Treadmill = Hip Pain??

kristers03

First some background: For about 6 months now I have been running on the treadmill to the C25k program and doing generally pretty good. Now, I have been known to have lower, lumbar back pain and was diagnosed with a bulging disc back in March. I did physical therapy and was fine until recently (within the past 2 months). I have been experiencing outer hip pain when I run on the treadmill. On other days, even when I don't run I sometimes feel a very sharp hip pain but on the inside (near groin). I talked to my doctor and she told me to take it easy and then try again, gradually running a bit more each time. I took her advice and just the day before yesterday I started off slow, but again I felt the pain.

Now my actual question: Today, just because it was such a nice day out I decided to take a walk. My walk turned into a run/walk just to challenge myself and guess what.......very little pain (not enough to make me stop and it was probably the most I've run since I started running)!!! Please all my fitness knowledgeable pals tell me, is it the treadmill that's causing my hip pain? Is that even possible, or was I just lucky to have a good running day?? I was so surprised when I realized my hip wasn't bothering me today.


I know this is long and I'm sorry for rambling, but if you have experienced this or have some insight, I would love to hear it!

Thanks!!

Lynn_babcock

If you feel more comfortable outside I'd keep with that. Maybe you are walking more naturally because you don't have to walk in a certain place every step. The bulging disc sounds scary. Maybe time to switch it up a bit and use a bicycle so you don't impact your spine so much.. or water aerobics?

BrianSharpe

It may also have something to do with your running form. Treadmills tend to encourage a longer stride and - for some - an unnatural gait, running outside on a non-moving surface is more intuitive.

harleygroomer

I have problems with my treadmill as well... I don't feel you get an even walk NOR is the walking surface as hard as a track so you don't step right. I only use my treadmill now for incline training not walking---I do my 5 miles on a hard track.

kristers03

Thank you, everyone, for all your help!