Don't worry about not being able to kick high with a side kick, it's much more effective as a body shot anyway. Same with turning back kick.
Unusual that a MT club teaches it but they must see a use for it, and there is, so don't worry about it too much. If they start teaching you to spar a la Olympic TKD then be worried!! It's s pretty good kick, but the problem is your body ends up quite side on as you do it and does put you in a vulnerable position should you miss your opponent or not hit correctly.
As for your pains, talk to your instructors and maybe talk to a doc or physio about it. It shouldn't hurt you to do the kick, but as Hardball said, look at you warm up and stretching routine. Maybe you aren't warming up and stretching the appropriate area enough.
Good luck.
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"Too much weights, not enough speed work"
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