Hip Issues – Alexander Method of SMR

Wall Straddle

Wstr 1b IMG 0340

23) Wall Straddle, click here.

This is likely to be the most productive adductor stretch you ever perform. When practiced correctly many people can see dramatic improvements in abduction of the hip in a fairly short period of time. There is one caveat: be sure you use your arms to bring your legs together following this stretch. Too many people are too aggressive when they exit a passive (static) stretch, and it is the aggressive exit that negatively impacts their athletic performance.

If you lengthen your muscles beyond their functional capacity to lift your own limbs (which this particular stretch can do to your Adductors), and then you lift your limbs immediately to get back to a normal position, you can injure the very muscles you just stretched. Remember the Stretch Reflex and learn how to feel your muscles "let go." When they do let go, assist them when exiting the stretch.

Video coming soon.

Iliopsoas Roll

Use this SMR exercise AFTER the Quads Roll.

This SMR exercise is a variation of the Psoas Press and Iliacus Press techniques to address the Psoas muscle and Iliacus in the Hip Flexors in the front of your hips & core. You may find this exercise easier.

If the Psoas Press or Iliacus Press are too intense to work with then practice the Iliopsoas Roll to more gently work out the "junk" in the front of your hips. It may take a month or two to help your muscles along to become healthy enough to handle the other two techniques (which are the preferred deep tissue SMR techniques for the iliopsoas group).

If you have tightness or discomfort of the hip, knee, or lower back, then this exercise is likely to help.

For written instructions, click here to download a printable PDF of the Iliopsoas Roll

Be sure to post your questions and comments below. We want to provide the best instruction to help you recover from your workouts.

Click here to return to all of the Fundamental SMR Techniques

**All information is provided for educational purposes only. You should consult your doctor before attempting any exercises you read on this page or any page on this website.**

Iliacus Press

Use this SMR exercise to address the deepest muscle in the front of your hips AFTER doing the Quads Roll and the Psoas Press.

In addition using this technique to assist with issues in the front of your hips, if you have SI joint issues you should use this exercise to work out those deep knots in the muscles that attach in the FRONT that have a large influence on the function of the muscles in the BACK. If you have SI joint issues be sure you are practicing the Iliacus Press. The Iliacus muscle is part of the Iliopsoas Group, the most influential hip flexors in your body. If they are shot, nothing on the back of your body will work properly.

For written instructions, click here to download a printable PDF of the Iliacus Press

Downloadable video instructions coming soon!

Click here to return to all of the SMR Techniques

Be sure to post your questions and comments below. We want to provide the best instruction to help you recover from your workouts.

**All information is provided for educational purposes only. You should consult your doctor before attempting any exercises you read on this page or any page on this website.**

Piriformis Roll

Use this SMR exercise to address the muscles in the back of your hips.

This SMR exercise is a variation of the Piriformis Press technique to address the lateral rotators of the hip. You may find this exercise easier.

If the Piriformis Press is too intense to work with, then practice the Piriformis Roll to more gently work out the "junk" in your buns. It may take a month or two to help your muscles along to become healthy enough to handle the Secondary technique (which is the preferred standard SMR technique for the piriformis).

You probably won't notice knots in your buns when you are just walking around, but you may have a deep ache in one or more of the other muscles "back there." The gluteus maximus (and the other posterior hip muscles) is involved in any movement using the hips. When parts of it lock up, proper hip function is compromised. You will notice a 'lightness' with body movements if you release any knots in your glutes.

For written instructions, click here to download a printable PDF of the Piriformis Roll

Be sure to post your questions and comments below. We want to provide the best instruction to help you recover from your workouts.

Click here to return to all of the Fundamental SMR Techniques

**All information is provided for educational purposes only. You should consult your doctor before attempting any exercises you read on this page or any page on this website.**

The Cricket

adds-roll-2a--gallery — 22nd Extended -- The Cricket

Use this SMR exercise AFTER the Quads Roll.

This SMR exercise is a variation of the Adductors Roll movement to address all of the muscle mass along the insides of your thighs. You may find this exercise easier.

If the Adductors Roll is too intense to work with, then practice the Cricket to more gently work out the "junk" in your inner thighs. It may take a month or two to help your muscles along to become healthy enough to handle the second Primary technique (which is the preferred standard SMR technique for the adductors).

