topic Re: Crossroad: To walk or not to walk? in Wellness

Crossroad: To walk or not to walk?

sarahpanda — Thu, 02 Jan 2014 23:54:13 GMT

I recently started a volunteer job @ the local hospital , one day a week, for 4 hours. It involves almost continuous walking during that 4 hours. I have never really experienced any hip pain up until my volunteer job. Now, both sides of my hips hurt, but mostly only at night when I try to sleep...(I'm a side sleeper). My question is - Is this one of those cases that it will be get better with time and I need to continue with my job - or should I give up the walking for a sitting down job? Also, are there any exercises that I could do to improve the hip area?? Thank you so much for your help.

Re: Crossroad: To walk or not to walk?

sarahpanda — Thu, 02 Jan 2014 23:55:11 GMT

Oh, by the way - I am in my early 60's.

Re: Crossroad: To walk or not to walk?

terrier3 — Fri, 03 Jan 2014 00:00:02 GMT

""Hurt"" isn't always a bad sign - I always have aches the day after I have a heavy workout - I'm 58.

The best ""cure"" is to keep doing it. In fact activity that increases blood flow to the area will reduce a lot of your symptoms.

How nice of you to volunteer! You are helping people and getting a ""workout"" too!

Re: Crossroad: To walk or not to walk?

lolakimono — Fri, 03 Jan 2014 00:53:22 GMT

What kind of shoes are you wearing when you volunteer?

You might want to check out turmeric as a supplement to reduce the pain.

Re: Crossroad: To walk or not to walk?

sarahpanda — Fri, 03 Jan 2014 01:02:50 GMT

I wear ''Sketchers GO WALK"" shoes on my job.

Re: Crossroad: To walk or not to walk?

lolakimono — Fri, 03 Jan 2014 01:09:05 GMT

You might need more support like New Balance, Birkenstocks, or Alegria.

You can try this exercise with one leg off the bed to stretch out the area (apologies for the lame graphics).

Re: Crossroad: To walk or not to walk?

sarahpanda — Fri, 03 Jan 2014 01:36:05 GMT

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THE ADVISE !! I'M FEELING BETTER ALREADY !!

Re: Crossroad: To walk or not to walk?

151949 — Fri, 03 Jan 2014 01:44:20 GMT

Actually , pain down the legs or in the outer hip areas is generally bursitis but can also be a back problem. Pain in the inner groin areas of the hips is usually arthritis. You should speak to your doctor - he would probably want to do an x ray.

Re: Crossroad: To walk or not to walk?

sarahpanda — Fri, 03 Jan 2014 01:51:27 GMT

....Mine is on the outside of the legs...going for a check up in early February...definitely going to discuss the situation with the Dr. Thanks.

Re: Crossroad: To walk or not to walk?

terrier3 — Fri, 03 Jan 2014 01:58:38 GMT

On 1/2/2014 sarahpanda said:
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THE ADVISE !! I'M FEELING BETTER ALREADY !!

Sarah -I just got back from my trainer at the gym.

He said to make sure you are wearing good walking shoes...and then to keep walking. Especially important the day after your volunteering sessions. If you walk for at least 15-20 minutes straight when you are sore...the blood will start flowing and you will end up felling better.

I lifted heavy free weights tonight...alternating with 5 minute runs and step ups with 30 pounds in weights.

I am taking two Aleve tonight...followed by a hot shower.

I KNOW I will be sore in the morning...so I will have to walk it off at home or go out and shovel snow for a while to warm up my muscles.

Re: Crossroad: To walk or not to walk?

sarahpanda — Fri, 03 Jan 2014 02:11:30 GMT

Terrier2: Oh, if I only had your strength !!! Great job!! Thanks for the information and STAY WARM in all this cold weather !!

Re: Crossroad: To walk or not to walk?

terrier3 — Fri, 03 Jan 2014 02:55:32 GMT

On 1/2/2014 sarahpanda said:
Terrier2: Oh, if I only had your strength !!! Great job!! Thanks for the information and STAY WARM in all this cold weather !!

