11 replies to this topic

[Sunset]

I've started getting into a bit of cycling these last couple of months. Several weeks back I started noticing a bit of discomfort and tightness around my hips. I've always had 'clunky' hips but now they were feeling very tight and not 'releasing' like they normally would, or if they did it would be painful.

It started to effect my running and even walking. Sometimes sitting still I get a dull ache. This morning I had to walk the last 4km of a planned 10km jog because it hurt too much

Just wondering if this is caused by cycling? I've only been going a couple of times a week and I have been building up to it. I've been stretching but it doesn't seem to be helping much.

Suggestions? At this stage it appears like I can't run OR cycle!

[SlowDave]

I have similar issues and need to stretch almost every night to keep things loose. It typically manifests itself in hamstring soreness, but root cause seems to be hip flexors.

[Plazbot]

Saddle being nose down can cause this. Even if you look at ypour saddle and it looks dead flat or even nose up, it can actually end up being 'downhill' when you sit on it. The problem is that you are constantly holding yourself up from sliding down the saddle with your hip flexors.

[Sunset]

Thanks for the thoughts.

Definitely tight adductor muscles. Seems I can still ride but definitely can't run.

I saw a 'new' physio on Monday night which was the biggest waste of time and money ever.
So now I'm going back to my old physio next Monday (at the inconvenient location) - at least I know he's good.

[serena]

Sunset the physio should give you some exercises for stretching the hip flexors - those little buggers cause all sorts of problems! I once had constant lower back pain that I tried so hard to get rid of and it turned out that tight hip flexors was causing all the grief.

See if you can get him to give the flexors a hard little massage (they dig their thumbs in) while you're there, it works wonders for a quick release.

A good one (exercise) we sometimes do in yoga is where you lie on your tummy and hold on to both your ankles and lift/rest/lift/rest.

[Sunset]

I have already been doing a lot of stretching but it feels like they need some good ol' fashion bruise-inducing massage.
It's in a slightly uncomfortable area though

The dodgy physio the other night stuck needles into it to try to release it. And then advised I run as usual the next day. I thought that was slightly strange advice.

[undercover brother]

Sunset, on Dec 18 2008, 11:37 AM, said:

The dodgy physio the other night stuck needles into it to try to release it. And then advised I run as usual the next day. I thought that was slightly strange advice.

nope i've had needles heaps of times by 2 different people and been told to run the next day and been just fine.
personally i find (and my massage dude) finds it takes a few days for things to loosen up post needles.

Sunset, on Dec 18 2008, 11:37 AM, said:

I have already been doing a lot of stretching but it feels like they need some good ol' fashion bruise-inducing massage.
It's in a slightly uncomfortable area though

jusy checking what youre stretching?
not clear if its the adductors (inner thigh) that are causing the problem or 'higher up hip flexors' eg psoas/iliopsoas? ie in the 'middle' groin area.
if its the adductors youre stretching eg. by doing 'the splits' or putting one leg up on the lounge and reaching for the foot then personally i wouldnt.
i have been told by at least 3 people never to do this to the adductors it just narks them up.
massage +- needles is the way to loosen them up.

hope things settle down

ps leon vogels at qsmc does a proper bike set-up/position check thingy if thats whats needed.
never used him myslef (would be embarrasing to bring the exercise bike in ) but never heard a bad thing about him.

Edited by undercover brother, 18 December 2008 - 11:50 AM.

[Sunset]

It is the higher up inner thigh.

I had my bike fitted to me about 18 months ago. I suppose a 'check up' might be a good idea though.

[undercover brother]

ahhhhh yep inner upper thigh/adductors.
not one of the most 'pleasant' massages i've ever had!
hard to tennis ball yourself but i did find an old piano stool that i could use: put the ball between it and my inner thigh.
or you could just massage it yourself.
easy to find - its the sore bit

[Sunset]

Yes it is easy to find and I have been doing a bit of self-massage. I'm a bit careful when I'm at my desk though as it's in a bit of an...erm... awkward spot and it kind of looks a bit sus...

[Dom]

Victor Cycles in the City also do a good bike set up (Byron the owner does them). Been there myself and very impressed. He even wrote down my measurements for me so i can keep checking the set up

[Sunset]

Dom, that's where I got mine done about 18 months ago