If you have tightness or discomfort of the hip or the inside of your knees, then this exercise is likely to help.

For written instructions, click here.

(Video coming soon!)

Click here to see the rest of the SMR Techniques.

Hamstrings Roll

hams-roll-1b--gallery — 3rd Secondary -- Hamstrings Roll

Use this SMR exercise AFTER the Quads Roll, and the Adductors Roll.

This SMR exercise is a less effective alternative to the Hamstrings Press and is used to address the less deep knots in your hamstrings along the back of your thigh.

If you have tightness or discomfort of the knee, deep dull aches in the lower leg, or general hamstring issues, then this exercise is likely to help.

For written instructions, click here to download a printable PDF of the Hamstrings Roll

Be sure to post your questions and comments below. We want to provide the best instruction to help you recover from your workouts.

Click here to return to all of the Fundamental SMR Techniques

**All information is provided for educational purposes only. You should consult your doctor before attempting any exercises you read on this page or any page on this website.**

Fixing Ryan Moody’s Tight Hip

In addition to being a talented and engaging presenter of the Explosive WOD Seminars, Ryan Moody is a heck of a jumper:

A good friend of his heard him speaking of a nagging hip issue and brought him to come visit us at the Rumble Roller booth at the CrossFit Games. After spending about 20 minutes with him and giving him some SMR "homework" to do each day, he got some rather dramatic results in only 2 days!

Ryan-Moody-comparison — Ryan's "lagging leg" before our help and after only 20-30 minutes of SMR homework

Gluteus Minimus

Pictured above is the gluteus minimus muscle. It primarily works to extend (open) the hip. However, it has a small portion of muscle fibers that cross in front of the hip, so it can work as a weak hip flexor, too. If this muscle is overly tight then it is EXTREMELY LIKELY that you need to address the rectus femoris and the psoas (in that order).

The muscles are layered, showing how some of the muscles are covered by the others. All of the muscles are see-through so that you can appreciate the location and size of each muscle relative to the others. You can access individual muscle detail for all the other muscles in the body with our Coach membership.

Individual hip, lower back & thigh muscles you might be interested in: (any inactive links will be live soon)

Click here for a list of all the muscles.

Muscle that crosses the hip/lower back joint and crosses the hip/thigh joint (attaches to the spine and the femur)

Psoas

Muscles that attach to the hip and the spine and/or ribs

Muscles that attach to the hip and the thigh bone (femur)

Good luck working out those tight knots.

If you have any questions, please post a comment. We try to respond within 24 hours.

We're here to help you get more out of your training!

Gluteus Medius

Pictured above is the gluteus medius muscle. It primarily works to extend (open) the hip, and is especially involved in stabilizing the hip when standing on one leg. It is very likely that this muscle will need stretching and SMR attention, so address it often.

The muscles are layered, showing how some of the muscles are covered by the others. All of the muscles are see-through so that you can appreciate the location and size of each muscle relative to the others.

Individual hip, lower back & thigh muscles you might be interested in: (any inactive links will be live soon)

Click here for a list of all the muscles.

Muscle that crosses the hip/lower back joint and crosses the hip/thigh joint (attaches to the spine and the femur)

Psoas

Muscles that attach to the hip and the spine and/or ribs

Muscles that attach to the hip and the thigh bone (femur)

Good luck working out those tight knots.

If you have any questions, please post a comment. We try to respond within 24 hours.

We're here to help you get more out of your training!

Gluteus Maximus

Pictured above is the gluteus maximus muscle. It primarily works to extend (open) the hip. It is rare that this muscle will need SMR attention, but regular stretching is strongly suggested for the glutes and the hamstrings.

The muscles are layered, showing how some of the muscles are covered by the others. All of the muscles are see-through so that you can appreciate the location and size of each muscle relative to the others. You can access individual muscle detail for all the other muscles in the body with our Coach membership.

Individual hip, lower back & thigh muscles you might be interested in: (any inactive links will be live soon)

Click here for a list of all the muscles.

Muscle that crosses the hip/lower back joint and crosses the hip/thigh joint (attaches to the spine and the femur)

Psoas

Muscles that attach to the hip and the spine and/or ribs

Muscles that attach to the hip and the thigh bone (femur)

Good luck working out those tight knots.

If you have any questions, please post a comment. We try to respond within 24 hours.

We're here to help you get more out of your training!