Seemingly Mild Hip Problem

sampotter · Post by **sampotter** » 21 Jul 2004 01:07

Hey,
I've recently developed a pain in my right hip after playing, and it took me a while, but I think I've linked it to pixie/fairy sets that are rushed, or, really, done at all. The pain is mild, but consistent. Also, another symptom seems to be a slight popping as I walk (I need to put my hand on my hip to feel it, but when mimicing this on my other hip, it is not there -- the motions of my bones seem different, and the pop is not in my better hip). I really don't want this to develop into a major problem, so I'm thinking about seeing a doctor about it to hopefully cut it off at the pass.

Has anyone had any similar problems, or knows anything about this? I know Hood's a rehab assistant, so maybe you can shed some light? This has had me worried lately, and I've been taking time off of footbag to stop any developments, but I hope this time off isn't permanent!

Thanks

Splint · Post by **Splint** » 21 Jul 2004 05:00

Modified Disclaimer: As far as I know there aren't any Doctors registered on Modified. Thus there is no one really qualified to tell you how to treat your injury. As with anything that you might be worried about...see a doctor.

I had some mild back pain for about 6 months but just thought it was sore muscles. Turns out it was a ruptured disc that got worse and worse and required surgery.

MrRoboto · Post by **MrRoboto** » 21 Jul 2004 06:27

Hey guy, I know exactly what you mean with the popping thing. Whenever I used to do moves that require a out to in dex, while shooting my foot down to catch the bag, like ATW or legover, I'd get the pop, more so in my right hip. At first it came with some pain, but then then pain went away, and then the pop thing went away as well. But this only happened when I was first starting, and went away pretty quickly, and I suspect it might have also gone away because I developed better form on these moves, and maybe put less stress on whatever was popping. But you should definatly see a doctor if it isn't going away,

ericksonj · Post by **ericksonj** » 21 Jul 2004 10:23

I agree with MrRoboto. When I first started pixie sets I had that pop thing happen in my hip, as well as some pain in my upper groin area. That all went away as my form improved and my muscles developed.

See a doctor if the pain gets worse, but take your time with moves that put extra stress on your body. Eventually your form and muscles will improve so that you can pixie/fairy to your hearts content.

sampotter · Post by **sampotter** » 21 Jul 2004 10:52

All right, thanks, just good to know this isn't a freak case or anything.

Juana · Post by **Juana** » 21 Jul 2004 14:26

Sam! my fellow shredder... welcome to my world! you know how I'm always complaining about my hip when I kick with you guys...and how I had to take major time off because of pain that became progressively worse? Well, what you are describing is *exactly* how my problem began. albeit I linked my hip injury to good side stepping and atomic. Adding atomic to my repretoire is what set it off...and eventually it got so bad that stepping also aggravated it. I'm kicking regularly again after major time off (~10 months) and don't have pain as long as i steer clear of tricks i know hurt it. it's done wonders for my weakside!!!!

anyway, I did vest some time and $$ into seeing a doctor about my problem. ultimately it was a waste of time and money because after a bone scan and an MRI and insisting he watch video footage of me playing (so that he understood what i do is higher level than "hacky sack"), he didn't find anything...just prescribed me massage therapy, muscle relaxants and pain killers -- since I'm not big on the latter 2, I treated myself to a couple of massages and then took a long hiatus. at least i have piece of mind that it is not something more serious...and a stockpile of fun meds!

Good rule of thumb, if it hurts, don't do it. there are so many tricks in freestyle that it wont hurt your game to leave some tricks out. i prefer it...now i spend way more time spinning, ducking and freezing...playing around with other aspects of my game that I might not have otherwise.

talk to Carol, she has eliminated tons of tricks from her game to protect her knees and she is still a bad ass shredder.

kick with you soon?! see ya.

sampotter · Post by **sampotter** » 21 Jul 2004 14:35

Thank you!

Thinking about it more, I think it may actually be atomic, something I doubt I'm going to learn now. I hit tap a few times on my right atomic at the Bite, and that must have been what set it off. Pixies have never brought me pain before, and even going through the motion now, they don't hurt unless I rush them. So, yeah, I'll take your advice and steer clear of what hurts and work on different aspects of my game. About pixies, though, despite your problem are you able to do them now without much pain?

