A Beginners Guide To Back Stretches For Flexibility

Photo credit: Unsplash - Strong back muscles

 

Your back is one of many crucial components of the body. Not only does it help with balance and posture, but it also connects various parts of the body such as the torso with the hips, the shoulders and neck, and the buttocks. 

Still, while the back is a very important muscle, it is often taken for granted and neglected. Strengthening your back has a multitude of benefits which I will mention a bit later on in this post. 

What causes back pain?

Photo credit: Unsplash - Back pain treatment

Bad posture is often a major culprit and the cause of back pain. Poor posture when sitting down, standing, or lifting things can lead to long-term chronic back pain. Strengthening the back muscles will not only enhance aesthetics, but also improve your wellness and reduce the chances of injury and strain. 

Why is back stretches for flexibility a good thing? 

Photo credit: Unsplash - Flexible back

Flexibility is essential for all muscles in the body, but for this post, I want to focus on the large back muscle. Daily poor posture can result in muscle strain. This includes sitting for long periods of time. The strain exerted on the back can cause shoulder and lower back pain. 

Back stretches for flexibility has many pros. 

Reduced risk for injuries 

When your back is more flexible and you practice proper posture, then the chances of injuries to your back is reduced. 

It may speed up the healing time of back sprain

If you've hurt your back by straining it, it takes very long to heal and hampers your normal movement abilities. But, when it comes to spinal flexibility, you'll notice a faster healing time.   

Better posture and balance 

With spinal flexibility, it helps to improve your posture naturally as well as balance. This is good news and thus reducing the risk of falls especially in the elderly. 

Easy back stretches for flexibility: Beginners are  welcomed 

Photo credit: Unsplash - Improve balance 

Sphynx pose 

This gentle back pose is excellent for beginners and intermediates. To do the sphynx pose: 

• Lie on your stomach 

• Lift your arms up under your shoulders and rest your forearms on the ground (similar to a plank) 

• Stay in the pose breathing 5 to 10 breaths 

Cat/Cow pose 

• On all fours hands and knees get into this position

• With an inhale flex your back towards the ground turning your gaze towards the ceiling

• On the exhaled breath, arch your back extending it towards the ceiling 

• Do this for 5 breaths 

Bow pose 

• Lie on your stomach and bring your legs up at the back to grab your ankles 

• With your chest lifted away from the ground make sure the knees are apart

• Hold this pose for 5 breaths or longer if you can

Supported bridge 

• While lying on your back, lift your hips and support your weight with your feet

• The bridge pose with support should have a block underneath your hips to create support 

• You can hold this pose for 5 to 10 breaths 

Senior yoga or chair yoga

Photo credit: Pexels - Senior yoga

Age is just a number and you can still take care of your wellness throughout your years. The wonderful practice of senior yoga is excellent and improves posture, balance and range for elderly folks. What's more is that there isn't strain and overexertion during the poses because it is low impact yet effective. 

Furthermore chair yoga can also:

• Reduce muscle and joint stiffness

• May help improve blood pressure

• Improves blood circulation

• Improve coordination

• May help to reduce inflammation and arthritis pain 

•       May improve spinal flexibility

The conclusion about why you aught to embrace back stretches for flexibility

Photo credit: Unsplash - Exercise for back pain

Sometimes when working an office job, sitting behind a desk is part of the process. But when you change your seating area and create a more ergonomically comfortable space, your posture and back will thank you later. 

If your regular exercise routine doesn't feature these back strengthening and flexible exercises,  then implementing it will help. You can add it to your routine along with the breathing techniques following through.