I couldn’t believe it when I saw this stretch as a recommendation from an orthopedist for workers who sit all day.
Now, please don’t think I have anything but respect for specialists who treat degenerative bone and joint problems as well as those suffering from traumatic fractures. But when I see someone encouraging their patients to do exercises that are putting more stress and pressure onto their spine, muscles and joints, potentially creating a problem, I get nervous.
My 40+ year career has always focused on treating patients’ back pain, and with this experience comes knowledge and expertise in what I am recommending to them.
Imagine if you will, leaning over to touch your toes. Now, would you say this is a good stretch first thing in the morning after you wake up? More than likely it would actually feel much better to sit or stand (as opposed to leaning over to the floor), and bringing your arms behind you and slightly arching your back… now that feels good!
Likewise, I would never recommend to anyone who sits all day to take a break and bend over to touch their toes. Your objective at work is to accomplish your tasks efficiently, but it should also be to avoid any stress or damage to your body.
Sitting causes the muscles and joints in the low, mid, and upper back, as well as the shoulders, to be extremely tight and restricted. Think of rolling yourself up into a ball with your knees in your chest and your arms around your knees. Would you think that this would be a good stretch if you sat all day? Of course not!
The focus of my practice is on providing you with useful and time-tested techniques for overcoming workday and exercise stress so you can have the healthiest and optimally functioning body possible.
Check out my other blog articles for pain relieving stress reducing techniques at: chiroharvey.com