Physical Therapy Can Support Your Journey to Optimal Hip and Knee Health
Do you struggle with discomfort in your hips and knees, affecting your ability to move and participate in your favorite activities? At Kintsugi Physical Therapy & Wellness in Normandy Park, our physical therapists are here to support you on your journey to finding relief and restoring your mobility.
Hips and knees play a vital role in our ability to perform daily tasks and engage in physical activity. When our hips and knees aren’t functioning optimally, it can cause strain on the joints, leading to pain and limited movement.
At Kintsugi Physical Therapy & Wellness in Normandy Park, our physical therapists will assess the area of pain or discomfort and the surrounding regions and how they might be contributing to the problem. They will also evaluate your overall movement patterns and medical history to get a complete picture of your function. Next, we will address any limitations to ensure you avoid a more serious problem down the road.
Book your appointment with one of our highly trained physical therapists today!
Exploring the underlying causes of hip and knee pain
Hip and knee pain can stem from various factors, including injuries or impairments to the joints and muscles surrounding them. When these joints and muscles aren’t functioning correctly, it can create compensations and lead to a cycle of pain and inactivity. The most common causes of hip and knee pain include:
- Sprains and strains
- Osteoarthritis
- Overuse/repetitive stress injuries
- Cartilage injuries (i.e., knee meniscus or hip labrum)
Hip pain can be caused by injury or strain to the joint or surrounding soft tissues, such as muscles, tendons, and ligaments. A sprain is a tear in a ligament, the tissue that connects bones. A strain is an injury to a muscle or tendon, which are the tissues that connect muscles to bones.
Pain in the hip or groin area is usually related to a joint issue. In contrast, pain in the outer aspect of the hip, upper thigh, or buttock region is typically associated with muscles. Knee pain on the inner aspect is often a result of joint injury or degeneration. In contrast, pain on the outside or top of the knee cap is often due to muscular imbalances or tendon issues.
Osteoarthritis is a condition that occurs when the cartilage in a joint wears away, leading to pain, stiffness, and decreased range of motion. In the hip or knee, osteoarthritis can cause significant discomfort and limit a person’s ability to perform daily activities like walking and climbing stairs.
It’s worth noting that conditions such as arthritis and repetitive stress injuries are more prevalent in those who have suffered joint injuries or are overweight. Overuse or repetitive stress injuries of the hip can result from repeating the same movement patterns or activities over time, leading to microtrauma and eventually causing pain and disability.
Overuse or repetitive stress injuries are joint in the hip, particularly in athletes who engage in repetitive movements such as running. Common examples of overuse hip injuries include hip bursitis, snapping hip syndrome, and tendinopathies.
Injuries to the knee meniscus or the hip joint labrum can occur due to overuse, trauma, or degenerative changes in the joints. Symptoms of a cartilage injury may include pain, clicking, popping, or catching and locking up. It is also common for there to be swelling and a decreased range of motion in the joints.
Early interventions with a physical therapist can help prevent or mitigate these conditions. Our Kintsugi Physical Therapy & Wellness physical therapists will use their expertise to assess your symptoms and determine the root cause of your pain.
What to expect at your Kintsugi Physical Therapy & Wellness visits
At Kintsugi Physical Therapy & Wellness in Normandy Park, our licensed physical therapists are movement specialists who assess your joints, muscles, balance and walking to identify any restrictions or abnormalities. They can create a personalized treatment plan to improve your strength, coordination, and overall mobility by pinpointing these areas.
Our physical therapists use holistic strategies to provide the most comprehensive treatments to help you resolve your pain and restore your function. We strongly emphasize education and exercise selection as critical components of a successful outcome.
Our Normandy Park physical therapists will work with you to reduce pain, improve your range of motion, and regain strength. Treatment may include exercises, manual therapy, and modalities such as ice or heat therapy.
Your treatment plan will be tailored to your needs to help you achieve optimal function with the least effort. Our dedicated team is committed to your ongoing well-being and helping you reclaim a healthy lifestyle from start to finish.
Request an appointment today!
Don’t let hip and knee pain hold you back any longer. Contact Kintsugi Physical Therapy & Wellness in Normandy Park today to schedule an appointment with one of our specialists and start your journey to optimal hip and knee health.