9 Causes of Hip Pain During and After Running

9 Causes of Hip Pain During and After Running
Hip alignment issues are one of the major causes of hip pain during and after running, and, if left untreated, injury. Given the role of the pelvis as a fulcrum in each of the three planes of motion of the body (frontal, sagittal, transverse), there are numerous potential drivers of alignment issues, as problems tend to propagate to the hips. Play Video Play Loaded: 0% Progress: 0% Remaining Time -0:00 This is a modal window. Foreground --- White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan --- Opaque Semi-Opaque Background --- White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan --- Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window --- White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan --- Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Default Monospace Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Sans-Serif Casual Script Small Caps Defaults Done The symptoms of pelvic misalignment can take quite some time to show up (and can be quite broad in nature), and the condition is often first recognized as a leg-length discrepancy. Such discrepancies can be mistakenly attributed to permanent biomechanical issues when in fact they are often a temporary condition brought on by poor pelvic alignment. Thus the tendency is to leap quickly to orthotics in such a situation, when in fact appropriate corrective and preventative exercises may address the true issue. Injury Possibilities Hip alignment is a concern because it—or rather the functional leg-length discrepancy it tends to introduce—is a source of many potential injuries. If you can visualize the impact of running with one leg slightly longer than the other, you may be able to imagine some of the injuries listed below. On the "longer leg" (raised side of the hip), which experiences greater impact and torsional forces, runners can experience: Hip injuries or soreness: This seems the most obvious, as the increased force of impact is transmitted all the way up to the hip. Hamstring strains and piriformis syndrome: The longer leg can end up bearing slightly more of the work in propelling you forward, thus making the hamstring more vulnerable to strains. IT Band Syndrome: ITBS is seen increasingly as an issue originating from weak hips and glutes, but the increased loads from a seemingly longer leg can have the same effect. Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome (Runner's Knee): The knee is another joint that bears excessive forces on the longer leg, and can therefore be subject to injury. On the "shorter leg" (lowered side of the hip), which typically ends up experiencing more of a midfoot landing, the most common issue is Achilles tendinitis (or plantar fasciitis). The situation is similar to the runner who transitions too quickly to minimalist running; without the proper strength and mobility in the lower leg, injuries become more likely. Causes of Hip Issues There are several potential causes of pelvic alignment issues, and there are often several involved in each specific case. Running-related drivers include: Strength imbalances (or asymmetries): This can cause a runner to favor one side over the other, which ultimately pulls the hip out of alignment. Injury history:This can be a source of the asymmetries driving form hitches that cause misalignment to develop. Cambered roads: Since we have all been taught to run (or walk) against traffic, we tend to go to the left (in the U.S.) side of the street. This causes our left leg to have to reach down a little farther than our right, since roads have a slight camber to help water drain off. There are also non-running contributors to hip misalignment: Poor posture: This is a "low intensity, high frequency" contributor that can build over time. It can happen as we sit cocked slightly to one side, when we tend to lean against a counter or table while standing, and while driving—the very nature of having to use one foot can be a factor in misalignment. Habits of imbalance:Many of us have a tendency to carry our purses or laptop bags on the same sides, or to use our phones with the same ears (and hold it in place with our shoulders because we are, after all, busy). Treating Hip Misalignments Hip misalignment can best be diagnosed by a professional, who will typically have you relax while lying down with your knees pulled up then extended fully so he or she can see how your knees are positioned. You may also get an indication of this issue if you see different wear patterns on the soles of your shoes. Often the shoe with greater heel and toe wear will be the side that is slightly longer, since it may overextend and lead to more heel striking. Play Video Play Loaded: 0% Progress: 0% Remaining Time -0:00 This is a modal window. Foreground --- White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan --- Opaque Semi-Opaque Background --- White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan --- Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window --- White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan --- Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Default Monospace Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Sans-Serif Casual Script Small Caps Defaults Done Once an alignment issue is identified, the goal is to ease the muscle tightness and imbalances that are causing the problem. This is again most effectively done through at least the initial efforts of a professional such as a sports chiropractor, massage therapist or physical therapist. Massage or Active Release Techniques can help loosen up the muscles most often responsible for the misalignment: the hip adductors, iliopsoas and the quadratus lumborum. Additionally, these professionals can form other manipulations to help "pop" the hip back into place, though my experience is that quick fixes aren't typically effective. General strength and mobility work focused on the hips such as the Bia routine from the Runners Connect strength training package or Jay Johnson's myrtl routine can help address muscular imbalances that create hip alignment issues. And any of the wide range of stretching activities, ranging from passive to dynamic approaches, can also help loosen up the tight muscles driving the misalignment. One specific exercise that can specifically target getting the hips back in alignment was demonstrated by Leo Kormanik at Ohio Sports Chiropractic: Lie on your back with your feet flat against the wall. Forcefully and quickly thrust the foot of the "shorter leg" against the wall, keeping it flat. Push down on your hip on the same side with your hand, and hold the foot against the wall with hand on the hip for 10 seconds. Relax and repeat 10 times. This is a good exercise to do any time, but particularly as part of your warm-up routine prior to running. Over time, your hip will gradually return to better alignment. You may notice some change in your soreness patterns as your form corrects itself, particularly if you've been running with the misalignment for some time. Preventing Hip Alignment Issues Prevention of hip alignment issues or recurrences involves avoiding some of the behaviors mentioned above, through such steps as: Strength training: Single-leg exercises such as pistol squats are particularly helpful for working through muscular imbalances. Regular massage: Prevent muscular tightness from affecting your form by regularly working out adhesions. Run on flat surfaces: This can be tricky, but you should run in the middle of the road when possible. When it's not possible, try to alternate sides of the road when possible. Watch your posture: Maintaining good posture is one of the things we can do during our work day (or everyday lives) that helps with our running. Be conscious of your pattern: If you instinctively carry heavy loads on the same side all the time (purses or other bags), get in the habit of alternating sides. Given that hip misalignment is so easy to develop and therefore pretty common, all runners would do well to pay attention to their habits that may contribute to this issue, and do what they can to avoid it from happening. Play Video Play Loaded: 0% Progress: 0% Remaining Time -0:00 This is a modal window. Foreground --- White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan --- Opaque Semi-Opaque Background --- White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan --- Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window --- White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan --- Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Default Monospace Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Sans-Serif Casual Script Small Caps Defaults Done This article first appeared on Predawn Runner. Related Articles: Connect with us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram or Pinterest for more tips, recipes and ideas to fuel your ACTIVE life. Find your next race. Original article and pictures take http://www.active.com/running/articles/9-causes-of-hip-pain-during-and-after-running?cmp=17N-PB4-S31-T6-D7-05012016-1162 site