Hamstring are notoriously tight on many people we see.  Hamstring inflexibility contributes to many cases of low back pain.  It also inhibits the resolution of low back pain if the hamstring tightness is not addressed during the regular course of care.

To perform the bent knee hamstring stretch:

1. Lie on your back with both knees up and both feet flat on whatever surface you are lying on.
2. Contract the right thigh muscles (quadriceps) and extend the right knee slowly until the right leg is straight and a gentle stretch is felt along the hamstrings.
3. Use your hand or a rope/bath towel wrapped around the foot to gently apply an additional 1 lb. of force in the direction of the stretch.
4. Hold the stretch for 1.5 - 2 seconds and return the leg to the starting position.

Repeat the above steps for a total of 2 sets of 10 repetitions on the right and 10 repetitions on the left.  Alternate legs after each set.