Pain Worse with Arching Back

The Williams Flexion Approach

The Williams flexion exercises were developed by Dr. Paul Williams, an American orthopedic surgeon.

The Basic Idea

When the lower back (lumbar spine) curves too far backward, several problems can occur:

• The facet joints at the back of the spine get compressed
• The nerve passageways (spinal canal and neural foramina — the small openings where nerves exit the spine) narrow
• The ligaments (tough bands connecting bone to bone) are placed under strain

Williams flexion exercises use gentle forward-rounding movements to relieve this compression and reduce pain.