Cat/Cow Back Stretches

Your back (lumbar spine and thoracic spine) can develop stiffness from a variety of reasons including poor posture, wear and tear with aging, and injuries. This exercise is a good way to get a stiff back moving on those tough mornings when it feels like you are encased in concrete.

1. On your hands and knees curl your back up to the sky as much as you can hold 1 second and arch your back down toward the floor as far as you can.
2. This should become a rhythmic motion switching from an arched to a rounded back.
3. After 15 reps you will find your low back mobility better and you will be more prepared to go about your day.
4. This can also relieve pain after sitting in one place for a long period of time.

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Commonly Recommended For: Physiotherapists often include this exercise in treatment plans for Back and Neck Pain, Sciatica, Disc Bulge / Herniation, Lumbar Spinal Stenosis, and Pinched Nerve. If you're managing one of these conditions, speak with your physiotherapist about whether this exercise is appropriate for you.