Back Rehab and Stretching

Rehabilitation is one of the key elements involved in allowing an athlete to return to play. Rehab takes on different forms and has many different approaches. The basic concept is to re-gain range of motion and place resistance on the affected part within that range of motion. This is accomplished by resistance exercise using weights, elastic bands, or the weight of the affected appendage. The important thing to remember is that resistance is resistance. You don't need expensive equipment or a gym membership to perform basic rehabilitation. For example, if you are performing shoulder exercises and don't have 1-2 pound weights, you can use other things such as a can of soup or something to that extent. Regardless of the resistance you use, one concept remains standard: low resistance with high repetitions.

The goal is to have the muscle repeat contractions against low resistance in an attempt to re-educate the muscle. When a muscle or joint is injured and has limited movements it needs to re-learn how to move again. By contracting repeatedly with low resistance, this allows for this task to be accomplished. When the athlete continues to rehabilitate, they need to constantly increase the resistance in order to progress. This will allow for additional strength to return to the affected area.

Perform 2-3 sets of 15 repetitions for each exercise; add weight or resistance as progress. Allow for 30 seconds to 1 minute between sets. Keep all motions pain-free, if have difficulty with any exercises notify the Athletic Trainer at 800-618-8880. When done should stretch the area exercised and finish with ice for about 20 minutes.

Full video for back rehabilitation & stretching

Low back stretch
Change angle of knee to target different parts of the low back

Low back stretch
pull knees to chest and lift head for additional stretch

Hamstring and low back stretch
Reach opposite hand to foot with knee as straight as possible

Hyperextensions
Low back exercises start and finish

Flexions
Start and finish


Quadraped exercise
Extend opposite arm and leg while maintaining balance and then switch

Upper back stretch and shoulder stretch for left and right shoulders
Change angle of pull to get a different stretch in the upper back