General Fitness & Nutrition: Pain in the Hip

I did my first half marathon almost a year ago in Oct 2007 and am now training for a full. About a month after the half marathon I developed severe pain in my right hip that extended into my lower back. The pain was so bad that I could barely walk for about 3 months! It literally made me immobile for a good month straight. And sitting at my desk job all day was torture!! I went to my doctor who gave me pain pills and muscle relaxers which did nothing. I went to physical therapy which did nothing. Then I went to a chiropractor which has actually helped some! I've eased back into running over the last 6 months but still have pain develop every once in a while, worse when sitting all day at work, and it lasts for days. Its more of a dull, irritating pain.... like when you strain a hamstring or have a mild headache... but its right on the ball joint of my hip. I stretch a lot and ice it, but nothing seems to help. And it doesn't really bother me when I run. It almost feels better after I run! I'm wondering if anyone has had a problem like this or know someone with similar symptoms. I'm at a loss on what to do now?!?! Please help!!

I completely agree with the comments regarding the core.  I had a hip problem with the same symptoms.  It took awhile, but strengthening the core muscles did the trick.   It took at least 6 months, but abdominal strength training did it.  Pilates is good as well as working with the ball.   Again, it doesn't take much time a few times a week, but it will help significantly.   There are a surprising number of muscles in the pelvis, hip and back and they all work closely together.  There could be a strained muscle in those areas that is injured and is responsible for the hip pain.  I think it is normal for the problem area to feel better after running.  Mine did as well.  The muscles get warmed up and are not agitated.    P.S.  You may not have been assigned the right physical therapist.  Keep up the exercises. 

lisakatie:Its more of a dull, irritating pain.... like when you strain a hamstring or have a mild headache... but its right on the ball joint of my hip. I stretch a lot and ice it, but nothing seems to help. And it doesn't really bother me when I run.

I am by no means doctor or expert but did you doctor ever suggest that you get an MRI or even x-ray? My training partner had the same kind of pain in the same exact spot in her hip. After an x-ray that showed what appeared to be bone spurs in her hip joint, she went to have an MRI for a better look and the bone spurs were worse than they originally thought and were tearing apart the cartilidge in her hip. She just had arthroscopic surgery to remove the spurs.

That said, it could be something as simple as you are not wearing the correct running shoes. Have you gone to a running store where they watch your gait and suggest a proper running shoe?

I threw my back out a few months ago while moving.  Hip pain followed but I was experiencing that even before the back problems.  For the first time, I studied the muscles, nerves, etc. in the core group.  I followed the advice of a friend and hired a pilatez instructor one-on-one.  I experienced instant results and am a believer.  I plan to keep this up forever and hope that I can get back to the times I had before my hips started bothering me (a year ago).  Nothing new here, but thought I would add it for all.