Hip Pain and Cycling - Need some advice

[Zen]

There are lots of things going on at the hip joint. Lots.
It's difficult to diagnose from here.
See a sports medicine specialist, a physiatrist, or a good PT.

[sundial]

There are lots of things going on at the hip joint. Lots.
It's difficult to diagnose from here.
See a sports medicine specialist, a physiatrist, or a good PT.

+1. It would really be in your best interest to see your family physician or orthopedist for an evaluation. If you have joint deterioration, now is the time to begin treating it.

[KathiCville]

I'm no expert, but I'm wondering if you might have a tight IT band (iliotibial band)? I've been dealing with a bit of outer hip and lower back pain the past couple of months---definitely cycling-related. My BF, who cycles and is also trained in massage, pinpointed an overtight IT band as the main culprit. (Combined with generally tight quads.)

So, I'm doing gentle, but long-held stretches (while reading a book, for example) to encourage the IT band to loosen up. The stretches are making a huge difference! If you're curious, poke around here on TE a bit and elsewhere online to find good hip stretches, including the pigeon pose that mimitabby mentions in her post. (IFJane also demo'd one for me at a recent charity ride.)

I'd give your hip a few days rest and then give some gentle stretching a try........Ease into it; pushing too hard might make the tightness or pain worse before it gets better.

Good luck! I hope whatever it is clears up soon so you can get back on the bike!

[SalsaMTB]

Let me start by saying I'm not a doctor, so I'm just telling you what worked for me with my pain....

I just went through this recently. For me, I played 3 hours of volleyball (which I hadn't played in about 8 years) and I think the lateral movement + jumping caused severe pain in my right hip area. I couldn't walk well, I definitely couldn't get up without support from my arms, I had to sit to put on my pants. I tried riding, and if I applied any forced greater than a light spin, it felt like something was just tearing in the area. It was PAINFUL!

The things I found helped significantly.....

1) Professional massage. I was dealing with this pain for 5 days and decided to get a massage. I told the lady what my concern was and she new exactly how to stretch and massage the area. I honestly felt immediate results. The lady I went to deals a lot with athletes, so if you can find someone like that, I would HIGHLY recommend. I never knew a massage could help so much until I went with an issue.

2) Foam roller. These things are amazing! Someone on my team recommended it, so I tried it. It hurt a lot when I started, but I was careful and massaged it slowly and applied only enough pressure I could tolerate. It definitely helped. You can get them at most large sporting good stores. It's a long solid round shaped foam thing that you roll on.

[KathiCville]

SalsaMTB....Did the massage therapist who helped you mention IT band? 'Cause it sounds like her approach to massaging and stretching your hip is pretty much what my BF recommended to me to cure my hip ache. (See post above yours.) BF has been massaging the area for me for the past month, and then I've been doing stretches on my own.

The foam roller gizmo in your post caught my eye, too! A friend of my BF purchased a similar gadget recently and has been shouting from rooftops about the good it's done for stretching out his tight IT band. In fact, he says it's almost addictive once you get past the initial pain using it, LOL! I'm planning to nab one for myself........

[auntiebobo]

Thanks all! I went ahead and made an appt with a sports medicine doctor - I was surprised to be able to get in as soon as Thursday. I'll try some of the stretches in the meantime.

I really am hoping this is nothing and can heal quickly so I can get back to my riding. I'll keep you posted.

[SalsaMTB]

SalsaMTB....Did the massage therapist who helped you mention IT band? 'Cause it sounds like her approach to massaging and stretching your hip is pretty much what my BF recommended to me to cure my hip ache. (See post above yours.) BF has been massaging the area for me for the past month, and then I've been doing stretches on my own.

Nope, she didn't mention it, but your post did raise my interest also. I've always felt I have weak hips, maybe I need to do more focused stretching (as of now, I really don't do much). I'm definitely going to look into some good hip stretches like you mentioned

[teigyr]

There are some good sports medicine people in Seattle. I'll be interested in hearing what they have to say

While riding has never bothered me (have an awesome bike fit person), running can give me problems. I started really paying attention to what my body is trying to tell me. The IT band (I think) is part of it...I do a lot of stretches when I remember and one leg is definitely tighter than the other.

From my experience, when it hurts and I "behave"...this means stretch, ice, Aleve (or something of the sort), and rubbing it out/the stick, it doesn't hurt. If I think it doesn't hurt anymore and forget to take preventative measures, it hurts again.

I think you're on the right track going to see someone. I also think maybe a bike fit would help if you haven't done that yet and just remember, unlike me, that even when it feels good you still have to take care of yourself!