Too much, too soon= Pain

[Gawoo1012]

Hi All,

I joined a martial arts class for the 1st time last week in order to a.) get fit and b.) become more sociable during the winter months.

The class was fairly intense. I was always naturally fit but the last number of years have been spent as a bit of a desk jockey so I am relatively unfit at this stage. When I woke up after the training, I felt like I had been in a car crash...pain everywhere. I had been expecting this and the old adage of "no pain, no gain" was going through my mind.

However, I am unable to bend backwards (even marginally) without experiencing a severe tightness and a pain in the right hip area. The pain is probably halfway between my hip bone and my navel. I can bend from the waist to my left or right without any issues but bending from the front to back is really limited.

Would anyone know what it could be and how I go about treating it? I really don't want to quit the class after 1 session.

Thanks

[Heidi]

From what I know of martial arts (which is very little!) it usually involves some sort of kicking? If this is the case, the area you describe is where the hip flexor muscles cross the hip joint (iliopsoas and rectus femoris). They are used extensively in kicking to lift the leg up. They are also used in bending forwards and you may experience pain on bending backwards due to stretching the muscles.

If this is right, then it is more probably a small tear or microtears in the muscle due to usage that it is not used to. You should rest, and stretch gently (this should be pain free)

Have a look here for more info:

http://www.sportsinjuryclinic.net/cybertherapist/front/frontthigh/iliopsoasinflam.htm

[Gawoo1012]

Thanks a million for the solid advice Heidi.

I have been doing some gentle stretches and the pain seems to be subsiding somewhat.