Sore hips am I walking too much?

mybigfat

I did 6 miles yesterday but it's just walking not even started running yet I am about to try yoga and my dad suggested using a pillow between my knees cause I am a side sleeper

LivingtheLeanDream

Have you been doing that a lot? as not just yesterday but day in day out??

motivatedmartha

I suffered hip pain for years - believing it was arthritis. Walking is my exercise of choice but some days I just didn't want to do it. In the end my GP suggested it was due to my Piriformis muscle and sent me to the Physio. She told me I was suffering as my arches had fallen and I wasn't walking correctly. Some simple stretching exercises (you can download excellent stretches for Piriformis) and some corrective insoles for my shoes and Bingo - I am back on track with my exercise and mostly pain free. Stretching - even if you feel you are 'just walking' is really good.

L1zardQueen

LivingtheLeanDream wrote: »

Have you been doing that a lot? as not just yesterday but day in day out??

This

SuzySunshine99

Have you lost a lot of weight? I'm a side sleeper as well and noticed more hip pain after I lost weight. Less "padding", I suppose.

stanmann571

6 miles is a lot if that's your first walk.

Ease back and start slow.

If you've been walking for a while, and the pain is new, then you should see a doctor.

TonyB0588

I did 30 minutes on the treadmill and I'm sore too. Sometimes wonder if there's a technique I'm missing out on.

concordancia

Are you taking rest days as you increase your distance? Stretching? How are your shoes?

People get the impression that walking is easy and therefore doesn't require the same precautions as other forms of exercise. BS. Any new exercise, including higher intensity of familiar exercise, should be approached knowledgably.

mulecanter

What kind of hip pain, where exactly? On the side, at the joint, dull/sharp? If it's on the side of your hip you may have adhesions in the connective tissue running down the side of your hip. Use of a foam roller helps that a lot.

ulookfabulous135

In order to make suggestions, I think we need to know more about the pain. For example: are you in pain all the time? Only during exercise? (And the reason I am asking . . . = mostly when you sleep on your side?).

You mentioned that your father suggested sleeping with a pillow between your legs. I think I know what that one is! For years I thought I had arthritis and I toughed it out. As I got older it grew worse, until I had to sleep with a pillow between my legs at night because I sleep on my side too. It bothered me more when on laying my side, that other times. Walking usually provided some relief.

Finally the pain became without relief - and I found myself limping when I walked - so I went to the doctor for X-rays and the official bad news. Dumb me. I did not have arthritis. Bursitis of the hip is the most common cause of hip pain. A sports doctor gave me a Cortisone Injection in my hip and - after one day of soreness - I was pain free for a year! I went back once a year for three years, and then I didn't need them anymore. That was about 5 years ago. It cost about $250 because I wasn't meeting my deductible.

If both hips hurt, get shots in both hips. One time I had to go back two weeks after the injection because he had missed the bursa the with the Cortisone. Doctor might require X-rays first. Hope that is helpful.

mbaker566

it's a long walk, walking like running should be built up to.
a pillow might help
good shoes too. if you are going to be walking a distance, you might want to get fitted for a good pair of shoes.

endermako

If you don't usually walk that long/far you will be sore. My calves are sore when I walk my six miles around the lake.

kshama2001

mbaker566 wrote: »

it's a long walk, walking like running should be built up to.
a pillow might help
good shoes too. if you are going to be walking a distance, you might want to get fitted for a good pair of shoes.

All great suggestions.

6 miles is a LOT if it's 6 miles more than you usually do. (Or 5, or 4, or 3...)

1BlueAurora

I avoided hip and knee pain by going to a running store and being professionally fit for new shoes. It's worth the cost!

MrsPinterest34

I started developing hip bursitis from the repetitive hip movement with walking every single day 7 days a week. I even had discomfort with sleep. I took Advil or Tylenol for the discomfort and did some hip exercises. YouTube has some great stretching videos assuming it’s a hip bursitis issues from excessive use, try the hip bursitis stretches. This video https://youtu.be/Lmjidcc5ccA was helpful and after 2 weeks the hip pain was gone. I also did stretches before and after walking.
If your pain is worsening you should see your doctor for evaluation.

the8BitGirl

I had incredibly sore hips when I first started walking, going from utterly sedentary to only very lightly active. The muscles just seemed to be sore/tight all the time. It got a lot better for me when I started doing squats under load and developed my glutes, hamstrings and quads a bit. I have read that atrophied weak glutes can make weak hip flexors hurt more and a make a tight IT band worse and that seems to have been the case for me. IANAD but it might be worth looking into. Hope it gets better for you soon!

redsrunning250

I’m not a doctor but I had similar issues and it turned out to be sciatica. The pain got so bad I was put on a steroid and needed to rest for a couple of weeks with tons of stretching. I also changed my shoes to a much more supportive shoe. Now I’m happy to report no more pain!!! Hope you figure it out, pain is an awful feeling to live with.

LivingtheLeanDream

OP you haven't come back to see your replies ....