Explainer | Do you have pelvis pain when you run? You might have osteitis pubis, a common overuse injury
- Pain in your pelvis, which can be so bad it even hurts when you sneeze or cough, could be a sign of an overuse injury and a weak core
- There are several simple preventions and treatments for osteitis pubis
A common injury for runners is osteitis pubis, but because it’s in the pelvis and not the knees or ankles, it is ignored or not associated with running at all. So it never gets properly treated or given time to heal.
What is osteitis pubis and what causes it
Osteitis pubis is an inflammation where the left and right pubic bones meet. The bone and the soft tissues become inflamed, causing discomfort or pain.
A number of muscles that are crucial to running meet here, including the lower abdominal muscles and the hip flexors.
It is an overuse injury. If you are running too much, or running with too much intensity, compared with your experience and fitness, it causes inflammation.
Overuse is a term relative to each runner. You can be more susceptible to overuse injuries if you are weak, or stronger on one side than the other, or have old shoes or bad running technique.
Symptoms of osteitis pubis
There can be a dull pain in the centre of your pelvis, even when sitting down. It can be very painful. There are a number of symptoms.
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Pain at the centre of the pelvis is the most common symptom.
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For runners, it can be painful to run, or even walk.
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The pain can feel like it is at the bottom of the abs.
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When it’s very bad, a cough or sneeze can send a sharp pain through your pelvis.
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Perhaps there is the feeling of “popping” when you move, or maybe clicking.
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Lying on your side can cause pain because of the weight on the pelvis.
