Do sharp pains in your hip make it difficult to get up in the mornings, move about during the day, and lie back down at night? Do you ever feel unstable and painful, as if you may fall over without warning? Hip joint pain can seriously interfere with your life; however, physical therapy can help get to the root of your problem safely and comfortably, without the need for harmful drugs or surgery. Contact G3 Physical Therapy & Wellness Center today to schedule your appointment` with one of our Encinitas physical therapists and find hip pain relief!
Why do I have hip joint pain?
Your hip is a ball-and-socket joint that works to support the weight of your upper body, relying on multiple muscles and tissues to keep it mobile and stable so it can function properly.
Pain felt in the hips may originate in the joints themselves, but it may also be a result of an underlying condition in another part of the body. For example, your hips are part of a kinetic chain, meaning they make up a combination of weight-bearing joints that must function with other parts of the body in harmony (such as the knees), in order for your body and posture to function properly.
This means that while you may be feeling pain in your hip, the problem could actually be rooted in a different part of your body. Therefore, a problem with your knee joint may transmit painful signals to your hips, and vice versa. If one part of the kinetic chain is out of balance, stress and deterioration may be placed on another.
What causes hip pain?
Overuse injuries, such as tendinitis and chronic muscle strain, are common in the hips because they are constantly in use. However, the hips may also be subject to acute injuries, such as sprains, strains, and dislocation.
Hip pain can also be affected by referred pain from a pinched sciatic nerve, as the nerve travels through the area. Imbalances in your stance or gait may cause abnormal stresses and premature wear-and-tear in your hips, resulting in painful symptoms or arthritis.
The Mayo Clinic states that cartilage injuries, known as labral tears, are specific to hip pain. However, painful injuries that cause instability in the hips can also affect parts of the body that are located in the same kinetic chain. For example, tight hip flexor muscles and weak gluteus medius muscles can cause the hip to rotate inward without you realizing it. This can cause painful problems such as iliotibial band friction syndrome.
Additional causes of hip joint pain may include fractures, bursitis, certain cancers, or avascular necrosis (also known as osteonecrosis). Avascular necrosis is a condition that occurs when blood flow to the hip bones slows down, causing the bone tissues to die. This condition happens most commonly in the hips and can develop as a result of a dislocation, fracture, or long-term use of high-dose steroids.
How will physical therapy help find hip pain relief?
The physical therapy treatments at G3 Physical Therapy & Wellness Center can help to find hip pain relief. In many cases, it can even relieve it altogether, sparing you the need for potentially harmful medication or surgical correction. Our Encinitas physical therapists will examine your hips for signs of misalignment or structural damage, in addition to examining your stance, posture, gait, and range of motion. After your physical exam is complete, our physical therapists will prescribe a physical therapy plan for you, aimed at relieving unnatural stresses and strains, and normalizing your joint function.
You will be given targeted exercises designed for relieving hip joint pain and stabilizing weak hip tissues. The exercises may vary depending on your condition. You may also be given exercises designed to strengthen the core, including your lower back muscle groups, lower abdominal muscle groups, or pelvic muscles. Core exercises are aimed at straightening your posture and equalizing the weight load on both sides of your body. Additional specialized treatments may also be added as our physical therapists deem fit, such as ice and heat therapies, laser therapy, massage therapy, or other soft tissue treatments that relieve pain and promote the healing of damaged hip tissues.
It is time to take a stand against your hip pain. Contact Us Today at Encinitas, CA Center to speak with one of our dedicated Encinitas physical therapists, and get started on the path toward long-lasting pain relief. Your hips will be glad you did!