I'd like to share a stretch exercise that has helped me relieve pain and stiffness after herniated dics in lower back. Note that this has worked some time after the injury, when the disc is not as painful, but you still feel joints being stuck and pulling on muscles. I lie on the floor on a mat or even surface and position my legs like a scissors (you can stretch to the extent the you feel comfortable but still feel some pressure) and then stretch my arms behind my head creating a pull away from the hip joints, which then crack and release the stiffness. I do it several times a day, morning and evening, especially after sitting for extended periods of time and it has helped me better than physical therapy. It's kind of like cracking your fingers but on larger joints.
Thanks for this simple exercise. I just did it (I have minor back aches this morning), and I felt both hips pop, just like when I'm at the chiropractor. I stretched back and forth on my back, from side to side, stretching one leg and then the other with my arms over my head. It seems to help!
