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Respected Contributor
Posts: 4,936
Registered: ‎07-02-2015

WOMEN SHOULD "SIT LIKE A MAN" TO AVOID HIP, KNEE PROBLEMS

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Honored Contributor
Posts: 19,487
Registered: ‎03-16-2010

Re: WOMEN SHOULD "SIT LIKE A MAN" TO AVOID HIP PROBLEMS

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This was on a long list of 'dos and don'ts' my chiropractor gave me on my very first visit.  

I usually cross my legs as soon as I sit down, and when my hips are acting up I can immediately feel them start to ache.  So that does remind me to uncross my legs.  But it's hard to break old habits!

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Registered: ‎08-25-2010

Re: WOMEN SHOULD "SIT LIKE A MAN" TO AVOID HIP PROBLEMS

I’d always heard that crossing your legs would cause or aggravate varicose veins. I also notice that perching one foot on the bottom of my shopping cart while I’m waiting in line at the grocery store gets uncomfortable pretty quickly. Standing with both feet flat on the floor solves the problem. Now I’ll try to remember to SLAM to preserve my hips. Thanks!

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Re: WOMEN SHOULD "SIT LIKE A MAN" TO AVOID HIP PROBLEMS

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@Eileen in Virginia 

 

The original of this story, written by Elizabeth Kiefer for the Washington Post newspaper, is more detailed and was reprinted in our metro Atlanta newspaper this morning.

 

It notes that "sitting with crunched legs does not cause varicose veins; that's more of a genetic predisposition", according to ortho surgeon Barbara Bergin mentioned in the story.

 

Another ortho surgeon at New York Univ. Spine Center, says that particular postures among women can also be problematic when they're on their feet.

 

Both feet planted firmly on the floor seems to be widely endorsed as the way to go.

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Re: WOMEN SHOULD "SIT LIKE A MAN" TO AVOID HIP PROBLEMS

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@novamc1 

 

 As a Male that has ran over 300,000 miles, and at 80, no major knee or hip problems. I have suffered about every physical structural injury that exists. If not all, danged close to it. ITBS is 1 of them, as described in this article. 

 

At times it can mimic a knee problem, at others a hip problem, and the worst when it is both. There was no info on much of any running related injuries in the late 1960's or early 70's. Doctors most commonly advised: "if this causes pain, quit doing it"! No diagnosis no knowledge. I had to search for my own solutions.

 

Things like Chrondromalacia Patella was common, yet running shoes were non existent, except for maybe Keds tennis shoes. No cushioning/no choice of lasts/heel counters/nothing about under or over pronation, nor the effects of running miles on uneven surfaces.

 

Anyways, it took me years to find my own solution to what became ITBS, (iliotibial band syndrome). This article makes sense to me because of the differences in the Male and female body structures. That and what seems to be the "proper" way for a "lady" to sit and/or stand.  

 

Give it a shot ladies, it just might surprise you.

 

 

 

hckynut(john)

 

 

hckynut(john)
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Registered: ‎12-15-2013

Re: WOMEN SHOULD "SIT LIKE A MAN" TO AVOID HIP PROBLEMS

Wow @hckynut , you gave a very technical blow by blow account of body functions that I relate to and have always been aware of instinctively. I appreciate your input.

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Re: WOMEN SHOULD "SIT LIKE A MAN" TO AVOID HIP PROBLEMS

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@hckynut 

 

Thanks for your input. 

 

I'm married to an almost-80-year-old  gym rat who has been banged up, whacked up and operated on every which way after playing competitive team basketball and other sports from childhood through age 50-plus years.

 

It's interesting that he has had shoulder rotator cuff surgery, hip replacement on one side, and total ankle reconstruction (after a million sprained ankles), plastic surgery from broken noses, plus hand surgery from sprained fingers.........but NEVER has had a knee problem.

 

And that's  after the only type of shoes worn in his college and later basketball years were simple Chuck Taylor's--pretty bad for support by today's standards.

 

He's also had Parkinson's for years, but is still a daily gym rat and, according to his doctors, is doing remarkably well.  He does wear better shoes these days, though!

 

Go figure............

 

Congrats on your record of living years doing what you want to do and still going strong!!

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Posts: 18,604
Registered: ‎10-25-2010

Re: WOMEN SHOULD "SIT LIKE A MAN" TO AVOID HIP, KNEE PROBLEMS

Now that the is the norm for women to wear pants, we can sit without crossing our knees or ankles and I do.

 

The standing leaning on one hip probably comes from carrying babies on our hips.  Most of us with children picked up this habit.  I know I did it often I had a child on each hip.  I guess I need to work on that bad habit now.

 

I have no hip problems, but my knees are awful.  I have fallen on my knees hundreds of times and scrubbed many floors on my knees.  I was a gymnast up to and including my HS years.  My knees took a beating. 

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Registered: ‎05-10-2010

Re: WOMEN SHOULD "SIT LIKE A MAN" TO AVOID HIP, KNEE PROBLEMS

It makes sense but I'd have to hear it from other orthopedic specialists before I believe it.  Even if it's true, women are going to man spread like men.  That's never going to happen.

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Posts: 18,604
Registered: ‎10-25-2010

Re: WOMEN SHOULD "SIT LIKE A MAN" TO AVOID HIP, KNEE PROBLEMS

@chrystaltree   I see women sitting like a man all of time, even when wearing dresses.  They just push the fabric of the dress down between their knees for modesty or not.

 

I don't think it is stressed to sit with knees or ankles crossed like it was back in the day. Of course, we wore more dresses back then.