If you’re an avid runner, you may be frustrated with hip pain from running. While this is a common problem for runners, the good news is that there are many treatment options with good outcomes so you can keep doing what you love. There are many reasons why a person might experience hip pain, but there are a few causes for runners that are most common. If you suspect you have any of these injuries, visit your Chandler chiropractic clinic for specialized advice and treatment.
Hip flexor injuries are one of the most common and bothersome causes of hip pain that happens when you’re running. Also called internal snapping hip, iliopsoas tendinitis, iliopsoas tendinosis, iliopsoas tendinopathy, iliopsoas bursitis, or iliopsoas syndrome, this frustrating condition is typically felt as pain in the front of your hip and tends to be most bothersome on just one side. Since the primary hip flexor muscle, the iliopsoas, attaches to your lower back, it’s not uncommon for runners with hip flexor pain to also feel the pain in their low back along with the front of their hip.
Because running requires repeated hip flexion, which is the action of lifting your leg forward and off the ground, it’s one of the most important motions involved with running. Hip flexor muscles are prone to tightness, especially in people who love long-distance running. Over time, repetitive motion in these muscles causes microtearing and trauma to the muscle, resulting in a painful overuse injury. You may notice acute inflammation early on, but long-term pain is typically the result of tendon degeneration.
Your East Mesa chiropractor can suggest stretches to relieve pain in the iliopsoas muscle, although more comprehensive chiropractic care and other rehab may be necessary to fully release the tension and eliminate the pain.
Hip abductor muscles, especially the gluteus medius, are among the most important muscles that help stabilize your hips. Although you may be able to run comfortably with some hip muscle weakness, pain or persistent weakness in the hip abductors can result in an abnormal running stride and associated pain. You’ll feel hip abductor pain in your back and at the side of your hip. Because the gluteus medius starts at the top of the buttocks and wraps around toward the sides of the hips, you may also feel pain in the IT band or at the side of your knee.
Hip abductor weakness can often be identified by looking in a full length mirror. If you notice that your pelvis tips slightly to one side, you probably need therapy for your hip abductor muscle. An imbalanced pelvis will alter your running gait, causing other muscles in your back and legs to overcompensate and leading to other problems such as shin splints or foot pronation. Talk with your Mesa acupuncture chiropractor about how you can activate and strengthen your hip abductors so that your pelvis stays level and free of pain. Simple exercises and chiropractic care can be very effective at balancing the pelvis and strengthening the hip abductors.
Another common cause of pain in runners is high hamstring tension, also known as high hamstring tendinitis or high hamstring tendinopathy. These types of injuries generally respond well to rehab and treatment. If your high hamstring is not functioning properly, you’ll feel pain in the crease below your buttocks on your sitz bones, which is where the hamstrings attach to the pelvis. You may also feel pain in the upper back of one or both of your legs.
High hamstring injuries are usually the result of repetitive strain, such as long distance running. Repetitive microtraumas to the hamstring cause pain and muscular damage. This muscle is especially prone to delayed healing due to limited blood flow to the area. It’s often best to take a break from running while you address this injury, as continued overuse will further weaken and damage the area.
It’s not recommended to try to relieve high hamstring pain without a structured rehabilitation program from your Gilbert chiropractic massage therapy professionals. There are multiple phases of rehab that should be followed in order to get the best results, including stretching and curls, along with chiropractic care, massage, and other supportive therapies.
With the right type of treatment, most types of pain while running can be greatly reduced or even eliminated. The team at Bodyworkz has extensive experience helping people just like you achieve their fullest wellness with our integrative and comprehensive rehabilitation programs specialized for each patient’s specific needs. Let us help relieve your pain so you can get back to doing what you love!
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