Okay, forum docs (and doc wannabes)...

[wurm]

In the interest of getting a little more exercise while at work, a couple of co-workers and I have started a bit of a routine. Once an hour, we walk the length of the hallway (about 80 yards), up three flights of stairs, across a short hallway to the other flight of stairs, back down three flights, then back the 80 yard hallway to our desks. Every other hour, we do the same thing, except we do five flights of stairs. It's not much, but it's something, and it gets us away from our desks for a few minutes. We've been doing this regularly since the beginning of the year.

Well, a week or so ago, I began noticing a stiffness in my legs after I've been sitting for a while, whether at home, at work or especially after my hour-plus commute in the car. Mostly it's noticeable behind my left knee. I'd have thought the exercise would be beneficial, but now I'm beginning to wonder if all the stairs could be causing the stiffness. As an experiment and with the weather potentially getting nicer, I'm thinking I may forgo the stairs and just walk around the block every hour.

I'll probably ask the doc about it next time I see him, but I figured I'd run it by you folks, too. Any thoughts?

[Janit]

Sounds to me like the stiffness is provoked by the stationary positions, not by the exercise. You are right, though, that something has changed. How intense is the stiffness?

[pRICE cUBE]

Have you been stretching before and after physical activities?

[wurm]

I wouldn't call it intense. It almost more of an awareness that wasn't there before. When I first get out of the car after the commute and go to take my first step, it usually elicits some variation of "oh!" It usually subsides after several minutes. Doesn't really hurt while walking, but again, I'm aware of the sensation.

[Speedy]

You are experiencing old age. Best to just get used to it. Don't stop exercising, rather add the outdoor stuff to your current efforts.

[Filliam H. Muffman]

My recommendation would be to add a few selected 'sit and be fit' exercises/stretches for lower legs to your morning routine before you leave for work. Either that, or on your last circuit of the day, concentrate on slower and longer steps rather than speed.

[sekker]

Awesome - except for the stiffness...

I have a semi-serious suggestion. I get non-clinical restless legs that is treatable by an all-natural daily supplement that is available nearly everywhere, and can be eaten to suit to taste (green, yellow, brown).


A banana a day.


I would give it a try for a few days and see if the extra potassium helps.

[wurm]

Thanks. Interestingly enough, I usually have a banana-nut oat bran muffin a day, but I have no objection to supplementing with a banana. Doubtful it would hurt to try.

[Black]

Sounds like you've come down with a case of claudication.
My money's on a bit of lumbar spinal stenosis, with the seasonal barometric fluctuations kicking up the pressure in your spinal canal.

When you're sitting, the posterior longitudinal ligament is stretched, which creates more room in the spinal canal and takes pressure off the nerves.

[Racer X]

Yea! Lumbar Spinal Stenosis! Join the group! miley-music039:

Wait, not a fun group to be a part of :oldfogey:. But getting up periodically and doing what you are doing is a great idea in general.

If you do have some lumbar spinal stenosis, there are some exercises that can help somewhat, changeing the angle of your pelvis as you walk and strengthen your lower back to cut down on the symptoms.