Wall Stretch for the Hamstrings (Neural Tension Self Mobilization)

The patient is standing with the feet approximately hip width apart and places both hands against the wall with the hands shoulder width apart.
Have the patient bend their knees but have them keep their heels flat on the floor. The patient is then instructed to lift their sit bones up and back, toward the ceiling to achieve a neutral spine while lengthening the back of the leg.
Instruct the patient to push their hands against the wall to assist in elongating the thoracic spine.
Instruct the patient to straighten their elbows and attempt to elongate the spine, dropping the chest towards the floor.
Finally, have the patient straighten their knees while maintaining a neutral lumbar spine as they try to lift the sit bones towards the ceiling.
They straighten and bend their knees on/off approximately 10-12 times. They should not feel pain in the low back with this stretch.
Do not allow the patient to hyperextend the knees or drop their head during the stretch.
You may have to instruct the patient to begin this exercise with their hands much higher up the wall if they are not able to achieve and maintain a neutral lumbar spine while extending the knees.
As their flexibility improves the patient can slowly lower the placement of their hands on the wall.
The goal is for the patient’s hands to be placed on the wall at the same height as the hips, maintaining a neutral lumbar spine while fully straightening both knees.