What are some effective stretching exercises for back pain?

Thanks for posting your question – it’s a really interesting one and something I am sure that is shared by many others. As Dr Sean has mentioned, flat feet are common, but they should not necessarily be regarded as a “problem” per se. If you look at most Asian patients, low arches are the norm. There is often a line of thought that flat feet are the root of all pain and injuries. In fact, pain can be attributed to different factors such as: Your chosen activity Your training load Overall strength Whether any equipment you are using is appropriate for you.

I am sorry to hear about your back pain. There can be many causes of back pain, from discs and nerves, to joints and bones in the back. Sometimes it can be difficult to differentiate between one problem and another based on one symptom alone. Nevertheless, when patients complain of pain at night, I am always concerned about issues with the bones and joints, particularly as lying down tends to be the most comfortable position for people with disc, nerve and muscle related back pains. In your case, I would certainly recommend an assessment by a primary care or Sports/MSK physician.