The link between tight calves / hamstring and lower back pain

Hi all,

As the title says, can someone explain the biomechanics behind how calf and hammy tightness effects lower back.

Ie. if you have a client with back pain, you would work along the kinetic chain to identify any tightness, but HOW does it cause lower back pain?

Thanks

the hamstrings attach to the bottom of the pelvis, your bum bones. If they are tight, the muscles pull on the pelvis where it attached---> posterior pelvic tilt. If the pelvis is already tilted at rest, then the lumbar spine naturally will slightly flex. Though could present as a 'flat back' with less lordosis. It can lead to strain on ligaments and structures and definately gives incorrect movements patterns..

Many people work on hams length if they are tight in those with lower back pain, and it does work. but there is not a set outcome in a number of studies though, some say that they have not had conclusive evidence. but my clinical experience has always found that it does affect the lower back.

this study ingentaconnect Effect of stretch positions on hamstring muscle length, lumbar fl... compared stretching hamstring for 4 weeks and found that it did not affect lumbar range of movement. but then they were not looking at pain levels.

Hi mark and Memgem,

It is very worthwhile to study the role of the fascie and anatomy trains in general.
Understanding the connections will make it easier for you to answer your own question.

Have a look at this document on the role of the fascia.
The Web of Life : Experience Life Magazine

Esther

I'm wondering about one thing why do the hamstrings and the calfs get tight in the 1st place? I know this is not your question but wouldn't it be sensible to have ask that question 1st? Muscles won't do a thing unless a nerve is attached to provide a signal. The signal of nerves to the muscle and environment will influence the muscle tension and thus the pull onto the tuber at the pelvis. because of this changes will take place regarding the stability of the pelvis and the spine as a whole. Actually the changes will/can provoke changes in the signal of the nerve and opting the muscle tension even more and so on and so on.
1 Pain is in the brain 2 muscles are dead without the nervous system. 3 By the way most football players have very tight Hamstrings (FMS score 0) but do not have back pain