Q+A: Why this pain in my backside?
Our experts answer real-life questions
Posted: 16 August 2004
by Cameron Reid
Q Somehow, I’ve injured my right buttock. I’m not really sure how and when – although I suspect it could have occurred at the gym that I’ve recently started attending. All I know is that it aches whenever I run. Any ideas as to what the injury is and what I can do about it?
A You’re unsure how the injury occurred, which indicates a problem that has come on gradually and is being further aggravated, to the extent that running is now painful. If you have been running regularly and have never had any similar injuries, then the recently incorporated strength training in the gym may be causing the problem.
Muscular problems in this area could come from the upper hamstrings, the gluteus maximus or some of the deeper hip muscles. So, if you have been doing over-vigorous exercises in the gym, such as hamstring curls, squats or abductor exercises, the pain will no doubt also occur, and probably get worse, as you perform these exercises.
You also may have been aggravating your lower back during your gym work. If you are using too high a resistance, or your technique is incorrect, a lot of strain can be placed on the lower lumber spine and pelvis, causing it to become inflamed and commonly referring pain into the buttocks. In this situation, the lower back may stiffen up soon after your gym session or by the next morning.
Running will aggravate things further as the jarring is taken by the lower back, further irritating it and causing more inflammation, which can lead to pain referring into the buttock.
Firstly, get a qualified instructor to look at your strength-training programme and technique. They’ll be able to tell you whether the ways you are performing the exercises are contributing to your injury, and they should be able to show you how to reduce the physical strain on the injured area.
Of course, it would also be a good idea to see a chartered physiotherapist or a registered osteopath for a full examination of the painful area. They’ll be able to isolate the injured muscle and diagnose the problem, give you a course of treatment and advise on the appropriate exercises to help prevent recurrence.
—Cameron Reid, registered osteopath
Discuss this story
nuala atkey
I can relate to your injury, I haven't had a proper run since the end of january.
I have a deep pain in my left buttock, my glutes are not tight, had several sessions with physio, he has diagnosed an ischial bursa, he has explained that the bursa is a fluid filled sack which has become imflamed.
I've done stretches, take ibuprofen, rested, and it still comes back if I attempt to run. Physio has now refered me to a consult for injection.
I've had to miss a couple of 10k events due to this injury, and I'm v frustrated.
When I rest, it improves when walking but if I run it comes on again.
It's a deep sharp pain.
doing gym work to try and keep a bit of fitness, had 10mins on treadmill last night, and it started hurting again
Anybody had this injury? how long did it take to shift, and what was the treatment?
Posted: 07/04/2005 08:50
old thread I know.... i had to give up last years FLM due to back, bum, glute problems... nearly a year on and 6 mths of no running a 4 mths of a lot of core work in the gym I am able to waddle again. Wth the help of new inserts from the podiatrist recently my achilles, calfs and back ache have improved dramtically - however the tight glute hasnt. this has been the constant issue over the past year. had an mri on my back last year - half thinking of having one done on my bum if nothing improves
Posted: 27/09/2009 16:14
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