MY hip hurts!

RE: MY hip hurts!

Sylvia — Mon, 04 Feb 2008 02:02:40 GMT

I have what sounds like the exact same problem. However, I am certainly a lot older than you (at least your picture looks that way). All I could associate it with was the purchase and use of new Force Fins (Slim Fins: for swimming). Anyhow, I only swim for fitness, and haven't used fins basically at all except for very rare snorkeling. I was so excited by what the fins could supposedly do for my workouts I probably didn't use them as minimally as I should've to start off with. Of course, I was using them underwater as well, also trying to learn the dolphin kick etc. However, I didn't consider that I was using them but for maybe 15 minutes of a hour workout. I also started kicking with a kickboard minimally for improvement of kick etc. I had a hip xray which was okay, and am now getting some Physical Therapy. Doesn't seem to be helping. I'm pretty okay during swimming, but it's my right leg and hip, and I can hardly bear weight on that leg in the morning for a couple of hours, and sometimes after swimming. What relieves it for me is to really stretch in a couple of yoga postures, and by afternoon I usually am fine. By evening, things start stiffening up a bit. Please share with me what exercises you did to help you out. Did you sleep a certain way etc?

RE: MY hip hurts!

Former Member — Tue, 29 Jan 2008 14:43:23 GMT

on delphigroups.com (free register--used to be part of about.com) there is a forum for SI joints. One of the posters on there is a Chiropractor with a site. He posts frequently and has exercises on there to correct the SI joint problem which MAY be what is kicking your sciatica and piriformis. They can be printed out and done at home. It sometimes helps if you have someone to assist with the exercises (:D ). I had the sciatica---tried the heavy duty advil routine, heat and ice routine, the rest routine. Finally had to resort to some PT and finally injections. Was found to be caused, at that time, by a herniated disk (surgery fixed that). When it happens now--or starts to--I start some Bextra (rx only), stretching of the piriformis and hamstrings and can sometimes knock it out. I'll try to get exact name of delphi group forum you want. sacroiliac resources www.kalindra.com/rounds.pdf (for exercises for the SI joint which may be why the sciatic is being "kicked") That article you linked to was a great help. In just two days of following the recommendations there, my piriformis pain from driving to funerals last week is reduced by probably 70 percent! Thanks!

RE: MY hip hurts!

Former Member — Mon, 28 Jan 2008 17:07:08 GMT

I have suffered from piriformis pain for several years. In my case it's aggravated by driving for long periods. I find that deep muscle massage helps, along with targeted stretches. Swimming has always made my pain better. I suspect that pilates would help, but I have neither the time nor the money to take the extra classes. Here are a few good stretches: www.spine-health.com/.../Piriformis-Syndrome-Exercise.html These are good as well (helped me with sciatica, priformis inflammation and a disc extrusion with impingement, out of a wheelchair, onto two forearm crutches and now using only one crutch and back in the pool). www.exrx.net/.../LyingPiriformis.html www.exrx.net/.../KneelingHipFlexor.html and this one peripherally helps www.exrx.net/.../LyingModified.html

RE: MY hip hurts!

Former Member — Mon, 28 Jan 2008 07:07:12 GMT

When my sciatica is pinched, I do the following: 1) I sleep with a pillow between my knees - this takes the pressure off while my body relaxes during sleep and 75% of the time the pain is gone the next day; and 2) I stretch by hanging - grab a bar with arms at shoulder or wider width and let the weight of my body stretch out my spine - I have to really focus on relaxing my my lower spine which tries to resist letting go and stretching.

RE: MY hip hurts!

Former Member — Sun, 27 Jan 2008 13:25:02 GMT

RE: MY hip hurts!

Sylvia — Sun, 27 Jan 2008 02:16:00 GMT

What stretches did you do. I currently am experiencing what sounds like you suffered from. I did have an xray (normal) and start PT on Tuesday. I do not want to give up swimming either. Usually the pain is worse in the a.m., I swim aroulnd noon for an hour, and the rest of the day I seem okay. Of course, I'm a lot older than you. The pain seemed to start when I got some new fins and started working out with those (force fins: slim swim fins). Please let me know how long it took to get better, and what stretches you do. Thanks, Sylvia

RE: MY hip hurts!

