Can the Hamstrings be lengthened without stretching
Traditionally the way most authorities have approached lengthening hamstrings is via passive or active stretching. I have looked at some of the underlying reasons for short hamstrings on my website page tight hamstrings. Discussed at there is the issue that stretching in itself may not be the solution. For instance the hamstrings may be taking over the roles meant to be performed by other muscles. This is also partly addressed on my website page exercises for back pain which looks at core stability and substitution movement patterns. This blog steps outside that model and look at some work done in the world of Feldenkrais and reported in the Journal of the American physical therapy association. This is a study of hamstring lengthening using Feldenkais based awareness through movement exercises.
How does it work
My understanding is that the changes in hamstring length reported are due to changes made via the nervous system. The amount of actual stretch during these classes are quite minimal. What is interesting is that a lot of the movements in these classes are initiated via the pelvis ie proximal attachment of hamstrings at ishial tuberosities. This will involve activation of the core as the prime mover in movement pattern, leading to a secondary lengthening of the hamstrings as part of a functional movement.
An mp3 recording of the original hamstring class can be found at Open ATM recordings under Jim Steven,s hamstring lessons. It is well worth listening to and following the class (can be done at home).
