Anterior Hip Pain in Runners
If you are a runner, it is likely you have felt pain or discomfort at some point. And whilst pain in the front of the hips is one of the less common injuries among runners, it can be debilitating and rather concerning. Read on to find out more!!
Anterior Hip Anatomy
Let’s first go over some of the anatomy around the hip. If we think about the front of the hip, there is quite a lot happening here. Many of us have heard about our hip flexors also known as the iliopsoas and the rectus femoris (one of your quad muscles). The iliopsoas muscle is made of two muscles (the iliacus and psoas) and originates from the lower spine and attaches into the upper leg bone. The other muscle we commonly refer to as a hip flexor is the Rectus Femoris which is the most superficial part of your quadriceps. It originates from the bony prominence at the front of your hip and goes down to blend in with the patella tendon. We also have your adductor group of muscles in this region and your rectus abdominus (your abs). Deep to these muscles we have the iliopsoas bursa and the hip joint! Many of these areas can be the source of anterior hip pain.
Images sourced: Netter, Frank H. (2014). Atlas of human anatomy (6th). Philadelphia, PA: Saunders/Elsevier.
So… what should you do if you are experiencing pain at the front of the hip before, during or after a run?? The answer isn’t particularly straightforward unfortunately and usually it involves the words “it depends.” It depends on your history and previous injuries, how long you’ve been experiencing the pain, what other aches and pains you have going on and what you do in your day to day life including what sport/exercise you do.
Either way, before starting some willy-nilly exercises you found on TikTok or doing whatever the random guy at the gym told you to do, check in with your therapist. You will most likely save yourself precious time and hard earned money by getting the diagnosis and rehabilitation right the first time.
Case History
At Caldera, we are focussed on delivering results and this begins with understanding you and your body. A key factor in getting to what is causing your pain is to understand what it is you do day to day and your previous experiences of pain. An in depth case history will also give us more of an idea of what else may be impacting your hip.
A thorough Assessment
An assessment of your whole body and of the hip is pivotal in finding the cause of your pain. This will involve joint range of motion testing, muscle testing, orthopaedic testing for specific pathologies, neurological testing and gait assessments. In some cases we will also refer you to your GP for further examinations such as Xrays, Ultrasound and MRI’s.
Hands-on treatment
Based off our diagnosis, we will then form a hands-on treatment plan to help decrease tension, improve alignment and relieve your symptoms. This can involve osteopathic manual therapy, dry needling, taping, cupping and more.
Targeted rehabilitation and education and lifestyle modifications
You will then be taken through a progressive exercise plan and be given tips you can implement in your every day life. If you think about it, an appointment is only 40 minutes of 10080 minutes you have in a week , and that’s only if you are seeing your practitioner weekly. So the real magic occurs in the changes you make to your daily habits and your commitment to your exercises. Certain exercises will be given based off your diagnosis to build strength, increase mobility or alleviate unwanted forces from an area. Exercises are also beneficial in helping your brain rewire its perception of pain in the hip area. One of the most important keys to management of hip pain is education and understanding the source of your symptoms and if there are any social or psychological factors affecting your pain. The more informed you are, the more power you have over controlling anything that may be aggravating your hip whilst we work together to overcome the pathology.
Are you ready to take the next step towards achieving your health goals?
We are ready when you are!
We understand you might have a few questions before you come to see us. Please get in contact with us via email or phone so we can help you decided if the Caldera Allied Health approach is right for you!
Phone: 0493687206
Address: 9/41-43 Commercial Road Murwillumbah 2484
Hip Pain in Murwillumbah
Caldera Allied Health services Murwillumbah, Condong, Nunderi, Cabarita, Kingscliff, Tumbulgum, Terranora, Chillingham, Tyalgum, Uki, Crystal Creek, Dungay, Tomewin, Dulgaigan, Burringbar, Stokers Siding, Pottsville, Hastings Point, Tweed Heads, and Numinbah. We offer Osteopathy, Remedial Massage, Dry Needling, Women’s Health, Pregnancy and Postpartum support. For more information call us on 0493687206 or head to our bookings page below.