Feeling the need to pop something when stretching

kmccool started this discussion · 6/6/2013

Lately I've been getting back into stretching. When I do my leg stretches I am constantly feeling pressure on my hips as if they need to be popped. The pressure can sometimes be an annoyance and I am constantly pulling out of the stretch to try and pop it, but it doesn't. It doesn't hurt but it is quite annoying and only happens when I'm stretching. Does anyone have any advice as to what I should do to fix this?

7 replies

azriel · 6/14/2013
This happens to me too. I usually just relax in the stretch until it subsides (usually there is a small "pop-like" sensation), and then i can continue normally into my stretch at my full range. I don't know if this is the right way to go about it though, so I hope someone else has more insight on this!
Veena · 6/14/2013
Kmccool, It could be tight hip flexors, or loose hip flexors. Could be body positioning while stretching. Could be many things. It's hard to say without more info. What stretches are you doing when you feel this?
kmccool · 6/15/2013
It only happens when I do a butterfly stretch, with my feet together, knees bent and leaning forward. All my other leg stretches are just fine though so I can't figure out why it is just this one stretch that makes my hip feel that way.
Veena · 6/15/2013
Ok kmccool. So do your knees touch the floor in butterfly or are they up off the floor? Also, do you feel it when sitting up in butterfly or ONLY when you bend forward? Have you check the position of your pelvis during the stretch? Depending on your pelvis structure you may feel this pressure if you are tucking the butt under or arching the back sticking the butt out. So you could try rocking the pelvis while in the butterfly (butt out/back arched, then butt under/back rounded, to see if that changes the sensation.
kmccool · 6/17/2013
No my knees don't touch the ground. What I did find though was that I can really feel the pressure when my heels are, well, basically pushed up against my crotch. When I pulled my feet forward and away it took the pressure off a bit. I rocked my pelvis a little bit and it definitely helped. I think you are right about it being the structure of the pelvis.
Veena · 6/17/2013
Knccool, Next time you do this stretch try placing a few blankets, a foam roller or a yoga block under your knees. As you become more flexible use less under the knees. Bringing the heeling way into the crotch is advanced, so your body may not be ready for that yet. Good luck!
kmccool · 6/17/2013
I'll definitely work on that. Thank you Veena!