Question
Hi William,
         It had been almost 1 and half year I'm suffering from back pain which is caused by the overdeveloped hipflexors  which were built performing all the abs exercises incorrectly.
I stretch them regularly but these muscles tend to shorten so stretching is of no use. Can you please help and tell me how to deal with the overdeveloped hip flexors and solve my back pain and posture problem.
           PLEASE HELP!

Thanks

Omar

P.S: Someone told me to perform deadlifts to deal with hip flexors problem. Is it true?  

Answer
I am curious as to how you are stretching your hip flexors.  The technique involved may answer the question.  However, like most things, this is a matter of balance.  I usually find that low back pain is accompainied, and often caused by shortened hamstrings, psoas (hip flexors) and calves.  By balancing these muscles with the opposite side, i.e. streteching these and strengthening the opposites, the patient has a good response.

The type of stretch is also important.  I use two types in particular.  The Active Isolated Stretch is done for two seconds at a time, thus avoiding the myotactic reflex that fights the stretch.  The Wharton Stretch Book is a good instruction for this.  The other stretch that I use is a PNF, strain, counter-strain type stretch.  This is used to reset the point that your nerves inhibit the muscle.  By combining these two, I can usually turn my amateur athletes into professionals in about a six week time frame--at least as far as flexibility will take them.  Some results are usually fairly immediate, but the time to peak ability is about six weeks.

In the event that these do not do the trick, I look for myofacial restrictions due to scar tissue, in which case a release using a percussor or a skilled therapist will be in order.  My last tool of release is the cold laser, which can get some phenominal results---and if you had one of these, I would use it first.

Good luck.

Dr. P