Hip pain is a very common problem which can cause difficulty with many daily activities. A common complaint is pain localized to the hip joint and muscles surrounding the joint. Some people also experience stiffness in and around the hip and the lower back.
Impacts on Our Lives:
Hip pain causes difficulty moving the joint and generalized weakness in the affected leg. When dealing with pain or stiffness in your hip, it can create difficulty:
- Walking
- Going up or down stairs
- Squatting
- Standing up from a chair
- Prolonged sitting
- Prolonged standing
Significant stiffness in our hips, also creates difficulty with tasks such as sitting with our legs crossed, putting on shoes and socks, and getting in and out of our car. These restrictions limit our normal daily routine and can become a serious problem.
Common Causes and Symptoms:
Hip problems can stem from many causes.
Some of the most common hip injuries include:
- Arthritis
- Labral tears
- Muscle strains
Regardless of the injury, inflammation is typically present which will contribute to stiffness, decreased range of motion, muscle weakness and pain. Prolonged inflammation will cause slowed tissue healing and can start to negatively affect the tendons, ligaments and muscles that surround the hip.
Muscle weakness will cause your movement mechanics to change and put increased stress on your knee and back or your opposite hip. The longer you experience symptoms, the weaker and stiffer your hip can become, further limiting your mobility.
How PT Helps:
The good news is that there are many treatment options for hip pain. A majority of hip problems can be resolved with physical therapy with no need for surgery, prescription medications or injections. Physical therapy will help will help decrease your pain and improve your mobility regardless if you have been experiencing pain for days or years.
At Loudoun Sports Therapy Center, our expert physical therapists will teach you specific strengthening and stretching exercises, that will help restore normal muscle balance in your legs and off load your hips resulting in improved mechanics and decreased pain. They will also teach you proper movement patterns to ensure proper alignment and resolve or prevent hip problems that are negatively affecting your life.
