Tight lateral hip? Try this stretch

Date: 
Monday, April 23, 2018 - 12:30
pretzel stretch

Jennifer Salter, MSW, RSW, ACE-MES, ACE-PT, ACE-HC is a registered social worker, health coach, psychotherapist, medical exercise specialist, and personal trainer.  I specialize in working with clients who have chronic pain, medical issues, rehab needs, and/or are looking for a health coach to help nagivate lifestyle/behavior change.  

I help my clients define what their goals are. Goals are related to physical wellness, mental health, stress management, sleep problems, functionality in activities of daily living, and chronic pain/pain management. I will help you feel better!

Using coaching techniques, counselling/psychotherapy strategies, and a wealth of knowledge, I help move you where you find yourself in the present, to where you wish to be in the future. Over the past 26 years, I have created a unique practice that combines registered social work, psychotherapy, health coaching, medical exercise, rehabilitation, and personal training. I am fascinated by the intersection of physical and mental health, and have been a pioneer in bridging the gap between these two realms. I enable my clients to achieve successes they did not think possible. Sessions happen virtually via Zoom, and I work with clients from Ontario, elsewhere in Canada and the US.


If you find that the outside of your hip is tight, try this stretch.  The gluteus medius and minimus muscles are small muscles on the outside of the hip, which are responsible for moving the leg away from the midline of the body, and as well for stabilizing the hip when standing, especially on one foot.  As well, these important muscles assist in swinging the leg forward when walking.  They can get very tight, and this stretch, which I call the "pretzel" stretch, is a great one for helping to release tension in this area.  Always stretch muscles when they are warm, ideally after a warm bath or shower.  If you are unable to do this, then at least take care to stretch when it is room temperature.  Now that spring seems to be here (finally), you probably won't have to worry about coming in from the cold.  Thank goodness!

As always, check with your doctor before beginning an exercise program.  Have a great day, and happy stretching.