Common Sources of Hip Pain (And What We Can Do About Them)
April Newsletter
Have you noticed a persistent discomfort in your hip? Is impaired hip mobility making it difficult for you to handle day-to-day tasks? Hip pain isn’t something you have to live with. But to resolve your pain, you’ll need to identify why you’re experiencing pain in the first place.
At Kintsugi Physical Therapy & Wellness, our team of musculoskeletal experts can help you determine the root cause of your hip pain. Whether it’s an underlying injury or a chronic condition like arthritis, we’ll get you the answers you need — and the relief you deserve!
Today, we want to explore some common causes of hip pain and give you some insight into how physical therapy can help. But if you’re currently dealing with hip pain, your best bet is to call us to schedule an initial consultation. Our team can give you personalized guidance to return to an active, healthy lifestyle!
Why Do My Hips Hurt? Common Hip Injuries and Conditions
If you’re an older adult, your hip pain might stem from osteoarthritis, which occurs when the cartilage in a joint starts to degenerate. The hips are one of the more common locations for OA. Symptoms include…
- Pain in the hip and/or groin
- Stiffness in the hip joint, especially after you haven’t moved it for a while
- A sense of weakness in your legs
Your hip is a ball-and-socket joint. When the ball part of the joint pinches up against the socket part, you can develop hip impingement. It’s most common in young, active people. Watch out for…
- Pain in the hip joint and discomfort elsewhere in the general area (groin, thighs, lower back)
- Sharp stabbing pain when using your hip (i.e., squatting, running, etc)
- Symptoms that gradually develop over time
Your labrum is a ring of cartilage that protects your hip socket. A labral tear occurs when that cartilage tears, often due to overuse or a hip impingement. Symptoms include…
- A persistent, dull ache that feels like it comes from deep inside your hip
- Sharp, stabbing pains when using your hip
- Clicking or popping sounds when using your hip
- A feeling of instability in the hip
A hip strain occurs when the muscles or tendons that support your hip joint become damaged. Your exact symptoms will vary somewhat based on the severity of the strain, but in general, you can expect…
- Pain, especially when using the affected muscle
- Swelling
- Limited range of motion
- Muscle weakness
Hip sprains can also occur, but they tend to be rare. A sprain affects the ligaments in your hip (the tissue that connects the joint). Symptoms are similar to a strain, but you might also experience a sense of the joint buckling under your weight.
Don’t Ignore Your Joint Pain!
You notice a faint twinge in your hip whenever you squat down. It’s not severe, and it goes away once you stand back up. No big deal, right?
But then you start to notice the pain more frequently, like when you go for a run or work in your garden. It’s also started to get worse. Suddenly, you’re not so sure you can just ignore it.
This scenario probably sounds familiar. Most of us have ignored pain at some point in our lives. And sometimes, the pain does go away on its own. But there are circumstances when you shouldn’t ignore joint pain. In those situations, schedule an appointment at Kintsugi Physical Therapy & Wellness.
When Joint Pain Requires Action
Here’s a handy checklist to let you know when you should visit our physical therapists to get your pain checked out:
Remember, joint pain is your body’s way of telling you something’s wrong — it’s not something you have to live with, even if you’re older. A consultation at Kintsugi Physical Therapy & Wellness can get to the bottom of things and help you find relief.
What We Can Do to Address Your Hip Pain
Of course, identifying the cause of your hip pain is only the first step in addressing it. Once we know why you’re experiencing pain, we can develop a personalized treatment plan for your needs.
If you’ve suffered a hip injury, we’ll guide you through rehabilitation. Sometimes, physical therapy alone is enough to resolve the injury; other times, you may need medical intervention. Either way, here’s what you can expect:
- Drug-free pain management techniques (such as manual therapy)
- Early mobility work to help improve your range of motion
- Exercises to restore strength and stability
- Targeted balance and gait training
- Activity-specific training (especially if you’re an athlete)
If you’ve developed osteoarthritis, we can help you manage your symptoms and delay the progression of your condition. OA doesn’t have a cure, but physical therapy is considered a frontline treatment to help you avoid a total hip replacement. Your treatment plan may include…
- Manual therapy to help reduce pain and improve mobility
- A personalized exercise program to help you stay active (regular exercise is one of the best ways to manage osteoarthritis)
- Balance and gait training to help reduce your fall risk
- Activity modifications and other strategies to help you manage discomfort throughout the day
No matter the reason for your hip pain, the Kintsugi Physical Therapy & Wellness therapists will find a solution that works for you. Call us today to schedule an appointment to get started on your journey to hip pain relief!
Sources: https://www.choosept.com/guide/physical-therapy-guide-to-osteoarthritis-of-hip, https://www.choosept.com/guide/physical-therapy-guide-hip-impingement-femoroacetabular, https://www.physio-pedia.com/Hip_Labral_Disorders, https://orthoinfo.aaos.org/en/diseases–conditions/hip-strains/
https://www.choosept.com/guide/physical-therapy-guide-carpal-tunnel-syndrome
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Honey and Almond Nougat
- 2 edible wafer paper (cut the size of the pan)
- 1 cup (250 ml) sugar
- 1/2 cup (125 ml) honey
- 1/4 cup (60 ml) water
- 1 egg white
- 1 1/2 cups (375 ml) blanched almonds (skinless), roasted
- Line a lightly oiled 20 X 10-cm (8 X 4-inch) loaf pan with plastic wrap and oil lightly. Line the bottom of the pan with a sheet of edible wafer paper. Set aside.
- In a saucepan, bring the sugar, honey, and water to a boil. Cook without stirring until a candy thermometer reads 150 °C (302 °F). Remove from the heat.
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Exercise of the Month
Bridging
(Glutes, Lower Back, Hamstrings)
Begin on your back. Bend your knees and keep your back flat on the ground. Gently, contract your abdominals and hold to keep your back flat as you move up into the bridge position. Remember to breathe. Gently, squeeze your butt muscles and lift your hips off the ground. The goal is to have your hips aligned with your knees and shoulders. Hold for 5 seconds. 3 Sets, 10 Reps.
“From a frozen shoulder to pain-free mobility, this place is a fantastic wellness hub!”
“I started coming here a couple of years ago for a frozen shoulder, and since then I have regained pain-free mobility. It is a fantastic place for physical therapy and continued wellness via massage therapy and follow-on activities, such as seasonal yoga and gentle aerobics with light weights. Bryce is awesome as a massage therapist and class instructor!”
Sue Y.
