My training schedule is still being held back by hip pain.  I self-diagnosed either a hip flexor strain or an ITB (ileo-tibial band) strain.  Whatever it is, it's been forcing me to run slow and easy all the time for the last couple of months and is driving me crazy!

We runners are a funny bunch.  We hate to miss running because of injuries, but we also hate to spend time in doctors' offices to get treatment.  I finally bit the bullet today and went to see a physical therapist.

I'm glad I did, because he determined that my diagnosis is wrong.  The actual cause is a sacroiliac problem, brought about by my pelvis being misaligned causing one leg to be shorter than the other.  His remedy was to straighten out my pelvis, suggest a change of running route and give me some hip pain exercises to do.

He also gave me some treatment and other exercises while I was there.  I felt so much better afterward that I wished I had not already had my workout for today.  We'll see how it does tomorrow and review again when I see him next week.

It's great to have medical care from another runner, especially one who lives near enough to me to know the routes I run and offer some alternatives!