Walking up the stairs or simply rising up off of the sofa may be actions you take for granted. For those who suffer from hip flexor strain and pain, these actions can become extremely painful, sometimes even impossible. Lifting the knee towards your chest or body and bending at the waist all require muscles known as hip flexors. They include muscles called iliacus and psoas major, as well as the rectus femoris, which is actually part of your quadriceps. These muscles are attached to tendons, which in turn, connect them to your bones, so when you cause strain to these areas, then the damage performed can cause a great deal of pain.
If the hip flexor area continues to be damaged with overextended use or injury, then the lasting damage could become dire. How does this strain occur? Typically, when you overuse these muscles, just like with any muscle that you overwork, it becomes sore and stiff. Since these muscles are typically used for more than just exercise, for everyday movement for example, then the likelihood of their being strained is high. However, there is an increase in risk for those who are cyclists, dancers, athletes, martial artists, and those who perform step aerobics at a considerable amount. All of these activities require extended use of the hip flexor muscles and thus can lead to strain. To ensure you don't permanently injure yourself, understand the following symptoms to determine if you're suffering from hip flexor pain.
