Partner Stretching

ITB Stretch

Support the leg at the shin and thigh and pull the leg across the body, not pulling from the ankle. Prevent the hip from rolling up off the table when crossing the leg by stabilizing the hip with your hand. Hold for 30 seconds. After 30 seconds, have the patient take a deep breath, and on the exhale, the partner is to push a little farther into the stretch. Hold for another 30 seconds. After 30 seconds, have the patient take a deep breath, and on the exhale, the partner is to push a little farther into the stretch. Hold for a final 30 seconds. Repeat on the opposite leg.

Side-lying ITB Stretch

Have the patient lie on their side while you stand or kneel behind them. Stabilize their hip with one hand. With the other hand grasp near the knee and pull the leg back into extension. Apply downward pressure on the thigh, pushing the knee toward the table or floor. DO NOT allow the hip to roll back. DO NOT allow the leg to rotate inward. Keep the hip and knee aligned as shown in the picture. The patient should feel a stretch on the outside of the thigh. Hold for 30 seconds. After 30 seconds, have the patient take a deep breath, and on the exhale, the partner is to push a little farther into the stretch. Hold for another 30 seconds. After 30 seconds, have the patient take a deep breath, and on the exhale,the partner is to push a little farther into the stretch. Hold for a final 30 seconds. Repeat on the opposite leg.

Hamstring Stretch

Support the leg by placing it on the partners shoulder. The partner should use their hand and place it above, not on, the knee cap to keep the leg straight. Hold for 30 seconds. After 30 seconds, have the patient take a deep breath, and on the exhale, the partner is to push the leg farther into the stretch toward the patients head, while keeping the leg straight. Hold for another 30 seconds. After 30 seconds, have the patient take a deep breath, and on the exhale, the partner is to push a little farther into the stretch. Hold for a final 30 seconds. Repeat on the opposite leg.

Hip Flexor Stretch

Lie on a bench with one leg hanging over the edge and pull your other knee up to your chest. Have a partner press downward on the thigh of the leg that is hanging downward. Hold for seconds. After 30 seconds, have the patient take a deep breath. On the exhale, push down, just slightly, on the thigh while also pushing the opposite leg closer to the patient’s chest. Hold for another 30 seconds.