Home
Health Encyclopedia
Print
Search Clinical Content Search Patient Health Library
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z A-Z Listings

Hip External Rotation (Flexibility)

These instructions are for the right hip. Switch sides for your left hip.

  1. Lie on your back on the floor. Keep your knees bent and feet flat on the floor. Don’t press your neck or lower back to the floor.

  2. Rest your right ankle on your left knee.

  3. Place a towel around the back of your left thigh. Pull on the ends of the towel to pull your left knee toward your chest. Feel the stretch in your buttocks. You can also perform this exercise with locking your fingers behind your thigh instead of using a towel.

  4. Hold for 30 to 60 seconds. Lower your leg back down.

  5. Repeat 2 to 3 times, or as instructed.

  6. Switch legs and repeat. 

  7. Do this 3 times a day, or as instructed.

Woman lying on back with one leg crossed and ankle resting on opposite knee, which has towel placed around thigh. Woman is using towel to pull legs toward chest.

Online Medical Reviewer: Daphne Pierce-Smith RN MSN
Online Medical Reviewer: Elizabeth Oswald PT DPT
Online Medical Reviewer: Rajadurai Samnishanth Researcher
Date Last Reviewed: 9/1/2024
© 2000-2025 The StayWell Company, LLC. All rights reserved. This information is not intended as a substitute for professional medical care. Always follow your healthcare professional's instructions.
Powered by Krames by WebMD Ignite
Copyright © The StayWell Company, LLC. except where otherwise noted.

These resources and their content are provided by a third party for informational purposes and do not necessarily reflect the values and positions of Ascension, its ministries, or its subsidiaries.

About StayWell | Terms of Use | Privacy Policy | Disclaimer

The Services may integrate with Third-Party Apps or contain third-party content or provide links to third-party websites. For example, the Services may integrate with Third-Party App providers to provide you with information. You authorize Ascension to transmit information about You to and receive information about You from applicable third parties.
You agree that Ascension is not responsible for Third-Party Apps, third-party content or third-party websites, and does not make any endorsements, representations or warranties regarding the same. Your use thereof is at Your own risk and subject to the third party’s terms and conditions, as applicable. By using a Third-Party App or third-party content or websites, You agree to the applicable third party’s terms and conditions, even if Ascension does not present them to You at the time of Your use.