People Who Sit All Day Have Trouble With Hips?

MissJanet55

My yoga teacher talks about this a lot. He recommends learning to squat the way you often see people in Asian countries squatting. Generally when we try to do this we fall over backwards and it takes a lot of effort, but when your hips are open it's a restful position. You can learn to do this with your back againsts the wall - just lower yourself until your bum is an inch or two above the ground. Stay. Repeat. Do every day.

After my trip from Thailand, I tried to do this for a while. I couldn't figure out how they would just sit there like that. Geez. So uncomfortable. LOL.

I know, right? But we can learn to do it. It's very easy on the back as well.

Kind of explains the dreaded Asian toilet.

NCchar130

I've never actually heard this before, but that may explain something. I've had a weird pain in my hip for about a week and a half now. I'm a cubicle dweller by day and attempting to train for a 5K by night...

Interesting - I too am a "cubicle dweller by day and attempting to train for a 5K by night." I've had severe pain in my left hip for 3 weeks now and tightness around my upper thigh like someone is squeezing it. Went to the orthopedist about 2 hours ago hoping I hadn't reinjured something in my lower back. (I had back surgery 2 1/2 years ago with some permanent nerve damage to my left leg). He said I have hip bursitis brought on by iliotibial band tendonitis. I start physical therapy next week! I hadn't even thought to ask how sitting all day long might have contributed to any of this.

neverstray

I've never actually heard this before, but that may explain something. I've had a weird pain in my hip for about a week and a half now. I'm a cubicle dweller by day and attempting to train for a 5K by night...

Interesting - I too am a "cubicle dweller by day and attempting to train for a 5K by night." I've had severe pain in my left hip for 3 weeks now and tightness around my upper thigh like someone is squeezing it. Went to the orthopedist about 2 hours ago hoping I hadn't reinjured something in my lower back. (I had back surgery 2 1/2 years ago with some permanent nerve damage to my left leg). He said I have hip bursitis brought on by iliotibial band tendonitis. I start physical therapy next week! I hadn't even thought to ask how sitting all day long might have contributed to any of this.

I( wa going to the doctor too. they wanted me to do all kinds of goofy stuff. I just refused because it didn't sound right to me. Eventually, by accident, I was on a foam roller, and I hit a spot, and it sent a shockwave through my body, and I was like, that's it. Its extreme tension. So, I just roll and stretch, and I'm almost cured. Ugh! All those uneccessary medical bills and tests.

Hendrix7

Do the stretches in this video a few times a week and you will be good to go, I do them before a squat session.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=2NK8iej-kUM

also see mobilitywod

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JBHzXF-mVjY

NCchar130

I( wa going to the doctor too. they wanted me to do all kinds of goofy stuff. I just refused because it didn't sound right to me. Eventually, by accident, I was on a foam roller, and I hit a spot, and it sent a shockwave through my body, and I was like, that's it. Its extreme tension. So, I just roll and stretch, and I'm almost cured. Ugh! All those uneccessary medical bills and tests.

I've been using a tennis ball on certain areas but I think I really need to get a foam roller already.

KenosFeoh

Research has shown in recent years that sitting for more than 3 hours per day, whether or not you exercise, has serious metabolic consequences that will shorten your life AND negatively impact your quality of life. It's worse for your overall health than smoking 1 pack of cigarettes per day.

IowaJen1979

Ditto! My right hip has been bothering me for months. It's good to hear that stretching can help this. I have been trying to get into the habit of stretching every night. I need to be more consistent with this! A few years ago I had to have physical therapy for my neck because I was witting with my shoulders hunched over. Ugh! I walk or bike to and from work so I hope this helps to counteract the ill effects!

ryry_

This is kind of crazy how many people have this same problem. A couple months back when I was still being a sloth, I woke up with a pain in my left hip. I walked for a limp for a while. It eventually subside, but when i started getting active it would hurt really bad after about 20 minutes of walking or running where I would have to stop.

I started doing box squats and that seems to have made the pain subside to where I can now run again without pain, even though I can still feel it. Now that I think of it, getting back into excercise has helped with three different pain problems (hip pain, chostochondritis and carpal tunnel).

