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 straight leg hamstring stretch:

1. Lie on your back, keeping your right leg straight.  Bend your left leg so that your left foot rests comfortably on the floor (or whatever surface you are stretching on).
2. Wrap a long rope or a bath towel around the arch of your right foot.
3. Contract the muscles in your right leg and hip to raise your leg while keeping your right knee straight until you feel a gentle stretch in your hamstrings.
4. Gently pull on the rope/towel to provide an additional 1 lb. of force in the direction of the stretch.
5. Hold this position for 1.5 - 2 seconds and then return to the starting position described in step 1.

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.