First, if you haven't posted this in the med tent forum.....do it now. There also is probably another topic or two in there from similar people.

Second, i have had problems with my hips and knees. The thing that helped me so much was going to a chiropractor. Also, make sure you stretch the area, and try to find some strengthening exercises.

Good luck

I had the exact same problem this track season.

For me, it wasn't an overuse injury... during training one day one of my teammates jumped on my back while i was running and caused me to fall. The first result was a bad knee, (which fixed itself in a few days), but I also noticed my hip starting to hurt in a really strange place (the lilac crest).

I figured that it would just go away, so I kept running despite the pain. I felt that I couldnt take any time off because it was only a few weeks before the competition season. So, even though I was literally limping through our distance runs.. I kept going. Big mistake. Even though I managed to run though the pain and win the 3k and 1500 at both our city and regional meets, it resulted in a really poor showing at provincials. (... 1:20 slower than my PB in the 3k)

Anyway, I took a month off after provincials (well, 2 and a half weeks) and started going to physio. I found out that it is somehow and abdominal strain.. even though I have no idea it is in the part... I've been having ultrasound by the physio guy, and doing ab exercises. I started running again, and although there is still a little irritation after I stop, the problem has for the most part gone away.

I found that taking time off really helped. Do it now while its the off season and before xc season starts.

I hurt my hip polevaulting. It felt something like what you described. Is the pain more on the outside of your hip? If not look into hip flexor injuries.

Jcoulter,

Did you ever resolve this? Sounds exactly like what I'm experiencing now. Been to the chiro, sports massage which make it a little better till I run the next time then it comes back full fury. I was wondering about the attachment points themselves at the iliac crest. The anterior third of the iliac crest is where my pain is concentrated. I've been stretching, which makes it much better for a little while, but even sitting for 30 minutes after that, the area tightens right back up. A couple of days after running it begins to subside. Hard cycling for an hour and half doesn't seem to set it off, so far just the running.

Hope you had some success with yours, the frustration is exasperating.

Thanks.