– in this case the calves. This may be the most likely cause if the nerve is stuck in the lower back as the problem is affecting both sides. If this seems to fit the bill, then stretching the sciatic nerve will help. The third option is less common

minutes, and despite a recent search of the literature, there doesn’t appear to be any evidence to support this idea. Indeed, it may be argued that holding a stretch for so long may actually precondition nerves (which is a bad thing) and lead to muscle

misfit at the joints after the birth. However, in the case of your Caesarean section, this final stretch is avoided. From the symptoms that you describe, it seems likely that tension in the sciatic nerve has a role in producing your pain. A chartered

for prolonged periods aggravates your pain. This is known to increase the pressure on the back. Raise these points with a chartered physiotherapist, and if indeed it proves to be nerve- or back-related, they will show you nerve stretches and establish why

to contract properly) and also mobility exercises for the spine. In addition, you need a full stretching programme for the muscles and nerves that relate to your hips and spine.—Martin Haines, chartered physiotherapist and sports injury specialist

, hoping to beat his PB of 2:42, but he’s still looking after his back by stretching it regularly with a routine Harwich has given him that aims to reduce the tension in his hamstrings, calves, shins and ankles. “The stretches do help, but I still need a

by, among other things, an old injury, your running style, protection for a nerve that is ‘trapped’ or compensation for an immobile joint. If a physiotherapist can establish one of the above as the cause of your scoliosis, the chances of your

of those people with naturally poor circulation – so extremities such as your feet can suffer.Parasthesia can also be caused by a ‘trapped’ or restricted nerve in the foot. In turn this might be connected to a minor biomechanical imbalance in the foot

UAN:212 Article type:-->Hamstrings are unusual in that they pass over two joints, the hip and the knee. They are therefore most likely to be injured when the hip is bent and the knee fully straightened. Further stretching may cause an injury

’m stretching the hamstring before and after runs, but it doesn’t seem to be getting better. Can you help?A There are many potential causes of hamstring tightness when running. If the hamstring felt tight but not acutely painful during or after training