To stretch or not to stretch? Should you do it before or after exercise? Does it prevent or heal injuries? Stretching is always a hot topic. However, while it’s effective in improving flexibility, its usefulness in reducing pain is being questioned. Back pain is one of the most prevalent health conditions in our society. Up to 80 percent of the population may suffer from it at least once in their lifetime. Many sufferers don’t improve after treatment. What makes treatments work or not? Answering this question could improve the quality of life of millions of people. Health care professionals, including physiotherapists, often prescribe exercises, such as stretching, to reduce pain. It has long been accepted that stretching provides pain relief by increasing range of motion and decreasing muscle tone or tension, which gives the impression that there is less pain. However, this perceived pain relief is rarely found to be …