LOVE MY BACK! Lower Body Stretches

lower back. I recently had the privilege to speak to the Florida Court Reporters Association and thought that part of the keynote would be relevant and worthwhile for anyone who is experiencing lower back trouble, perhaps due to long hours of sitting or driving. Whether your job requires endless hours of sitting, like court reporters, or you find yourself glued to the computer doing games. If you experience lower back tenderness, these stretches can significantly help. Perhaps you’re like me and have degenerative disks in your lower back. I have personally found I have less pain and discomfort when I perform these stretches and engage in routines that strengthen and tone my core, including my lower back. You can see these exercises, and join me for other exercises and workouts on YOUTUBE 

Note: Always consult a medical professional before trying these or any new exercise routines.

Lower Back Stretches to Relieve Tension, especially for those who sit all day!
1. Hamstring Stretch
Lie down on your back on a mat with your arms by your sides and your legs fully extended. Lift your left leg straight into the air so it makes a 90-degree angle with your torso and you can feel the stretch in your hamstrings. Support the leg with both of your hands. Hold for 30 seconds and repeat with the opposite leg. Perform 2-4 sets.
2. Knee to Chest Stretch
Lie down on your back on a mat with your arms by your sides and your legs fully extended. Lift your left leg off of the mat and bring it close to your chest. Feel the stretch in your glutes and lower back. Hold for 30 seconds and repeat with the opposite leg. Perform 2-4 sets.
3. Extension Stretch
Lie down on your stomach on a mat with your legs fully extended behind you. Prop up your torso by resting your weight on your forearms, and position your hands so your palms are facing down on the mat. Feel the stretch in your back and abdominals and hold for 30 seconds. Perform 2-4 sets.
4. Child’s Pose Stretch
Sit on your shins on a mat. Extend your arms straight above your head and bend your hips to lower your torso towards the mat. Rest your palms face down on the mat while keeping your arms fully extended. Your head should be positioned so you are looking down towards the floor. Feel the stretch in your back and hold for 30 seconds. Perform 2-4 sets.
5. Twist Stretch
Lie on your back on a mat with your arms by your sides and your legs fully extended. Take your left arm and extend it so that it is perpendicular to your torso. Twisting at your torso and bending at your knees, bring your legs up and to the right so that your quads are perpendicular to your torso and a 90-degree angle is formed at the knee. Your legs should be stacked on top of one another. Feel the stretch in your back and hold the position for 30 seconds before repeating on the opposite side. Perform 2-4 sets on each side.

Lower Back Stabilization Exercises to Strengthen
6. Wall Sit
Stand with your back against a wall. Squat down by bending at your knees and walking your feet out until your quads are parallel to the ground and your knees form a 90-degree angle. Make sure your feet are shoulder-width apart and your toes are pointing straight ahead. Hold this position for 30 seconds. Perform 2-4 sets.
7. Bridge
Lie down on your back on a mat with your arms by your sides and your knees bent with feet flat on the floor, shoulder-width apart, and toes pointing straight ahead. This is your starting position. Keeping your head and upper back firmly on the ground, lift your butt until your back and the ground make a 45-degree angle. Lower your body to the starting position and repeat for 12-20 reps. Perform 2-4 sets.
8. Quadruped Arm & Leg Raise
Get down on your hands and knees on a mat. This is your starting position. Raise your left arm and extend it straight out in front of you while simultaneously raising your right leg and extending it straight out in back of you. Hold the position for 2-3 seconds before returning to the starting position. Repeat with the right arm and left leg. Perform 12-20 reps for 2-4 sets. lower back
9. Side Plank
Lie on your left side on a mat. Prop up your torso by resting your weight on your left forearm (which should be perpendicular to your body) and position your feet so they are stacked on top of each other. Lift your body off of the ground so it forms a straight diagonal line. You can rest your right arm along the right side of your body. Hold this position for 30 seconds and then switch sides. Perform 2-4 sets on each side.