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Sources & Citations

Last updated: May 28, 2026

Body Fix stretch and pain-relief recommendations are informed by peer-reviewed research and guidance from major health authorities. Below are the sources referenced in the app, organized by body area and topic.

On this page

  • General stretching
  • Lower back
  • Neck & upper back
  • Shoulders & chest
  • Hips & hip flexors
  • Glutes
  • Hamstrings
  • Quads
  • Calves & ankles
  • Sciatica
  • Piriformis syndrome
  • Knee pain
  • Forearms & wrists
  • Core
  • Triceps & biceps
  • Posture & thoracic mobility
  • IT band
  • Plantar fasciitis
  • Flexibility & range of motion
  • Medical disclaimer

General stretching

Applies to all stretches in the app.

  • WebMD — How to stretch (ACSM-aligned guidance on hold durations, frequency, static vs. dynamic stretching)
  • Harvard Health — The importance of stretching
  • Harvard Health — Stretching: the new mobility protection
  • Mayo Clinic — Stretching: focus on flexibility
  • PubMed — Systematic review: stretching reduces musculoskeletal pain (2025)
  • Sports Medicine Open — Systematic review: acute stretching effects on range of motion (2023)
  • PubMed — Mechanisms behind ROM improvements from static stretching (2025)

Lower back

Related stretches include cat-cow, pelvic tilt, knee-to-chest, child's pose, supine spinal twist, cobra, kneeling hip flexor, and lower-back series stretches.

  • Harvard Health — Relieve low back pain with stretching
  • Harvard Health — Stretching and strengthening for lower back pain
  • Mayo Clinic — Back exercises in 15 minutes a day
  • Mayo Clinic Press — How to relieve back pain at home
  • PMC — Meta-analysis: stretching effects on spinal and lumbopelvic posture (2024)

Neck & upper back

Related stretches include chin tuck, neck side tilt, neck rotation, upper trapezius, levator scapulae, SCM, thread the needle, open book, thoracic extension, and wall angels.

  • NHS Musculoskeletal Matters — Neck pain exercises
  • NHS Cambridge University Hospitals — Neck exercises and advice
  • NHS Oxford Health — Neck exercises (PDF)
  • PMC — Systematic review: flexibility training and chronic pain (2025)

Shoulders & chest

Related stretches include cross-body shoulder, sleeper stretch, doorway pec/shoulder stretches, wall angels, and shoulder pendulum.

  • Harvard Health — Shoulder and hip pain: stretching tight tissues
  • PMC — Chronic stretching reduces musculoskeletal pain (2025)
  • Mayo Clinic — Stretching guide (shoulder and chest)

Hips & hip flexors

Related stretches include butterfly, kneeling hip flexor, low lunge, pigeon, 90/90 hip, lizard pose, couch stretch, and standing hip circles.

  • Harvard Health — Hip flexor stretches for people who sit all day
  • Harvard Health — 3 at-home stretches for hip and buttock pain
  • Harvard Health — Hip bursitis and stretching

Glutes

Related stretches include figure-four (supine and seated), glute hug, lateral glute stretch, and supine glute stretch.

  • Harvard Health — 3 at-home stretches to release hip and buttock pain
  • Harvard Health — Sciatica: gentle stretches

Hamstrings

Related stretches include supine strap, seated, standing fold, and wall hamstring stretches.

  • PMC — Systematic review: hamstring flexibility via static and PNF stretching (2023)
  • Harvard Health — Stretching and strengthening for lower back (includes hamstrings)

Quads

Related stretches include standing, side-lying, prone, and knee-health quad stretches.

  • Mayo Clinic — Quad stretch technique
  • Harvard Health — Importance of stretching lower extremities

Calves & ankles

Related stretches include wall calf, stair drop, soleus, downward dog calf pedal, and ankle mobility drills.

  • Mayo Clinic — Calf stretch technique and safety
  • Harvard Health — Calf and lower leg stretching for mobility

Sciatica

Related stretches include figure-four, supine twist, pigeon, hamstring strap, child's pose, butterfly, and pelvic tilt.

  • Harvard Health — Sciatica: how stretching relieves sciatic nerve pressure

Piriformis syndrome

Related stretches include figure-four, pigeon, supine glute, spinal twist, butterfly, and knee-to-chest.

  • Harvard Health — Piriformis syndrome: stretching as primary treatment
  • Harvard Health — 3 at-home stretches for hip and buttock pain

Knee pain

Related stretches include quad and calf stretches, hamstring wall stretch, heel slides, terminal extension, and short-arc quad work.

  • PubMed — Meta-analysis: stretching for knee osteoarthritis pain (2022)
  • Mayo Clinic — Quad, calf, and knee-area stretch technique

Forearms & wrists

Related stretches include wrist flexor/extensor, prayer hands, forearm wall stretch, and tendon glides.

  • Mayo Clinic — Stretching for wrist and forearm health
  • PMC — Chronic stretching reduces musculoskeletal pain (forearm/wrist)

Core

Related exercises include bird dog, pelvic tilt, and dead bug hold.

  • Mayo Clinic — Back exercises including core stabilisation
  • Harvard Health — Lower back pain prevention via core exercises

Triceps & biceps

Related stretches include overhead tricep, cross-body reach, towel tricep, and biceps wall/seated stretches.

  • Mayo Clinic — Upper body stretch technique and safety
  • PMC — Chronic stretching reduces musculoskeletal pain across body regions

Posture correction & thoracic mobility

Related stretches include thoracic extension, open book, chin tuck, wall angels, shoulder blade pinch, and cat-cow.

  • PMC — Meta-analysis: stretching effects on thoracic kyphosis and pelvic tilt (2024)
  • NHS — Movement guidance for neck and upper back

IT band

Related stretches include IT band crossover, pigeon, figure-four, hamstring strap, and soleus work.

  • Harvard Health — IT band stretching as first-line treatment for hip pain

Plantar fasciitis

Related stretches include calf wall/stair, soleus, hamstring stretches, glute hug, and plantar fascia toe stretch.

  • Mayo Clinic — Calf and foot stretching technique
  • PMC — Chronic stretching reduces musculoskeletal pain

Flexibility progression & range of motion

Applies to difficulty levels, hold durations, and series progressions throughout the app.

  • PubMed — Mechanisms of ROM improvement from static stretching (2025)
  • PMC — Flexibility training and functional ability (ACSM guidelines)
  • Sports Medicine Open — Systematic review of stretching techniques on ROM (2023)

Medical disclaimer

Body Fix: Stretch & Pain Relief is intended for general wellness and flexibility purposes only. The stretches and routines in this app are not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you have a medical condition, injury, or chronic pain, consult a qualified healthcare professional before beginning any exercise programme. Stop any exercise that causes pain.

Questions about these sources? Contact us at hello@getbodyfix.com.

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Body Fix is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before beginning any exercise program, especially if you are experiencing pain or have a medical condition.

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