Former Member — Sun, 26 Sep 2004 05:35:13 GMT

Just wanted to drop a line to thank you all for the advice.My hip is not hurting anymore.The pain kinda went away with time and my stretching efforts.I never even stopped swimming.I sometimes feel just some slight pain, hardly noticable, but overall it is really cool, I am happy now again:-)))

RE: MY hip hurts!

Former Member — Mon, 13 Sep 2004 15:57:44 GMT

MSGRUPP!I know I probably should give my hip some rest and not swim, but I am too eager to go to the pool.Do you think I would worsen the situation by that or maybe some gentle swimming could even help?

RE: MY hip hurts!

Former Member — Mon, 13 Sep 2004 11:06:31 GMT

Originally posted by msgrupp Was found to be caused, at that time, by a herniated disk (surgery fixed that). Originally posted by hooked-on-swimming All the sites I visited suggested a chiropractor's help. I assume that an orthopedic surgeon (or a neurosurgeon) performed the surgery.

RE: MY hip hurts!

Former Member — Mon, 13 Sep 2004 07:20:03 GMT

The strange thing is that while swimming I do not really even feel any pain but once i stop and just stand on my feet it kicks in - I am very confused there ...

RE: MY hip hurts!

Former Member — Mon, 13 Sep 2004 06:17:49 GMT

2-2-2 posts in one! Yes--surgery was done by an orthopedic surgeon who specializes in spines (that's all he does along with necks). Saw a neurosurgeon who completely turned me off with his personality. I saw 2 orthopods (one wasn't on insurance or I would have gone with him) and the 1 neuro. In my city--one of the leading spine docs is an orthopod and that's all he does (again--along with necks). As to swimming with the hip problem--might be wise to see a doc about it. I was able to do some freestyle kicking but breaststroke was impossible. I spent alot of time swimming (when I could due to pain) with a pull buoy so I didn't have to use my legs. The bigger problem was that I couldn't stretch out straight enough to use the pull buoy and when the pain really kicked in---I just gave up and spent time on the couch! With the most recent piriformis syndrome--breaststroke (for some reason) was easier than freestyle. I did do alot of pull buoy work as it was a bit painful to kick. I did do some kicking as the "butt work" was good for some movement.

RE: MY hip hurts!

Former Member — Sun, 12 Sep 2004 15:17:16 GMT

RE: MY hip hurts!

Former Member — Sun, 12 Sep 2004 08:46:07 GMT

thanks, guys!I made a little research on the internet, and you turned out to be right: it is called sciatica, whether it is sciatic nerve or piriformis(if I understood it right).Anyways, all the sites I visited suggested chiropractor's help, which I do not know if I can afford right now.But at the same time I do not want this to get worse and I definitely want to still enjoy my swimming which is pretty annoying right now.Dunno if I should swim at all. Do you know how I can get rid of that all by myself without doctor's help?How should I strech if that's the way out? Thanks again. P.S.How long can it possibly take?

RE: MY hip hurts!

Former Member — Sat, 11 Sep 2004 09:41:25 GMT

Piriformis pain feels almost like sciatic pain (the piriformis runs near or around the sciatic nerve). Causes some of the pain down the leg PUT the pain is more towards the hip side instead of the "crack" of the butt. The piriformis pain can be caused by the SI joint moving (or going out--and not for dinner!). I've also developed it by sitting for prolonged periods of time with one leg crossed and the ankle resting on the knee of the other leg. Something about abduction--which could lead you right back to kicking mechanics. Resting and learning the right stretches can help.

RE: MY hip hurts!

Former Member — Sat, 11 Sep 2004 09:31:10 GMT

My twice pregnant wife cried out, "it's a sciatic nerve!" Why it is happening is another issue. You'll probably have to lay off swimming a while to let the swelling or whatever causes the pain to diminish. Just floating around and relieving the pressure is probably a good start. I stayed in a Holiday Inn Express last night. Good luck.

RE: MY hip hurts!

Rob Copeland — Sat, 11 Sep 2004 02:44:05 GMT

IT could also have something to do with your stroke mechanics. Have your coach look at your kick to see of there is anything unusual.

RE: MY hip hurts!

DanSad — Sat, 11 Sep 2004 02:07:30 GMT

You could have injured yourself from stretching improperly.