Cracking your back, or as we call it manipulating your back or adjusting your back, can help relieve back pain. But make sure the cause of your back pain is diagnosed FIRST because with some back issues you should NEVER crack your back
The first way to crack your back is by using a foam roller. I like the ones that are slightly softer so it gives a little along your spine.
Next, you can get into a long sit position. This can also stretch your piriformis muscle and erector spinae muscles in your back. The twisting motion may help you get a pop in your back.
Then you can do an egg roll or a double knee to chest with a roll. This one is a little more difficult, but works well at getting your back to crack if you don’t have a foam roll.
Now you will sit in a chair and twist your body. Once you start the twist, get to the end range, and then do a quick push.
Finally, you can get a more gentle back manipulation on a swiss ball or therapy/stability ball. This is also a great stretch for your back.
These back pain relief stretches are great for helping to relieve general back pain and back stiffness. The back stretches are done in real time, so they are easy to follow.
One of the most effective back pain relief stretches is the prayer stretch, also known as child’s pose. However, this popular stretch can be challenging for those who cannot get down on the floor or put pressure on their knees. Fortunately, there is an excellent alternative: the seated rolldown stretch. This modification provides a comprehensive back and whole body stretch without the need to kneel or lie on the floor.
Lower back pain can make it difficult to perform everyday activities. Here are some of my favorite back stretches & exercises that can help provide low back pain relief and strengthen back muscles.
These back pain stretches and exercises are for general back pain like soreness from overworking your back or if you've pulled a muscle. Check out the back pain section of my website for more specific back pain related exercises and stretches.
Therapeutic Yoga can help relieve back pain by incorporating physical therapy & yoga. Trudy, a fellow PT & registered yoga teacher, stops by to show me stretches & exercises for back pain relief.
This 20-minute back pain relief stretching & exercise routine is done in real-time so it’s easy to follow along. Since back & hip muscles are often the same groups of muscles, it may also help relieve hip pain.