Mt. Pleasant Classical Academy

For the last several months I’ve had a pain in the upper back of my right leg. It wasn’t a continuous pain, and wasn’t there when I was walking, but if I tried to cross my right leg over my left—OUCH!!! A dull-pain running from my butt to the back of my knee was what I felt. It felt like somthing was stiff and sore, and like a muscle needed to be stretched so I did my normal stretching exercises.

Nothing helped. I have hypertension, a genetic blessing or curse, so on Thursday I had my 6-month check-up with my Dr. He examined the movement in my legs and said that my right hamstring was tight and significantly less mobile than my left. I like this Dr but his answer to any exercise or muscle problem is—Go Swimming. Well, we don’t have a pool and for some reason Pat doesn’t want one in our yard. Instead I surfed the net; even though I’d much rather go surfing in the water, and discovered that a tight hamstring is a common injury with older athletes whose exercise is primary walking.

OK, great, not only do my boys tease me about how I will soon be over-the-hill, but even the internet is pegging me as older.

The stretching exercises I found include:

• The most common technique is to simply bend forward at the waist, with legs relatively straight, and try to touch the toes and hold this position.

• If this approach is not well tolerated, less strain is applied to the back by sitting on a chair and placing the legs straight out in front on another chair, then reaching forward to try to touch the toes. One leg at a time may be stretched.

• One of the least stressful stretching techniques is to lie on the floor and pull the leg up and straighten by holding onto a towel that is wrapped behind the foot. One leg at a time may be stretched.

• Another less stressful option is to lie on the floor, with the buttocks against a wall, and place the foot up against the wall and then try to push the knee straight. One leg at a time may be stretched.

• Sit down and straighten your left leg. The sole of your right foot should rest next to the inside of your straightened leg. Lean slightly forward and touch your foot with your fingers. Keep your left foot upright with the ankle and toes relaxed. Hold for 30 seconds. Repeat with right leg.

• Lie on your back, keeping the back flat and your eyes focused upward. Grasp the back of one thigh with both your hands and (leg bent) pull that thigh into a 90-degree position vs. the floor. Then slowly straighten your knee. After you’ve gotten used to doing this exercise, you can achieve a better stretch by pulling your thigh closer to your chest—but don’t overdo it!

I’ve now been stretching for 3 days and the pain is less. Amazing. The internet saves the day again.