Side Bending
Since I've been doing more online physio thanks to the coronavirus lockdown, the more I've been finding I can learn from watching my patients do very simple, full-body movements. One of those movements is the side bend.
When I first ask people to lean down sideways, they often simply slide a hand down the side of their leg, and stop with their fingertips half-way down their thigh. Nothing moves below the waist.
However, a full side bend incorporates shifting the bodyweight onto the outside of the opposite foot (so, if you're side bending to the left, your weight should shift over the outside of your right foot); your outer knee will take more strain, and your outer hip muscles will have to eccentrically lengthen, so that you can stretch into the side bend. Your side muscles will also lengthen, as your ribcage drops down on the side you're bending towards.
In other words, it's a full body movement.
Try it, and see if there are any areas where you feel stiff, or tight, or where your body doesn't want to go - and that might give you a hint as to where any niggles are arising from.
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