hamstrings

Submitted by joy on April 19, 2004 - 2:11pm
Body: 

Dear Christine,

You just mentioned how important it is to be flexible enough to do forward bends...I realize that the back of my thighs are very tight, I can hardly do any forward bends....it is as if I am so ridged I cannot even move into a forward bend or 'straight legged toe touch' as we used to call it....So, question is this: If I just slowly, slowly keep trying, and keep working with the backs of the legs to reach and bend,even if I can barely do this movement at all, do you think there is any hope that I can actully change my body and eventually do this? I am shocked at how tight the backs of my thighs are...Just touching my knees without bending my knees is quite a 'stretch'...If you saw how ridiculous this looks you would all have a good laugh.....no wonder everything is falling down andout! Gosh, I just was not doing any stretching or any excersise of any kind for several years now, and it has really taken its toll! Shoot! Can I get this 'old dog' to do new tricks?
Any encouragement or suggestions for my feeble condition? and I better be able to this, and be 'living proof'that it words, especially if my desire is to teach this to others someday! Help!

Thanks, S-Joy

COACH2211

April 19, 2004 - 6:06pm

Joy, not knowing your age or physical fitness level of conditioning, I can safely say that you can gently stretch your hamstrings. Be aware of over-stretching too soon (this can happen easily if you force yourself). You can do the stretches from a stand, a sit and a back-lying position. Again, gently, and after stretching curl up in a tuck position and roll side to side on your back, holding your knees snuggly. You might want to add a few more gentle stretches along w/ the hamstrings-follow Christine's book for the PF ones-they're great. Hope this helps... KB

joy

April 19, 2004 - 8:49pm

Hi KB, thank you for your help....I am, by the way, 57 years old...and, as I say, have not been doing much exercise for several years now....sort of quit when I got menopausal and then never got back to it....not good! So, I will keep gently pushing myself to stretch my hamstrings....I am astonished at how tight and stiff I am...you don't notice these things when you are not useing them... But, I guess with some time and work on this, I can do it...I will take your suggestions and we shall see how it goes...thanks so much, S-Joy

cbaxter

April 20, 2004 - 6:24am

Dear S-Joy:

I didn't know if you wanted us to jump in and respond but since KB did, I thought I'd get my two cents in. One thing that really helped me when I started out with very tight hamstrings was to make sure that my muscles were really warmed up before I did any kind of stretching - especially the back of my legs. I still do the same thing. I never stretch a cold muscle but always warm up first. For me, brisk walking or marching in place for at least five to ten minutes is a good way to warm up the muscles before doing any stretching helps to make sure it's going to help and be less likely to hurt.

There are great hamstring stretches listed on the internet by doing a google groups advanced search under hamstring stretches or stretching hamstrings. -Chris

pammcg

April 20, 2004 - 6:54am

I like to stretch in the shower in the morning. It feels very relaxing and I seem to be more flexible then.
Pam

joy

April 20, 2004 - 7:41am

Thank you so much, all of you....this is all very helpful...I'll take all your suggestions and I will do apply them, its so nice to have this place of communiction with all of you, and I'm listening and doing!
thanks and in gratitude for each and everyone of you, S-Joy ....

COACH2211

April 20, 2004 - 5:46pm

Joy, one more thing I thought of... if you can get into water, especially a hottub, the gentle stretching becomes even better. Word to the wise though, sometimes it's too easy, so take care on over-stretching and doing more harm than good. Swimming would be great too. (I'm over your age group & we can still 'kick the ball around'. No giving up, right!) KB

tracey34

April 28, 2004 - 7:09am

Joy

I find that when my pelvic joint has been unstable (which comes about as lower back pain) I have virtually NO flexibility in my hamstrings AT ALL and I am only 34!!

I am usually very flexible and so it just goes to show that if one part is out of sync it has a big knock on effect.

IF you are suffering lower back pain when you stretch out your hamstrings, get it checked out by the chiropracter.

If not, then you are probably just really stiff and need a gentle all over work out devised for your level. Warming up before and after exercise can not be over emphasised.

Love
Tracey

mariezee

April 22, 2004 - 9:11pm

Hi Joy. Two years ago I bent over in this desk chair and picked up my grandson and felt something snap and my lower back started hurting like the dickens. Nothing would take the pain away.
Went to the doctor and he gave me strong prescriptions for pain but they wouldn't work either so finally after an MRI he suggested Physical Therapy. That did the trick for me (two months, three times a week). One that she had me do for my hamstrings is to sit on the bed or sofa and turn sideways and put one leg up and try to touch my toe and count to 30 seconds. Three times for each leg. That helped me a lot. I still do that and the other execises she gave me to keep my back strong. I had back surgery about 20 some years ago for a herniated disk and thought sure that had happened again. It turned out to be weak muscles from not using them and also arthuritis. (I need a spell check here)

Anyway try that leg stretch, you should be able to reach further and further the more you do it.