Halting Hip Pain
- Posted on: Sep 3 2013
We all take walking or climbing stairs for granted, but for some, these everyday activities become daunting.
About one-quarter of all adults develop inflammation of the hip joint—also known as osteoarthritis—by age 85, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. There’s no known cause for the condition; we’re all at risk. Here’s what you need to know:
Why does arthritis cause hip pain?
An injury to or inflammation in a joint causes shock-absorbing cartilage in the hip to break down. As a result, the joint becomes painful and swollen. This can lead to stiffness and more pain.
What are the symptoms?
You’ll experience either sharp, shooting pain or dull, achy pain in the hip, groin, thigh, knee or buttocks. You might also notice your hips are stiffer after sleeping or sitting. You may have a tough time getting out of bed, standing from a sitting position, walking or climbing stairs. It might also be difficult to do simple activities like putting on your socks and shoes.
How is it diagnosed?
A physical therapist will ask you questions about when and how frequently you experience pain and/or stiffness—and what everyday activities are affected by your symptoms. He or she may also perform certain tests.
What is the treatment?
You can reduce your pain through acupuncture, ice, heat, ultrasound, electrical stimulation, exercises and hands-on techniques like massage. A physical therapist can help improve your strength and range of motion through certain exercises. For example, we might gently move your leg and hip joint—and stretch the muscles surrounding the joint—to help restore normal movement. Eventually, we will teach you exercises you can do on your own. To help you become stronger, we might recommend that you lift weights, use resistance bands or ride a stationary bike. Finally, we will come up with a plan to help you return to your everyday activities—without pain.
If you want to learn more about how physical therapy or acupuncture can help with hip pain, contact us here.
Tagged with: acupuncture, hip pain, osteoarthritis, physical therapy
Posted in: Acupuncture, All Posts, Hip/ SI Joint
