Thanks to a new software called Viewyourreaders from Google, I can see that you’re sitting down as you read this. Ok, I’m just kidding, but it is safe to assume that you are sitting down…and that’s a problem for your body – here’s why:
When you’re sitting, your hip flexor muscles are in a shortened position. The longer they are in a shortened position (sitting, driving, etc.), the more likely they are to STAY that way! As a chiropractor I can tell you with certainty that tight (shortened) hip flexors are the cause for LOTS of back and hip pain, but unfortunately this often goes unrecognized. Even most well-intentioned doctors don’t think about the impact that a tight iliopsoas* can have on the musculoskeletal system.
I’ve written a great article on the topic of tight hips and its most common result, Lower Crossed Syndrome. The article will help you figure out whether or not you have Lower Crossed Syndrome and, if you do, how to fix it.
Regardless of your LCS status, there’s one stretch that absolutely everyone needs to do – the lunging hip flexor stretch. Of course I’m going to show you an advanced way to do it, cause that’s just how we do it around here. 
In addition to lunging forward to stretch your hip on your trailing leg, also lean away from the side of your trailing leg and towards the side of the leg that’s forward. This accentuates the stretch on the psoas major**, making for a complete hip flexor stretch.
Lunge & Lean Hip Flexor Stretch
If you currently don’t have any symptoms associated with tight anterior hips, then doing this stretch twice per day will probably keep your hips happy.
But if you do have tight hips already, then I would recommend stretching your hips once per waking hour. Yes, I said once per hour! That may seem like a lot, but think about it this way: if you stretch each hip twice for 30 seconds, then each hip is still only lengthened one minute out of every 60. A very reasonable amount, indeed, if you have a job that requires sitting at a desk and/or driving.
Here’s to happy, healthy hips!
Dr Clay
* The primary hip flexor which is made up of the iliacus, the psoas major, and the psoas minor
** One of the muscles comprising the primary hip flexor, the iliopsoas.
Dr. Clay,
2 Questions:
1) In addition to the version leaning away from the side with the trailing leg, would you also suggest doing a version rotating away from that side, as well?
2) Have you ever heard of a stretching system referred to as ELDOA/LOADS (Etirements Longitunaux avec Decoaptation Osteo-Articulaire, or in English, Longitudinal Osteo Articular Decoaptation Stretching), which was developed by the osteopath Guy Voyer?
Supposedly this form of stretching helps decompress the entire spine and normalize alignment of not only the lumbar vertebrae but also the cervical vertebrae. I don’t have any direct experience, so I wanted to get your thoughts, since you happen to be in a field that would give you firsthand knowledge of the potential (or lack there of) for something in terms of its impact on the spine and its function.