Ever heard of FAI?
If you haven’t it’s ok. Many of you out there can maybe relate to hip pain and the compounding effects of it on your ability to lead a carefree, pain free life. If you sit all day at a desk, or you run marathons in your free time, you are at risk for a dreaded and painful syndrome called FAI.
Femoral Acetabular Impingement (FAI) Syndrome is a condition in the hips, and this diagnosis is getting a lot more attention recently. When diagnosed with FAI, doctors will often recommended painful surgery but it doesn’t always address the root of the problem. I am an advocate of doing everything you can to avoid surgery, therefore I turned to the best person I know that knows about FAI and how to solve it.
Matt Hsu is the founder of www.UprightHealth.com (bio below), an amazing resource for all things pain, posture and alignment related. I stalk him regularly and love surfing his YouTube videos. I asked Matt to go on video with me to discuss the details of FAI and how the research is contrary to the surgeries being prescribed, and how exercise and muscle work seems to actually be a better solution.
Matt and I connect on many levels. We are both passionate about empowering people to solve their own body pain issues. Here are some timestamped highlights from this inspiring interview so you can find the information you’re looking for:
1:45: Matt describes exactly what FAI is and some of the recent research behind it
5:02: Matt tells us the kind of people that can be affected by FAI (hint: if you’re sitting and reading this you will want to watch this part!)
7:15: Matt starts moving around to show us exactly where FAI pain might manifest (and has fun getting intimate with his camera!)
9:45: He explains exactly why saying the words “I can’t do that” can make your pain even worse.
10:39: Matt’s FAI Fix program has a system called TSR. Matt explains exactly what these initials mean.
15:55: Time to get moving! Matt shows us how to roll the quads and the impact this can have on the hips
17:45: I love the stretch Matt demonstrates for the quads! You need to check this one out as it’s very unique.
19:30: Matt shows us the “R” in TSR with an exercise that you’ve probably seen before but now has a whole new purpose.
21:20: Matt shares his own personal pain journey, which makes him the inspiration he is today.
Check out the video here. If you prefer a written transcript, please go here.
Read a little bit more about Matt and his journey to starting his company:
Matt has helped executives, managers, and programmers of top Silicon Valley companies including Facebook, Apple, Google, and Quora. He’s worked abroad with key people at various top level Hong Kong legal, banking, and large retail firms as well as with motivated individuals in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. He’s worked with Navy SEALs, former and current pro athletes in the NFL and MLB, physical therapists in the U.S. and abroad, and with a wide range of business owners, moms and dads, weekend warriors, and hardcore desk jockeys.
He co-created the FAI Fix, the world’s first online program dedicated to helping people everywhere understand and beat femoroacetabular impingement without surgery. He has been a driving force behind multiple online programs – like the Shoulder Fix – that have helped thousands of people improve their mobility and get their lives back.
His own battle with chronic pain from the age of 16 in his feet, knees, hips, back, shoulders, elbows, forearms, wrists, hands, and head gives him a uniquely thorough understanding of musculoskeletal pain, the ways in which it can undermine an entire life, and the mental and physical hurdles that keep people from getting out of it. Matt also spends a great deal of time poring through and critically reviewing medical research to ensure that his ideas and recommendations are based on solid reasoning. His perspectives give hope to people in pain.
The information in this video is invaluable for those suffering with any sort of pain in their hips. I urge you to watch and take notes. And get down and start foam rolling right away!
