Physical Therapy for Hip Pain
Hip pain is hard to define. Despite many adults suffering from hip pain, finding the source can be tricky. That’s because a lot of hip pain is considered referred pain or radiated pain, which is when pain from another area, such as the spine or knees, shows up in the hip. Whatever the cause, physical therapy for hip pain may be beneficial to control symptoms and improve overall functional mobility.
What Causes Hip Pain
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 7 percent of U.S. adults suffer from hip pain. In fact, hip pain is the third most common joint pain behind shoulder and knee pain.
Over a lifetime, humans put a lot of wear and tear on the hip joint. Women have more hip pain than men, which could be due to alignment issues that place excessive strain on the hip joint and ligaments. Obesity can also be a risk factor. The reasons for hip pain differ for every individual.
Hip pain can be caused by a wide range of factors. As a weight-bearing joint, arthritis can be a common hip problem. Often, hip pain stems from repetitive strain in activities such as running, spinning and other sports. Interestingly, we are seeing a growing prevalence of young athletes dealing with hip injuries, particularly females.
According to a study published in the International Journal of Sports Physical Therapy, restricted hip mobility is correlated with hip pain, as well as pain in the knees and the lower back. The body will try to find a way around the problem, resulting in referred pain. If you don’t have optimal mobility in your hips, and your activity requires it, your body is going to look for that mobility from somewhere else in your body.
Physical Therapy Treatment Can Help to Restore Hip Function and Reduce Hip Pain
Pain in the hip can limit normal daily activities, such as walking, standing up from a seated position, climbing stairs, etc. Aside from chronic conditions or fracture, hip pain can be significantly alleviated with self-care, such as stretching, losing excess weight and progressive exercises.
In the past, RICE (rest, ice, compression and elevation) was the common prescription to treat hip pain. While this still has its place, studies now show that the best way to speed up recovery is to get moving as soon as possible. For this reason, doctors now prescribe physical therapy for hip pain to keep the patient active and prevent the injured area from atrophying. When compared to surgery, studies show that access to physical therapy can result in a more positive outcome, requiring less medication and reduced medical costs.
Your physical therapy treatment plan should focus on decreasing pain, improving range of motion in the hips, increasing strength and restoring mobility.
Can Physical Therapy Prevent Hip Pain?
The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons recommends a moderate fitness schedule balanced among aerobic, anaerobic, and flexibility exercises. Begin exercises of short durations and slowly progress to a moderate intensity of exercise that can be sustained.
Physical therapy isn’t just for the injured. In your preventative consultation, physical therapists can identify muscle weaknesses or other imbalances that could lead to hip pain or injury. If a problem is determined, your therapist will offer corrective exercises to keep a small issue from turning into something more serious, saving you a lot of pain and money later.
Hip Pain? Find Relief at Twin Boro Physical Therapy
At Twin Boro, our Physical Therapists have experience in selecting the best treatment options for your hip pain. Our goal is to help you find relief fast and restore hip function so you can get back to doing what you love. Even small improvements can make a significant difference in pain levels, the ability to move and quality of life.
If you’re experiencing hip pain, we invite you to schedule your no-obligation appointment at one of our 23 convenient New Jersey clinics. At Twin Boro, we take the time to properly evaluate and treat patients dealing with different hip conditions to help them find the relief they need, fast.
Call us at1-732-444-3578 to schedule your appointment today.
Twin Boro Physical Therapy: Voted Readers’ Choice Best of New Jersey
Voted Readers’ Choice Best of New Jersey, Twin Boro has provided NJ residents with high quality physical therapy and rehab for over 39 years! It’s our award-winning approach, proven results and reputation that sets us apart. By incorporating the One2Four program into each patient’s program, the latest and most reliable scientific research and techniques are incorporated into effective evidence-based practice. We deliver only the highest standard of care with the unique One2Four approach.
It’s no surprise that Twin Boro Physical Therapy has also been voted the best physical therapy practice in New Jersey by the readers of mycentraljersey.com.
