investigative reporting | January 13, 2026

Can I still run if my hip flexor hurts?

Treatment for Hip Flexor Pain. Rest. Initially it is typically best to rest including stopping all running activity for a period of time and tapering down from your regular exercise activity and any activity that worsens your symptoms. You should not return to running until you can be pain-free throughout the day.

Is it OK to run with tight hip flexors?

Hip flexors, particularly the iliopsoas, are important to runners. The iliopsoas acts as the strongest flexor of the hip and is the prime mover of hip flexion. Think of your hips as the wheels that propel you forward. Tight hips can lead to poor running form and an increased risk of injury.

Is it OK to run with hip pain?

But, as stated earlier, the best course of action regardless is to take time off if you're experiencing pain in your hips. Most running injuries are common and simple to fix. If you have a minor running injury, you'll probably be fine so long as you take the time to treat it properly and rest.

Can you exercise with hip flexor pain?

Light exercise is encouraged to relieve hip flexor pain. There are several exercises recommended to stretch, strengthen, and reduce hip pain. These exercises do not require any equipment and can easily be done at home.

Does running hurt your hip flexors?

Running can take a toll on the ball-and-socket joint that makes up the hip. Every step taken while running puts pressure on the hip, and over time, this can cause wear and tear damage to one of the strongest joints in the body: the hip.

Hip Flexor Pain: Runners Heal this by Improved Running

How long does it take for hip flexor to heal?

Recovery time for minor tears to hip flexors takes around two or three weeks. More significant tears can take up to six weeks. Severe hip injuries and tears can take closer to eight weeks to heal. These times are based on working closely with your physical therapist and following their instructions.

Did I pull my hip flexor?

Symptoms of a hip flexor tear or strain

Pain when lifting the leg to the chest or stretching the hip muscles. Swelling, bruising or tenderness in the hip or thigh area. Muscles spasms in the thigh or hip that occur when walking or running.

Is it OK to run with hip tendonitis?

While rehabilitating, you should work on the exercises daily. Most people are able to return to running within 2 to 4 weeks. Persistent pain despite these measures raises concern that symptoms may be due to a different problem, such as a stress fracture.

Do runners have weak hip flexors?

Average hip strength in runners

Compared to a control group of recreational runners, the injured runners had weaker hip flexors and hip abductors on the injured side, while their adductors were stronger on the injured side. The healthy runners displayed no side-to-side differences in muscular strength.

Can running cause weak hip flexors?

A primary cause of hip flexor tightness is due to the fact that while running, the glutes are not as actively engaged as other muscles.

What aggravates hip flexor?

Hip flexor pain is typically made worse during certain activities or during specific movements, such as: Prolonged sitting, such as sitting during the day at an office job or a long car trip. Going up or down stairs. Bending the knee to the chest (for example, to tie a shoe)

Does walking help hip flexors?

' Walking is good for the hip flexors, but to run far more efficiently (and, crucially, without pain), strategically opening and also strengthening your hip flexors needs to be part of your running routine.

Will a hip flexor strain heal on its own?

Usually, a hip flexor injury will get better with time and rest. However, if you have symptoms that persist beyond one to two weeks, see a doctor to rule out other injuries and ensure you get the proper treatment.

What does hip flexor pain feel like?

Pain in the front of the hip or in the groin. Pain, tenderness, and weakness when walking or climbing stairs. Pain when lifting the knee toward the chest. Pulling sensation in the front of the hip or in the groin.

How do you release a hip flexor?

You can do this stretch daily to help loosen your hip flexor.

  1. Kneel on your right knee.
  2. Put your left foot on the floor with your left knee at a 90-degree angle.
  3. Drive your hip forward. ...
  4. Hold the position for 30 seconds.
  5. Repeat 2 to 5 times with each leg, trying to increase your stretch each time.

Do squats help hip flexors?

Both lunges and squats work into the hip flexor muscles, such as the psoas, by shortening the muscle and shortening the hip flexor itself.

How do I protect my hips when running?

The following methods should help:

  1. Strength training. All runners should be doing strength training alongside running. ...
  2. Rest days. One of the most important ways to prevent hip pain is to not overwork them. ...
  3. Gait analysis. Every runner should get at least one gait analysis in their life. ...
  4. Rest.
  5. Ice.

Where is hip flexor pain felt?

Hip flexor pain is usually felt in the upper groin region, where the thigh meets the pelvis. To avoid hip flexor pain, you should pay more attention to these muscles, Dr. Siegrist explains. When you are seated, your knees are bent and your hip muscles are flexed and often tighten up or become shortened.

How do you know if you have hip flexor tendonitis?

Hip flexor tendinopathy causes pain and tenderness in the front of your hip. The pain might be worse when you bend your hip. Your hip or groin area may feel sore to the touch. You might also hear or feel a click or snap if the tendon rubs across your hip bone as you walk.

Do runners have weak hips?

However, runners are infamous for imbalances in their hip muscles. The most common weak ones are the hip abductors, the muscles on the side of your butt responsible for moving your leg out away from your body to the side.

How important are hip flexors in running?

Hip flexors are one of the most important muscles in our body. They maintain the mobility, stability and strength of other muscles. For runners, these are the main muscles to strengthen and stretch to avoid common injuries. Good Strengthening, Good Stretching, Great Running Form!