I didn't always have this strength!

I used to have a 3 hour round trip commute to work and by the time I got home, I was exhausted. I did this for nine long years.

When I got re-assigned back to the city where I live - 7 years ago - I joined the gym.

I know tomorrow morning I'll be practically crawling out of bed...but lifting weights has made a lot of difference in my life. The snow shoveling I did today - 3 separate times, over a foot of snow with a windchill around 0 - is something that would have gotten my heart racing dangerously just a few years ago. I have arthritis in my hands now too...but after warming up even that feels better after a workout.

My trainer has a physical therapy degree - try the shoes and keep moving!

Bless you for your volunteer work.

Re: Crossroad: To walk or not to walk?

colliegirls — Fri, 03 Jan 2014 02:59:42 GMT

Sometimes I believe it is walking on the hard floors that hurt our back, hip, and legs. Experiment wearing different shoes to see which feel better by night time. I sometimes have leg pain at night from the concrete and terrazzo floors.

Re: Crossroad: To walk or not to walk?

lovesrecess — Fri, 03 Jan 2014 03:00:36 GMT

glad to know you have a dr. appt. scheduled in Feb; I would mention the hip pain to him and see if he has any advice; I wouldn't quit your job unless the pain is unbearable...I have similar pain sometimes when I am out doing my walking if I have had to skip any length of time due to ice or snow, etc.....but if I push myself and keep going the pain subsides.

Re: Crossroad: To walk or not to walk?

gailcoco — Fri, 03 Jan 2014 03:07:38 GMT

I would have my primary refer me to an orthopedic surgeon. I started having hip and leg pain at night - it was unbearable. I couldn't sleep. Sometimes it did help to hang one leg over the side of the bed but that didn't help the other hip. It turned out to be severe degenerative arthritis and I needed two hip replacements. I suffered too long - walking with a huge limp - and then with a walker. The walker helped but I thought I was too young for a walker, I'm 63. So I got new hips and now I'm walking without a walker or a cane. Now, I have to get my back taken care of and maybe an eye lift....

I would also try a sit down job until you find out why this is happening. Good Luck..Gail

Re: Crossroad: To walk or not to walk?

OkeyDokey — Fri, 03 Jan 2014 06:23:32 GMT

Concrete floors will kick your fanny. Literally. Try changing up shoes, and alternating a couple of different comfy pairs. Pay attention to the shoes the other folks there are wearing. Many brands of tennis shoes will be seen. Clogs are popular, in particular Dansko and Birkenstock. There are other brands I'm seeing lately also. I think one of them is Alegria. I bet you can find a couple of good pair of shoes to keep your discomfort to a minimum.

Re: Crossroad: To walk or not to walk?

sarahpanda — Fri, 03 Jan 2014 13:51:53 GMT

Well, ANOTHER SLEEPLESS NIGHT...so ummmm think I'll move my appointment with the doctor up to TODAY !!! -- that is if I can get in on such short notice. What makes matters even worse is that 'today' is the day that I do my 4 hours of volunteering @ the hospital...Probably be ready for the emergency room after my shift. Thanks for all your suggestions - by the way, I've changed my shoes in hopes for a better day/night.

Re: Crossroad: To walk or not to walk?

sarahpanda — Sat, 04 Jan 2014 01:59:34 GMT

Ok Friends, I have the diagnosis: The doctor said "hip bursitis"...He put me on Prednisone for the next few days. I'm pretty excited about being able to actually sleep without pain in the coming nights. He also encouraged me to keep my volunteer job because of the exercise, etc. - but did say that there is a good possibility that I might have to work in a less active area. Not exactly what I was wanting to hear but I am hoping to be able to keep my present volunteer job - best people to work with in the world...and I enjoy so much having the opportunity to perhaps put a smile on someone's face that wouldn't normally be there. Thank you for your input!