Thanks again, and hopefully this won't escalate.

Peace

Also, when's the next time people from Oly are kicking up here or whatever or wherever? Haven't kicked with more than a few people in a while!

FlexThis · Post by **FlexThis** » 21 Jul 2004 15:10

richardabshire · Post by **richardabshire** » 23 Jul 2004 11:05

First you need to STRETCH alot. I don't care what kids telll you. They don't know yet simply due to their age. Next, keep your wallet in your front pocket. That little piece of leather can create a whole load of problems in the future. After those things, go see a chiropractor just to make sure things are in the right place. I am not saying get an adjustment, but its a cheap way to find out if your body is even and performing properly. I have seen alot of kids tell me they will be shredding forever. Haha it doesn;t work like that and never has. If you don't take this sport seriously, then don't persue the top level. This is a sport and requires the same things all sports require. This isn't your parents hackysack anymore.Hope this helps, Richie

sampotter · Post by **sampotter** » 23 Jul 2004 11:15

I'm 15, and I stretch a LOT. I don't carry my wallet in my back pocket because of how awful that is for you. Believe me, I know that if I want to pursue the top level in the sport I need to take care of my body. That's what I do. I'll consider seeing a chiropractor if the pain doesn't get better, though. Thanks.

Also, to maybe alleviate the problem ergonomically, does anyone know if doing atomics leggy would be better for this than doing them hippy?

Juana · Post by **Juana** » 23 Jul 2004 11:35

harder, yes, better for you?...not sure.

if you haven't noticed, I do most moves leggy except for atomsmasher, nuclear set tricks and legbeater. leggy hurts my hip too [now]. That's just because the hippy style detroyed me first and then the leggy just aggravates it -- any quick hip motion hurts it...quantum, stepping, atomic (hippy/leggy), etc. luckily my injury is one-sided

Like Ritchie said, definitely stretch. i stretch, however my problem stems from overuse of a repetitive motion (i.e. skooling atomic sets over and over and over) variety and moderation are key! for me, i just need long-term time off of certain tricks & x-training while my body recuperates and strengthens.

Some people can just get away with kicking on bad surfaces, using shoes with no support, etc -- like Peter Irish...he's as strong as ever and I can't think of a time when he's had a serious footbag related injury. he's the exception though and not the norm. the golden child.

Tsiangkun · Post by **Tsiangkun** » 23 Jul 2004 11:45

I don't believe the hype on stretching. I think it makes injuries more likely, and in my case I know it makes injuries more likely.
Keep the wallet in the front pocket, it actually makes a big difference.

richardabshire · Post by **richardabshire** » 23 Jul 2004 12:45

Check your shoes. Make sure they are wearing evenly and if not trash them asap. The same applies if they are old. Replace your shoes at least every five months regardless of its condition. The lavers age fast and need replacing more than other shred shoes. If you can maybe do some squats with light weight and about 10 reps. If this causes any pain stop and pin point the exact location of the pain and see a doctor asap. If you take time off, dome rehab work everyday and come back stronger than before.Hope this helps,Richie

pill · Post by **pill** » 23 Jul 2004 13:41

what's with the wallet thing, somebody please explain how that's bad for you.

Tsiangkun · Post by **Tsiangkun** » 23 Jul 2004 14:00

The wallet in the back pocket will screw up your spinal alignment and cause lower back pain and tension between the shoulders.

FlexThis · Post by **FlexThis** » 23 Jul 2004 14:04

sampotter · Post by **sampotter** » 23 Jul 2004 14:20

Thanks everyone for the help. Lots of very good advice throughout the thread. I'll give all of this a try and see what works.

Richie - I have been trying squats and holding them and that seems to work very well. The shoe advice is also good. I'm going to follow the example of players like you, Allan and the Victoria crew, and other players, and start playing in CT300/520's.

Damon - I tend to agree with you about stretches -- a long warm up with stretches as I warm up seems to work best for me. A full stretch after playing also helps me, I think.

Jane - Cross training is a good idea!

Peace

marc · Post by **marc** » 23 Jul 2004 15:07

I used to have the same popping feeling in BOTH hips. I just thought I was retarded, but it went away. I just found out today that one of my friends used to have the same problem. I'm guessing once you develop better form/stronger muscles, this goes away.