Should twisting stretches of the spine be avoided?

Yes, twisting stretches of the spine should be avoided. Twisting your spine can put pressure on the discs and ligaments found in between each vertebrae. This will cause the discs to bulge or slip, which can lead to lower back problems such as herniated discs or sciatica. Additionally, overstretching of any kind can lead to increased strain on muscles and ligaments and an increased risk of developing chronic pain issues in these areas.

Twists are not necessary for optimal spinal health, although exercises such as core strengthening can help you maintain flexibility within acceptable ranges. Instead, focus on gentle stretches that do not involve extremely deep bending such as yoga poses like Bridge Pose (Setu Bandhasana) , Cat Cow (Marjaryasana-Bitilasana) , Child's Pose (Balasana) , Cobra Pose ( Bhujangasana ) . Also include exercise that involves low-impact activities such as walking, swimming or biking which use the joints but do not place too much strain or stretch them beyond an acceptable range.