After a day of rest didn't bring any improvement in the long run, and then a worsening of the pain when I packed my things on Monday, I have decided not to hike any further. I don't think visiting a physical therapist can help enough to enable me to continue hiking (though I will visit them when I'm done in the Netherlands). I think that I overstrained my hip because of my aching back, and that it needs rest as well as treatment. I've moved to a hostel in Milano and been giving my body a lot of rest since, and it still doesn't help.
So the only option I have left is to go back to the Netherlands. I've changed my train ticket to go back a few days early, arranged a place to sleep in those few days (as I don't have a house), and made an appointment with a physical therapist the day I return.
Having this much pain, hiking just isn't fun. I'm very tired of following the roads to spare my body climbing and (more painful) descending, and every step hurts. It's better to save this bit of the route for the next time, when I'll be able to follow the hiking paths and enjoy the surroundings.
It sucks a lot to have to make this decision, but I don't really have a choice anymore. And I did reach Italy, and crossed the Alps, which was absolutely amazing (besides very demanding). Even though on the map it looks like very little progress for the time I had scheduled for this trip, I did do something very significant.

Geschreven door Jewaontheroad