- The human spine is one of the most vital and important components of our mobility and our overall health. A person's spine and back muscles need taken care of and preserved through sensible treatment and proper exercise. The muscles in the back and surrounding the spinal cord keep the spinal cord straight and should be exercised and cared for throughout the course of one's life.
- An exercise that will help to stretch the spine is swimming. The most effective style of swimming that will stretch the spine is the breaststroke. Because the breaststroke requires kicking the legs in one direction and stretching the arms in the opposite direction, it is optimal for spine stretching. Swimming in general is a good exercise for stretching the spine due to the fact that being in a pool or body of water can neutralize the effects of gravity on the spine.
- Another effective exercise to stretch the spine is the leg stretch. A leg stretch is performed by first sitting down and then spreading the legs apart. It is important to keep the knees as straight as possible while doing leg stretches. Once in the required position a person needs to reach for one leg at a time, keeping the spine straight while moving the hips. Each reach should be held for a maximum of 15 seconds.
- The standing stretch is another spine stretching exercise. The exercise begins in a standing position, then hands are raised as high as possible while leaning back slightly. The stretch is felt in the lower spine area. Standing stretches should be held ten to fifteen seconds. Overall time for this workout in an exercise program does not have to exceed five minutes.
- Hanging is a simple and extremely effective spine stretching exercise that is done with a hanging bar. To reap the benefits of this exercise one must simply hang by the legs upside down on a sturdy bar apparatus while stretching the arms, spine and back. The stretches done in this position only need to be held a few seconds at a time to be effective.
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