ABSOLUTE ASCENDANCY

Commencing operation . . .

Overview

I suffered from chronic lower back pain for over half a year in 2018. I tried all manner of stretches, visited sports therapists and osteopaths, but nothing worked. Eventually, I turned to chiropractic treatment, which has since set me straight. I also saw a physiotherapist who recommended specific exercises to manage the condition.

Leg Swings

One of the recommended exercises is known as a leg swing. It is similar to throwing a kick, but you keep the knee straightened throughout the motion. You can do forward, sideways, and backward leg swings, they are all excellent exercises to work your mobility and stabiliser muscles. A great way of supporting your back is to strengthen the muscles which stabilise your body during movement. The glutes are a prime example, and one prevalent cause of back pain is having weak glutes.

To begin with, you can hold onto support while performing leg swings. As you progress, you should be fit to do the leg swings, maintaining balance without any supportive aid. It helps to swing your arms to counterbalance the motion from your leg movements. Make sure to bend your supporting knee slightly as well, do not keep it locked tight. The photo above is quite old, but it demonstrates the leg swing nicely.

Conclusion

Nowadays, I do ten forward, sideways, and backward leg swings on each leg for a total of sixty leg swings each day. As a martial artist, leg swings help prepare my body for the high kicks that lie ahead for each class. The leg swing has become a firm staple in my warm-up routine, and I encourage you to include them in your warm-ups as well!

Mission complete – Overlord Drakow signing out.