I’ve always said muscle injuries were frustrating. You know with broken bones you must wait a few months and they heal. Muscles could take days, weeks, months or years to heal…you can still run through them but it doesn’t feel like rainbow and butterflies.
That’s where I’m at right now.
The evolution of the butt pain went something like this:
First it was half limping through adductor muscle, hip, hamstring, butt and IT band.
Then it went walking normally with residual pain in my adductor (which faded away) but my pain in the hip, and butt were still there.
Then it was committing to going to a professional who knows what they were doing and working with them.
My pain is now mostly in the gluteus medius, TFL, piriformis and SI joint.
Now there is one pinpoint of sharp pain right in SI joint. With all the work being done everywhere else, my muscles are constantly being forced elsewhere. The pain has been traveling which is a good sign (I guess…because it’s not a stress fracture). Getting multiple ART sessions is beginning to loosen them up. We are currently working to loosen everything up and go from there.
All of the professionals I’ve been too believe that rest isn’t going to make it better or worse. The problem lies in the muscles and once the muscles are “fixed”, the issue will be fixed. So I’ve been running a little bit off and on. I have to say I do feel better than 2 weeks ago…whether that is from marathon recovery or injury recovery, I am not convinced.
As I mentioned, since last week I’ve decided to go to a very knowledgeable sports doctor in South Jersey. The team works exclusively with runners and triathletes. So far the team has done nothing but great work. I’ve seen two of their staff so far and have another appointment tomorrow. They have informed me they will be able to get a good gauge of my issues by four sessions. If I need to be referred to somewhere where I can get an MRI then that will be the next step. So I am giving them the benefit of the doubt and going at least 4 times. I cannot imagine it’s anything bone related because I am able to run without a change in gait.
| Monday: | OFF (recovery from Shamrock) |
| Tuesday: | 6.5 miles easy |
| Wednesday: | 7.13 miles easy |
| Thursday: | Cross training AMT |
| Friday: | 6.5 miles treadmill |
| Saturday: | 8 miles |
| Sunday: | 6.5 |
| Total: | 34.5 |
Nothing hurt any worse or better while running so I kept with that mileage.
In summary:
- I’m stretching, doing PT and trying to get my butt to feel better. The pain has migrated and currently seems to centralize in my SI joint.
- I’m going to see a professional to get help.
- I’m still running and the pain doesn’t feel worse when I run (but is still there).
This post is kind of all over the place but long story short I think what I’m doing is beginning to work. Any injury is frustrating but I still think muscle injuries are the most.
Questions for you:
Have you ever received ART?
What was your best workout of the week?
I’m a true believer in ART. My chiropractor is certified in it from head to toe and it was a huge help in ridding my tendinitis. I had a pain in the butt after my last half. Eventually it just went away. Muscle injuries are frustrating for that very reason.
I agree with you. I just want an answer or timeline for healing!
I am having many similar issues as you are! Glute med/max, ITB, piraformis and my back and the issue seems to move around. I can still run, though some days more painfully than others. Luckily for me I am married to a PT and he has been doing ART on me to help.
Ugh, I hate to hear to that Kristen! I hope you are able to get some relief soon.
I LOVE ART and Graston. Although my injury has been never ending, each of these sessions made it feel bearable for a few hours or days. It was a nice relief!
I had the same injury hit me in the fall. It got so bad that I had to completely shut down and cross train for two months. ART and some serious hamstring/hip strength training has me back out training and racing again. Stick with the ART and PT! It really helps!
Thanks for your advice. If you have any other helpful advice, I’m all ears at this point!
I have not received ART, but I have had several local friends who did and who thought it was a lifesaver. We have a few ART professionals in Charleston, sometimes they can be hard to find in smaller places. It sounds like you made the right step going to that sports doctor and hopefully they can figure out the issues. My “pain in the butt” kind of moved too, moved more from the hip/butt to the groin. I’m thankful that PT and massage have really lessened it, but you are right that muscle injuries can be frustrating because of that. Hopefully they can help you find relief soon.
My best workout this week was the Cooper River Bridge Run 10K. I set a new PR.
Good to hear (1) the pain isn’t worse, and (2) you’re covering your bases in terms of recovery/rehab. You also reminded me I need to get a sports massage soon … 🙂
Sports massages are the absolute best!
I agree having an injury (or soreness at all) is maddening because you can still run and function, it just feels off. It’s like you don’t have complete control of your body and are afraid of what might happen if you misstep. I have never received ART but learned about it after reading Ryan Hall’s book “Running With Joy” as something he does a couple times a week.
My best workout was the race I did in a snowstorm yesterday. It was grand!
I’ve experienced success with Graston treatments for piriformis and recent hip injury required two cortisone shots, but thankfully back to good. Working with a professional is the best route. Take care!
I’ve been wondering if cortisone and Graston is the next step. I do want to give the benefit of the doubt first though!
Thanks for sharing!
Sounds like you’ve taken all the appropriate steps to correct the butt muscle pain. But man, how frustrated you must be. Just think about how awesome running will be once this all clears up. I’ve followed you for a while and you’re still quite impressive in your pace even with pain.