The hamstrings are a group of three muscles on the back of the thigh. Two of them run from the pelvis along the inner thigh to the knee, and one runs along the outer leg to the knee. If you place your hands behind your knee, you can feel the hamstring attachments as firm, bone-like tendons -- one on the outside and two on the inside of the knee. On the other end, the hamstrings also attach to the ischial tuberosity sitting bones of the pelvis.
Tight hamstrings are a common cause of injuries, and are a source of many lower back pain issues as well. Tight hamstrings tend to flatten the lower back, causing people to lose the normal curve of the lumbar spine. That's a big contributor to lower back pain and lower back injuries.
Staying flexible is critical in keeping aches and pains away as you get older. When you lose flexibility, you lose range of motion. This doesn't just mean achy joints and muscles; it slowly makes you lose the ability to do the daily movements you take for granted.
A recent study in the American Journal of Physiology suggests that lack of flexibility might even be linked to cardiovascular disease. Improving flexibility with stretching, yoga, or Pilates should be integrated as part of a complete exercise routine.
SmartToes Toe Stretchers and Straightener unique design are beneficial to stretching your hamstrings, as well as, hammer toe and hammer toe treatment and bunion treatment.
SmartToes now available at Duane Reade.
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