Having lower back pain while hunting, hiking, or just having fun in the wilderness can really kill the mood. Once the back seizes up, your favorite outdoor activity is immediately overshadowed by a nagging discomfort that can last for days.
This pain comes from the back muscles tightening up after sitting in a particular stance for a long time, making a quick movement, or picking something up incorrectly and can lead to a long term injury if not dealt with immediately.
While back pain is one of the most common reasons why people go to the doctors, there are many measures one can take before opting for surgery. The most important measure is being more aware of your body.
You might notice that your lower back is not the only thing impending your movement. When you have a tight lower back, the tightness can spread throughout your body and create imbalances that can further increase your discomfort.
Everything is connected. If your lower back is tight, most likely your hamstrings, glutes, and hips are just as rigid. The combination of these four areas is what is causing you more and more pain.
Ok, you’re more aware of your body but the pain is still there. You’re out in the wilderness. It feels like someone is twisting a knife in your lower back. You can’t just lay down and ice your back or sleep it off. There’s no doctor in sight… What should you do?
You don’t have to stop your trip or stop enjoying the outdoors all together. All you need to do is add a daily stretching routine to release the tightness in your hamstrings, glutes, hips, and back.
And because every body is different, I’ve pulled together a variety of stretches for you to choose from and create a routine that fits your needs.
With these twelve simple stretches, you’ll be able to reduce your lower back pain so you can carry on with your day, no matter what you’re doing or where you are.