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Hamstring stretch in doorway


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Picture of the hamstring stretch in a doorway

  • Lie on your back in a doorway, with one leg through the open door.
  • Slide your leg up the wall to straighten your knee. You should feel a gentle stretch down the back of your leg. Hold the stretch for at least 15 to 30 seconds.
    • Do not arch your back.
    • Do not bend either knee.
    • Keep one heel touching the floor and the other heel touching the wall. Do not point your toes.
  • Repeat with your other leg.
  • Do 2 to 4 times for each leg.

If you do not have a place to do this exercise in a doorway, there is another way to do it:

  • Lie on your back and bend the knee of the leg you want to stretch.
  • Loop a towel under the ball and toes of that foot, and hold the ends of the towel in your hands.
  • Straighten your knee and slowly pull back on the towel. You should feel a gentle stretch down the back of your leg. Hold the stretch for at least 15 to 30 seconds.
  • Repeat with your other leg.
  • Do 2 to 4 times for each leg.

Last Updated: February 6, 2008
Medical Review:
William M. Green, MD - Emergency Medicine

Robert B. Keller, MD - Orthopedics


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