Long periods of sitting can put undue strain on your prostate and result in discomfort and problems with urination.
The prostate, a walnut-sized gland in your pelvis, becomes larger as you age. Though usually harmless, it can sometimes cause urinary symptoms; the good news is there are ways to manage or even improve this situation.
1. Sit on a cushion
An enlarged prostate, more commonly known as benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), may not be life-threatening but can still create discomfort and negatively affect quality of life. BPH occurs when an overgrown walnut-sized gland presses on both bladder and urethra causing pressure and discomfort; typically experienced by older men but sometimes younger people too can develop one; more than anything, sitting can exacerbate symptoms; but there are ways you can relieve prostate discomfort when sitting.
Seat cushions can provide relief from stinging sensations you experience when sitting, such as those caused by pressure relief grooves that eliminate contact between prostate, rectum, and sensitive peri-anal tissues. Furthermore, gel seat cushions may offer soothing comfort as well as back pain management and posture support.
One way to reduce prostate discomfort while sitting is taking regular breaks to stand up and move around, as well as avoiding tight-fitting clothing as this can put extra strain on the prostate gland. For some, placing a towel rolled under their buttocks can provide extra support when sitting for prolonged periods.
Dietary changes can also help relieve prostate discomfort when sitting. For example, water should be consumed instead of coffee and alcohol which can irritate both scrotum and prostate gland. Urinate frequently instead of holding urine in. Also avoid drinking liquids within two hours before bedtime as this could disrupt sleep patterns and encourage frequent urination.
Finally, performing pelvic strengthening and stretching exercises may also help ease prostate discomfort when sitting. One such exercise is the Head-to-Knee Pose which strengthens and tones muscles of the lower back, abdomen, hips, pelvic floor and pelvic floor. Other exercises such as hip strengthening or mobility work may improve range of motion or even reduce stress which aggravates symptoms in men. It’s advisable to practice breathing techniques to manage stress as this could aggravate symptoms further.
2. Avoid tight-fitting clothing
Men who wear tight clothing while sitting can experience increased discomfort and increase the chance of prostate problems. This is because pressure applied directly to the prostate near its edge can put extra strain on it and put additional pressure on urethra leading to irritation, inflammation and ultimately an enlarged prostate.
An enlarged prostate can be uncomfortable to live with for older men and can disrupt daily activities. Although it usually doesn’t pose serious threats, an enlarged prostate can create urination problems or lead to bladder infections that lead to further discomfort and infections. There are steps you can take to ease pain while decreasing your risk for more serious prostate conditions.
Sitting for prolonged periods is one of the primary risk factors for benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and other prostate problems, because traditional chairs tend to be poorly-padded, forcing upper body weight onto pelvis bones. Furthermore, modern men tend to be much heavier than their predecessors.
There are ways to reduce prostate discomfort while sitting, including simple strategies like using a soft cushion seat and taking regular breaks to stand up and walk around. Natural supplements like stinging nettle may be helpful as well, which may block hormones associated with prostate growth; zinc may provide urinary relief.
Drink plenty of water and avoid alcohol or caffeine as both substances can increase urine production, further irritating your prostate. Urinate as soon as possible after awakening and before bedtime to empty your bladder completely and reduce the likelihood of having to get up in the middle of the night to go to the restroom; failing that, try not drinking liquids within two hours before bedtime.
3. Take regular breaks
Men who experience prostate discomfort when sitting must seek relief through various treatment options that can reduce the pain caused by benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH).
Sitting for extended periods should not be seen as the sole cause of prostate problems; rather, it is just one risk factor among several. Other potential triggers could include having a weak pelvic floor and poor posture. To combat prostate pain while sitting, make small lifestyle adjustments and take regular breaks from sitting.
Some individuals may benefit from using a cushion to make sitting for extended periods more comfortable, or doing exercises designed to strengthen hips – both will help alleviate pressure on the prostate gland and pain relief.
Other strategies that can help alleviate prostate pain when sitting include increasing frequency of urination (commonly known as “double voiding”) by emptying your bladder as much as possible while standing, then sitting for several minutes before repeating this action. Some individuals also find relaxing prior to urinating helps them alleviate their symptoms.
Making sure that your workplace provides chairs with adequate padding is also beneficial, or purchasing a height-adjustable desk so you can stand for some of the time can also help. In addition to taking breaks during lunch hour or periodically standing and stretching.
Stressful situations can contribute to prostate pain while sitting, so it’s important to do whatever possible to manage it. Meditation, breathing exercises or simply getting some fresh air may all be effective solutions for relieving anxiety. Yoga has also proven helpful; many find the Cobbler pose useful in relieving tension in their pelvic floor as well as increasing circulation within their prostate gland and detoxifying it more effectively than ever.
4. Try yoga
Sitting for prolonged periods can put undue strain on the pelvic prostate and lead to pain and discomfort. There are ways that can help alleviate this discomfort while simultaneously keeping your prostate healthy; one approach would be taking regular breaks to move around or try yoga as one potential remedy.
Yoga provides many health advantages for the body, including improving posture and relaxation. Furthermore, this form of exercise strengthens pelvic-area muscles to reduce pressure on prostate glands as well as promote healthier urinary tract conditions.
According to Shusterman, some individuals with an enlarged prostate find that doing seated yoga exercises may help ease symptoms; the impact will depend on each individual. For instance, certain poses, like head-to-knee pose may help some while being difficult for others; it is essential that these exercises be tailored according to an individual’s comfort levels and do not force themselves on anyone.
Try these seated yoga poses to strengthen the pelvic floor muscles and lower back, which in turn reduces pressure on the prostate gland. Furthermore, these exercises can improve circulation of blood in your groin and hips as well as strengthening core and improving balance.
The bound angle pose is an excellent seated yoga pose for men with an enlarged prostate as it helps increase blood flow to their prostate and encourage detoxification. To perform it, sit on the ground and extend both legs forward – the left knee should press against the inner thigh with right leg resting on top. Hold this pose for 10 breaths before switching legs.
Corpse pose is another beneficial seated yoga pose for men with an enlarged prostate, offering stress and tension relief in their bodies. To do this pose, lie on a mat with arms at your sides, close eyes, focus on breathing deeply while relaxing your abdomen, buttocks, and thighs muscles.