contribute to your spondylolisthesis or spondylolysis related back pain.
One of the most common so called issues is tight hamstrings. You often hear:
“Stretch your hamstrings if you have back pain”
Or
“Your back hurts because you have tight hamstrings, you need to stretch them”
One of the most common so called issues is tight hamstrings. You often hear:
“Stretch your hamstrings if you have back pain”
Or
“Your back hurts because you have tight hamstrings, you need to stretch them”
From years of working with a variety of athletes and clients along with working on ways to help my own spondy, one thing I have learned is that there is much more to a tight hamstring than meets the eye.
And in some cases to prescribe someone to lay around and stretch their hamstrings all day can cause more damage than good.
Just because you are having back pain does not mean you have tight hamstrings and just because you have tight hamstrings does not mean you will have back pain.
If you do have tight hamstrings think about this:
Instead of wondering how you can loosen or stretch your hamstrings the better question is why do you have tight hamstrings in the first place?
Once this question is properly answered you can then come up with an approach to correct the issues.
More than likely other physical problems are causing you to have tight hamstrings. And until these areas are addressed your hamstrings will continue to be tight. No matter how much stretching you do.
For some, tight hamstrings are the body’s defense to make up for lack of production from other areas.
I recently came across a blog post that does a great job describing this exact topic.
I often read the blog of Eric Cressey. Eric is one of the smartest guys in the strength and conditioning field and is a phenomenal strength coach.
In his latest blog post he discusses 5 reasons why you have tight hamstrings. Eric discusses various causes for tight hamstrings and how they approach these issues. He explains this topic much better than I would, so I provided a link below for you to enjoy.
You can read Eric Cressey’s blog post titled 5 reasons you have tight hamstrings here.
AS YOU READ THE REASONS PAY CLOSE ATTENTION TO REASON #1.
I was excited to see he feels the same way as I do when it comes to tight hamstrings. In reason number one he does a PHENOMINAL job in explaining why people with spondy’s often have tight hamstrings.
His reasoning mirrors some similar points we made in our post titled Spondylolisthesis Training Tips – A Female Approach.
Not everyone who has a spondy needs to fall into the "stretch the hamstrings" category. You need to get evaluated by a professional to determine the underlying cause of your tightness before you go stretching your hamstrings like crazy. Your perceived tightness in the hamstrings could be a clue to another area that needs stability or strengthening work.
If you can, take a few seconds and read his article. It is a great one and will really help to increase your knowledge on a misunderstood topic. Enjoy!
And in some cases to prescribe someone to lay around and stretch their hamstrings all day can cause more damage than good.
Just because you are having back pain does not mean you have tight hamstrings and just because you have tight hamstrings does not mean you will have back pain.
If you do have tight hamstrings think about this:
Instead of wondering how you can loosen or stretch your hamstrings the better question is why do you have tight hamstrings in the first place?
Once this question is properly answered you can then come up with an approach to correct the issues.
More than likely other physical problems are causing you to have tight hamstrings. And until these areas are addressed your hamstrings will continue to be tight. No matter how much stretching you do.
For some, tight hamstrings are the body’s defense to make up for lack of production from other areas.
I recently came across a blog post that does a great job describing this exact topic.
I often read the blog of Eric Cressey. Eric is one of the smartest guys in the strength and conditioning field and is a phenomenal strength coach.
In his latest blog post he discusses 5 reasons why you have tight hamstrings. Eric discusses various causes for tight hamstrings and how they approach these issues. He explains this topic much better than I would, so I provided a link below for you to enjoy.
You can read Eric Cressey’s blog post titled 5 reasons you have tight hamstrings here.
AS YOU READ THE REASONS PAY CLOSE ATTENTION TO REASON #1.
I was excited to see he feels the same way as I do when it comes to tight hamstrings. In reason number one he does a PHENOMINAL job in explaining why people with spondy’s often have tight hamstrings.
His reasoning mirrors some similar points we made in our post titled Spondylolisthesis Training Tips – A Female Approach.
Not everyone who has a spondy needs to fall into the "stretch the hamstrings" category. You need to get evaluated by a professional to determine the underlying cause of your tightness before you go stretching your hamstrings like crazy. Your perceived tightness in the hamstrings could be a clue to another area that needs stability or strengthening work.
If you can, take a few seconds and read his article. It is a great one and will really help to increase your knowledge on a misunderstood topic. Enjoy!
