Hip Pain and Cycling - Need some advice

[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!