Patients who regularly perform the one leg to chest exercise report that it provides relief from painful symptoms.
The irony of exercises such as one leg to chest is that although research has demonstrated that exercise is usually the best way to provide relief from back pain, most patients are reluctant to exercise the area for fearing of making the injury worse.
Performing this stretch is easy. The starting position is lying on your back on a carpeted floor or exercise mat. Slowly bend one knee into your chest using your hands, keeping the other leg straight. Pause for ten to twenty seconds while gently hugging the leg, then slowly lower your leg back to the floor. Repeat with the other leg.
This exercise will relieve pressure and pain in the lower back, and also stretches the gluteals (butt). You can do 5 to 10 repetitions up to three times per day.
As with all back exercises, you should stretch to the point of tightness, but never to the point of pain.
