On August 10 I had my first PT appointment for this hip weirdness. After listening to the injury history, watching me do a few sketchy one-legged squats, and glancing at my painstakingly constructed training log spreadsheet (see below), the PT had me lay on my stomach while she evaluated my spine.
Then she asked “when did you fall?”
As a trail runner, I thought “when have I NOT fallen?!” Seriously. There are rocks and roots and all this gorgeous distracting scenery, so tumbles happen pretty regularly. I can think of a handful of particularly bad falls (Sept 2016 superman directly on to my chin causing whiplash that still gives me headaches; Sept 2018 somersaults down Mt Bachelor that bruised several ribs; etc), but there’s also the more frequent, less injurious spills that happen every couple of months. What is interesting, and something I’ve pondered before, is that I always (with the exception of the superman fall) seem to land on my left side. I’d like to think this is due to some cat-like ability to twist and adjust in midair, but I think the much more likely cause is that I don’t lift the left foot high enough and consistently trip on that side.
The PT’s diagnosis was that I injured the left side of my pelvis at some point – maybe even years ago – which has caused significantly lower mobility on that side of my hip. The right hip in response has had to work overtime, and has become tight and grumpy and locked in to that bad attitude. So what’s the treatment?
- spinal manipulation while at the PT to help loosen the left side of my pelvis
- an increasingly difficult gluteal, hamstring, and abdominal strengthening program. I have long said the source of all evils is weak gluts and low blood sugar. I’ve also called the gluts “the sleeping giants”, because this muscle group tends to just be along for the ride when you’re running, flapping away without carrying their share of the muscular load. Although I’m disappointed to be right on this – I had a sinking suspicion that glut strength was going to be a consideration in my recovery – especially because I have worked really hard the last decade in Pilates and strength classes to become stronger – I’m cool with it. PT Ellie is showing me some great multi-plane strength work that will make me a healthier runner and a stronger overall athlete. Let’s do this!
