Pre game stretch

I do quite a few pre-game stretches to work out the legs, arms, neck, back, etc. However I still have not found a real good strech for the lower back (lumbar region).

Any suggestions?

[Bernie]

Yeah, don't do it. Seriously.

Concentrate on strecthing the hamstrings instead, which also does some lower back by design, but the focus should be on the hamstrings.

Not that I'm an expert or anything, but while out 6 months with a lower back injury I learned a lot between my orthopeadic surgeon and PT's.

Bernie

[daemyn75]

Funny you should mention this i just read in article in my lastest issue of from the crease. try laying on your back and pulling one knee to your chest and than the other than both. Hold them for a 10 count. Next stretch is too sit in a chair and place one ankle on your thy and turn your upper torso in the direction your knee is pointing (right or left) hold for 10 count that switch sides. those are my 2 favorites except for a nice coed naked rub down before the game with my stick handler

[Squealagig]

The bringing your knees to your chest doesn't work for me. My knees get to my chest and I still don't feel a strech. and that other one doesn't work on a swivil chair What I do like though, I kneel down and then put my back all the way down to the floor.

I tried to take a chair out on the ice, but they wouldn't let me...

[TartanBill]

I had some back pain last spring, my doctor gave me some exercises and stretches. The soreness has gone and not returned.

Before games, I so some half sit-ups. They do not stretch, but do help warm up the muscles.

Leg to chest is one of the stretch exercises. Even if you do not feel the stretch, do it anyway.

My favorite is "angry cat". Get down on all fours, arch the back like an angry cat. This is a nice gentle stretch.

The reverse of this is a sort of "push up" where you keep the hips on the floor.

Another is to stand up straight, put your chin up pull your shoulders back with your hands behing your back and stand on your toes.

Most of these also turned up in my wife's yoga instructions.

Your mileage may vary, but these are low stress so they shouldn't hurt.

Bill...

Just want to wholeheartedly second the use of Yoga as an aid inflexibility... I've only been doing it for a short time, but I've noticed a drastic increase in flexibility as well as shortened recovery times. Get yourself a beginner video and give it a shot!

>Kevin

The reason for the inital post was that my lower back gets very sore right around the end of the first period... Almost to the point where it is difficult to assume my normal stand up stance with any degree of comfort.

This is the point in the game when I am most vulnerable to getting beat shots in the upper and lower corners. My movments are hindered by the pain, and stiffness that I encounter, however it only lasts about 15 min. or so.

I do a variety of stretches before the game after running stairs or riding a stationary bike.

[daemyn75]

try taking some motrin before the game. I have the same problem you have described and it helps me out. The hunched position hurts my back too but if I take some pain killers about an hour prior to the game I don't experience the pain.

[TartanBill]

Jester

What I suggested is a reasonable thing to try. I was getting a similar type of soreness, and a terrible next day hangover.

I strongly an advocate every