How can I make this hip injury go away without taking time away from gymnastics?

I am 13 years old, a level 8 in gymnastics and I am putting 20 hours into the gym a week. I don't have time to take off, because we have a big meets in October and November, then our competition season start in January. A few months ago, my hip started hurting. I went to the doctor, and he said it was just a pulled ligament, and to take the stress off of it for a while. I stopped doing anything that hurt it [punching the springboard for vault, tumbling, any thing that bent my hips forward [like in a backbend] and splits [my right hip hurts in splits when it is behind me] for two weeks. I did strengthening exercises and the pain stopped completely, so I eased back into my normal routine. Now my hip is hurting again.... and worse than it did the first time. Like I said, I don't have time to take off, or take it easy like I did last time... but I don't want to turn this into a permanent injury. Is there anything I can do to speed the recovery? Is this really just a pulled ligament?

the reason i cant take time off, is because i told my coach about the injury, and he said "you don't have time to take off. if you do, you might as well find another gym"

You need to find another coach. The one you have obviously doesn't care about problems not treating an injury can cause.

You need to take time off. Your hip is not going to improve if you continue at your level and at the number of hours you practice each week.

I used to do gymnastics (I quit when I was 13...it was not worth the stress on my growing body). I'm only 37 and already have osteoarthritis in my spine. My bones are also unsually thin for a woman my age and size. That is another side effect from gymnastics.

You have probably strained the ligament again. It will not heal if you don't rest it. That means stopping gymnastics for a while. I don't think you realize the future side effects that will occur if you don't let this injury heal. Look at other elite gymnasts...many of whom are still nursing injuries that happened years ago...because they kept on when they should have been resting. Yes, they had their moments of glory...but at what cost? Is it really worth all that to you?

I have a strong feeling that you can easily turn this in to a permanent injury that will end your gymnastics career forever. You need to go back to the doctor for further evaluation. It's possible that you have done even more damage already by not stopping and resting and letting the injury fully heal.

It's up to you...I hope you will make the right choice. You won't be a gymnast forever...think about your future.

EMT

if you want to continue with gymnastics you have to let the injury heal or else you risk further damage to that. If you dont have time to take off now when will you? Time to make a grown up decision...is getting into a competition where you may not do so well because of an injury worth more than your health...if you say yes then it may be time to find something else to base your life on. Go to your doctor and tell him exactly whats going on and see what he says and then follow it!