I’ve been dealing with back/hip pain since October and I’m seriously over it! The pain started in what was clearly my back. After being laid up for a week and unable to run for 3 weeks, I was finally back on the streets putting in some miles. I even ran a half marathon…pain free! 

After being told by the orthopedic surgeon that I needed to strengthen my core I started a Core Power Yoga series which I have been doing faithfully. So all is good right? Wrong. My freakin’ hip/low back has been bugging me since the weekend. It’s usually my right hip that gives me grief but this time it’s my left. What is wrong with me?

I researched hip pain and as it turns out it’s really my low back that is probably causing the pain. Here’s what I learned in a nutshell.

Hips:

• Hip pain is felt in the front or groin and is a sharp pain.
• The pain is relieved with rest and worsened with walking and can get worse with time.
• You might feel stiff and walk with a limp.

Back:

• Pain can be felt in your back, buttocks or hips.
• Pain is relieved with standing or walking.
• Pain is worsened by sitting or bending.

I’ve come to the conclusion that my hips do lie! My pain is coming from my back…which I should’ve known considering my recent ortho visit. I definitely cannot sit for very long and while I woke up with pain I had no pain while I was running. So of course I did a little more research…because I have a lot of time to scroll through the internet… and learned basically nothing. Well maybe not nothing, more like I’m already doing what I need to do. 

This is what several sites said to do:

• Maintain correct posture with activities and sitting. (Maybe I could improve upon this.)
• Use ice or heat. (Using an ice pack as I type.)
• Stretch (Ugh. But I have been.)
• Wear proper footwear. (Always, everyday. I can’t even remember the last time I wore heels.)
• Maintain a healthy weight. √
• Stay active. √
• Consider over the counter meds.  √ (Advil is my new friend.)
• Get a massage. (Will be booking that ASAP.)
• Sleep on a quality mattress. (I have a new one at home but slept on an old one at the cabin over the weekend. Hmm).

Bottom line, sometimes hip pain is not really hip pain and maintaining a strong core is still the best bet. I’m going to keep doing what I’m doing and maybe add physical therapy (ortho referred me but I haven’t gone because I was better and figured I could fix myself at home).

Do you suffer from “hip” pain? Have you ever gone to PT? If so, did it help?

Thanks for reading!

I’m linking with Kim and Zenaida for Tuesdays Topics. Take a look and leave a comment on their blogs. 🙂

                   Denise