Can anybody give me any advise on a really niggling problem. Every time I finish a run my hips stiffen up and I can barely walk the next day, doesnt feel like its the joint it feels more muscular. Sometimes the pain persists until my next run and I hobble off like an old man but once I'm going the pain eases a lot and running is OK but both hips feel 'weak'. Ibuprofen rubs and tablets help but don't want to rely on them to run. I'm aiming for my first half marathon on 7th September and want to prepare properly.

The pain is at the top of the leg and stops you dead in your tracks, it doesnt radiate down the leg at all, sounds like it could be a hip flexor as you suggest. I started running last September and have taken it really steady building up to my first 10 miler last weekend at around 10 minute miling, very steady, I do shorter runs in the week 4 or 5 miles maximum. always warm down with a short walk and lots of stretching, quads, calfs, back etc. I got some Reebok premier running shoes with lots of cushioning before I started running and I have no trouble with knees, ankles, calfs etc, just the old hips! Thanks for you reply and any further advise would be appreciated

Thanks Trent, I'll Google it now!

I have had it, but the cause of mine was a little uncommon. I got mine from severe, and I do mean SEVERE piriformis syndrome and lower back problems. My entire pelvic girdle was a disaster, basically. The tension in the muscles caused misalignment of my hips which caused friction on the trochanteric bursa. I got a cortisone injection for mine, and that helped a lot. I will say that from what I've heard in cases of "just" bursitis, it can be hard to get rid of just using the "usual" treatments like rest, ibuprofen, and PT. I would try those first, but if your case seems to be particularly stubborn, don't hesitate to get the cortisone. It's uncomfortable for maybe 30 seconds, and you can expect to be pretty sore the next day or 2, but at least in my experience the results were worth it.

From my experience, bursitis doesn't necessarily improve with activity (getting warmed up) while tendonitis does as muscles tendons get loose. There certainly may be exceptions especially in more severe cases. Mr. Benn, it sounds like you just may not be ready for the length of long run you are running or perhaps too fast. I get the same thing as I tend to push limits of what a long run should be for my low miles (20-25) but my discomfort goes away by the next day but in the hour or two after the run, it is quite stiff at hip flexor (front hip). Slowing down helps and very gradually building helps. You may want to revisit your pace during the longer runs. Next time do 9 miles at a slower pace and see how it feels. Any difference? Also, try to get nice and loose before your run. Try a hot bath and see if that makes a difference. Or a lot of dynamic movement beforehand. Also get on floor and do some bicycles until fatigue. Try to get that area nice and warm before running. Something to try. Also, a flexibility plan for hip flexors is wise. Those muscles tighten up big time over time and regular stretching is a necessity (in my opinion) for runners and athletes.

The oxygen channel as a nice yoga program INHALE. Of course I don't use the recording I have nearly enough.

Any word Mr. Benn, I am currently dealing with similar hip problems,, just curious.

What did the physio say it was? Are you going to see an orthopedist or a sprots med doc?