173. Hip flexor pain in runners: Diagnosis, myths, and rehab. Physio Edge Track record: Running repairs podcast with Tom Goom
Release Date: 08/06/2025
Physio Edge podcast
Patellofemoral pain (PFP) rehabilitation doesn’t end when your patient gets stronger. The real challenge is getting them back to running, training and racing without triggering another flare-up. In this final episode of the four-part series, Tom Goom (Running Physio) and David Pope explore the fourth pillar of successful PFP rehabilitation: a planned return to running. Continuing Alice’s journey from the previous episodes, a HYROX athlete preparing for competition, Tom and David break down exactly how to rebuild running volume, progress training safely, and help runners hit their goals,...
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Strengthening exercises are a key part of successful patellofemoral pain (PFP) rehabilitation. Squats, lunges and single leg squats are often painful early on and can aggravate your patients pain, but on the flip side, we want to build up their tolerance and confidence with these movements. If you introduce an exercise your patient isn’t ready for, progress too quickly, or overload the knee too early, you’ll often flare your patients pain and set their rehabilitation back. In this episode, Tom Goom (Running Physio) and David Pope explore the third pillar of successful PFP treatment:...
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Patellofemoral pain (PFP) is one of the most common running injuries, and the high recurrence rate can make it a frustrating injury for patients to experience and clinicians to treat. In this episode, Tom Goom (Running Physio) and David Pope break down why PFP has such a high recurrence rate, and what most rehab plans miss. You’ll also discover: The "Four pillars" framework Tom uses to treat PFP and other running injuries How and when to keep patients running or exercising when it is essential for their mental health and social life How to find a manageable starting point when a...
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Anterior hip pain is often blamed on the hip flexors, but in runners, that’s rarely the diagnosis. So how can you identify the real cause and guide patients to a safe, effective recovery? In this episode, Tom Goom (Running Physio) explores the function of the hip flexors in running, key differentials for anterior hip or groin pain, and practical rehab strategies you can use right away. You’ll discover: Why true hip flexor tendinopathy is uncommon in endurance runners Red flags and key tests to identify bone stress fractures and intra‑articular pathology Early‑stage loading strategies...
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Your patient presents with shoulder pain, and straight away you need to identify: Is it rotator cuff related shoulder pain, frozen shoulder, instability, or something else entirely? Is it rotator cuff related shoulder pain, frozen shoulder, instability, or something else entirely? Is the pain actually coming from the shoulder? Could it be the cervical spine? Is there a tear that needs urgent referral? Should you order imaging? Refer to a surgeon? Or confidently continue with rehab? In this podcast, Jo Gibson (Upper Limb Rehabilitation Specialist Physio) guides you through a simple,...
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Your patient is running, playing sport, or jumping or lunging forward - an activity with fast eccentric or concentric activity in dorsiflexion,and suddenly they feel like they’ve been kicked in the back of the leg. They might hear a snap and have difficulty weightbearing, walking and pushing off. What’s your likely diagnosis? You picked it - an Achilles tendon (AT) rupture. AT ruptures are a devastating injury that can drastically impact a patient’s ability to walk, run, or return to sport. Despite their frequency, there’s a lot of uncertainty among clinicians, patients, and even...
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Anterior hip pain is often blamed on the hip flexors, but in runners, that’s rarely the diagnosis. So how can you identify the real cause and guide patients to a safe, effective recovery?
In this episode, Tom Goom (Running Physio) explores the function of the hip flexors in running, key differentials for anterior hip or groin pain, and practical rehab strategies you can use right away.
You’ll discover:
- Why true hip flexor tendinopathy is uncommon in endurance runners
- Red flags and key tests to identify bone stress fractures and intra‑articular pathology
- Early‑stage loading strategies that protect the tendon from aggravation
- The role of the adductors, trunk, and synergistic muscles in successful rehab
- Common myths and misconceptions around hip flexors
- How to progress rehab to sport‑specific drills and return to running
If you’re a physiotherapist or health professional treating runners, this episode gives you research‑backed, clinically reasoned strategies to assess and manage hip flexor pain with confidence.
Timestamps:
- 00:00 - Intro
- 03:35 - Hip flexor function
- 06:56 - Tip 1 - Is it a hip flexor tendinopathy?
- 09:48 - Tip 2 - Rehab of hip flexors
- 11:35 - Tip 3 - Other muscle groups to include in rehab
- 13:08 - Common misconceptions
- 13:37 - 1. Pronation
- 14:49 - 2. Firing order
- 16:13 - 3. Weak transversus abdominis
- 17:12 - 4. Rib alignment and breathing patterns
🔗 Free Webinar Alert! Don't miss out on our free webinars for therapists on shin pain and Achilles tendinopathy in runners. Check the link in the description for more information.
Free running injury assessment & treatment video series available now
Improve running injury assessment & treatment now with the Running Repairs Online course with Tom Goom at clinicaledge.co/runningrepairs.
Get free access to the "Tricky tendons" infographic series
Unlock the secrets of successful tendinopathy assessment and treatment with this free infographic series for therapists.
Article associated with this episode:
- Click here to download your podcast handout
- Lenhart R, Thelen D, Heiderscheit B. Hip muscle loads during running at various step rates. journal of orthopaedic & sports physical therapy. 2014 Oct;44(10):766-A4.
Links associated with this episode:
- Free Achilles tendinopathy videos
- Discover the simple secrets to successfully treat tendon pain in this free three part video series with Tom Goom
- Improve your confidence and clinical reasoning with a free trial Clinical Edge membership
- Join Tom live on Facebook & ask your shoulder related questions every Friday
- Download and subscribe to the podcast on iTunes
- Download the podcast now using the best podcast app currently in existence - Overcast
- Listen to the podcast on Spotify
- Tom Goom on Twitter
- Tom Goom’s website
- David Pope - Twitter
- David Pope & why I started Clinical Edge
- Review the podcast on iTunes
- Infographics by Clinical Edge









