Expert: Dr. Paul Newhart - 5/12/2009

Question
In August I was working a job which required heavy lifting, I one day had so
much pain in my left hip area that I was barely able to drive my car home. I
went to the doctor and had my back and hip looked at. The MRI came back
and nothing was unusual about my vertebrate, and my doctor said it may be
a hip flexor. Since August, I have continued to deal with more pain in the hip
and groin area. It has also seriously affected the way I walk, because I have
favored my right leg so much. I am once again having shooting pains, and
also numbness in my left shin/leg area, and at times barely able to stand
when up on my leg for a long amount of time. Any help on what this could be  
would be much appreciated.

Answer
I would start with a stretch of the Psoas/Iliacus muscles.  Both, when in spasm, can give you the symptoms you describe.  I would also suggest a good chiropractor to address the issue.  Although the MRI came back negative, that means negative from a fracture/pathology point of view.  You can have a misalignment causing mechanical problems, leading to the muscle tightness and pain you describe.  A good chiropractor should be able to asses, treat, and help you rehab the problem.