ALSO, for any guys that keep your wallet in your back pocket, take it out before out before you sit down. Couple years ago I got what was called "Wallet Sciatica". Basically your wallet pinches a nerve that caused shooting pain up my lower back and down my leg. not fun. It was from sitting on my wallet for long periods of time.

bigbawface

I think the problem could be not just strectching hip flexors but underactive glutes too from sitting about. I started running again and came a cropper with my hip - lots of work with a physio, stretching, foam rollers and tennis balls later this eased off the pain but the most important thing she told me was to work on my core and building up my glutes to support the hip and core properly. i've done these exercises religously for months and can now run up to 8 miles with no pain - but I still religously stretch and do my core and glute exercises to this day! Physio also recommended yoga (or pilates) which has been fantastic.

Rosannep1

I have hip and side pain and started going to the chiropractor He says I have a pinched nerve, to ice the lower back and sides and take Aleve. I've been doing some yoga stretches as well. It seems to be helping. I recently started walking/jogging and after a couple miles I could barely raise my left leg out in front of me. At night I could not even sleep on my side without being in tremendous pain. It does seem to be getting better though by doing some of the above. Hope this helps!

bids55

Excellent posts and some great advice. Got this hip problem big time!

bdamaster60

Aggravated pelvic forward tilt and thoracic kyphosis. These are the typical conditions where people with desk jobs have due to weak scapular abductors and lombar arrectors.

barbaramitchell101

I have had a desk job or the last 22years..(not one but several over that period)..before thatI spent 3 years in coledge,mostly at a desk...I have not had many issues, but when I do get up...I feel very stiff..I aso have not been exercising...I guss maybe I need to take heed and start doing this..thanks for the info...

neverstray

Aggravated pelvic forward tilt and thoracic kyphosis. These are the typical conditions where people with desk jobs have due to weak scapular abductors and lombar arrectors.

Show off.

Nataliaho

All true, the good news is that the best thing to help it, is just to get strong. I used to have terrible problems with my hips, but after the last few years of strength training it hardly flares up any more. I never have the flexibility issues that can go along with it as I am hyper-mobile. My husband who is also a desk worker had tonnes of trouble getting his squat to depth. He's done alot of work, particurly box squats and heaps of mobility on the foam roller. It's served the dual purpose of getting his squat to depth and minimising the pain from sitting...

bodiva88

I sit all day at my job too and worry about long term issues. I am overweight and have been having other issues with Joint pain. I may consider paying the extra money to join an gym where they have a pool and swim for exercise as it is easier on the joints. Water aerobics classes too. I admit I am a couch potato too and can't get motivated.

I started with swimming when I decided to get fit. Not only is it easier on the joints, if you can swim you can feel athletic pretty quickly. It also is a great mental break, because it tends to be quiet (no music blaring, just the rhythmic splashing of the freestylers). I love it. But work with a trainer to be sure your technique is good (just a couple of sessions is usually plenty). Because you can hurt your elbows or knees if you aren't stroking/kicking right. I also use the recumbent bike to protect my joints, but as I lose, I've been finding I walk more and take the steps more and just generally feel more comfortable in my body, so I just move more.

bdamaster60

Aggravated pelvic forward tilt and thoracic kyphosis. These are the typical conditions where people with desk jobs have due to weak scapular abductors and lombar arrectors.

Show off.

what do you mean?

neverstray

Aggravated pelvic forward tilt and thoracic kyphosis. These are the typical conditions where people with desk jobs have due to weak scapular abductors and lombar arrectors.

Show off.

what do you mean?

I was joking about the technical talk. Nevermind. It's not funny if you have to ask. But, I have no idea what you said. That's why I playfully said what I said.

bdamaster60

Aggravated pelvic forward tilt and thoracic kyphosis. These are the typical conditions where people with desk jobs have due to weak scapular abductors and lombar arrectors.

Show off.

what do you mean?

I was joking about the technical talk. Nevermind. It's not funny if you have to ask. But, I have no idea what you said. That's why I playfully said what I said.

could always google it

neverstray

Aggravated pelvic forward tilt and thoracic kyphosis. These are the typical conditions where people with desk jobs have due to weak scapular abductors and lombar arrectors.

Show off.

what do you mean?

I was joking about the technical talk. Nevermind. It's not funny if you have to ask. But, I have no idea what you said. That's why I playfully said what I said.

could always google it

Too many words.