Health blog Category: Hip
IT Band Syndrome or Lower Body Discomfort Impacting Activities
By Cierra Washington, ATC
You’ve probably heard of IT Band syndrome. But what is it exactly? Let’s start with the name. The ‘IT’ refers to the iliotibial band that runs along the outer portion of the thigh. When people refer to the IT band, they often have the misconception that it’s a muscle. Actually, the IT band is the long tendon of the tensor fascia latae (TFL). The TFL performs multiple hip functions and also helps stabilize our torsos.
Difficulty standing up from a chair
By: Rachel Herrmann, DPT, PT
The hip joint is one of the most stable joints in the body, but unfortunately that does not keep this joint and region of the body from developing issues and producing pain. There are multiple structures in and around the hip joint that can produce pain in this area of the body:
- Labrum– the ring of cartilage around the rim of the socket of the hip joint.
Have a lack of flexibility or poor body mechanics?
Hip problems are a common complaint we treat Loudoun Sports Therapy Center and it can affect all ages and activity levels. Many hip problems are often the result of an overuse injury and can interfere with your daily activities making walking, standing or even sitting painful or challenging.
Three common hip problems are: osteoarthritis, bursitis, and tendinitis.
- Osteoarthritis happens when the cartilage in your hip joint becomes damaged from wear and tear over the years.
Lasting relief for this weight-bearing joint
Hip pain affects people from all walks of life. Unfortunately, because the hip is a weight bearing joint, most people find difficulty in creating lasting relief for their symptoms.
The most common symptoms of hip issues include pain in either the front, side or back of the hip. The pain may also localize in the lower back, groin or buttocks. When this happens, it common for people to ignore the actual hip joint and therefore, not address the inherent weakness or tightness or poor mechanics of this joint that is causing these issues.
Ever wince with discomfort when standing up from a chair?
Hip pain is a very common problem which can cause difficulty with many daily activities. People often come to physical therapy with different complaints involving the hip. The number one 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. This causes difficulty moving the joint and generalized weakness in the affected leg. When you are dealing with pain or stiffness in your hip, it can create difficulty performing the following activities:
- Walking
- Going up or down stairs
- Squatting
- Standing up from a chair
- Prolonged sitting
- Prolonged standing
When a patient is feeling significant stiffness in their hips, they can also start to experience difficulty with tasks such as sitting with their legs crossed, putting on shoes and socks, and getting in and out of the car.
Read full blogEver not know how an ache started?
Believe it or not, your hips play a large role in the health of your back and limited hip mobility can cause back pain. Do you have an aching back at the end of the day and wonder where the source of your pain is coming from? You are not alone! More than 80 percent of the population will suffer from back pain at least once in their life, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control.
Read full blogIs discomfort getting in the way of your exercise plan?
By: Devin Wurman, DPT
In physical therapy we see a lot of hip injuries. These injuries range from bursitis to fractures to replacements. Some injuries happen to healthy joints, while others occur in the elderly due to osteoporosis or because of congenital deformities. Either way, physical therapy can be beneficial and help strengthen the muscles around the injury, improve balance, and help patients return to normal function whether it is walking around without an device or return to sport.
Increased Activity this Time of Year?
Hip pain is a very common problem we treat here at Loudoun Sports Therapy Center and it can result in difficulty with many daily activities. People frequently come to physical therapy with different complaints involving the hip. The number one complaint being pain localized to the hip joint and muscles surrounding the joint. Some people also experience stiffness in and around the hip and even the lower back. These issues create difficulty moving the joint and generalized weakness in the affected leg.
Read full blogPreventing Muscle Strains and Tightness
A common cause of hip pain that we treat at Loudoun Sports Therapy Clinic is hamstring injury. The hamstring muscle group is located on the back side of the thigh and is made up of three muscles. These three muscles originate on the hip bone and attach at the knee joint. When these muscles contract, the knee bends into a flexed position, when they relax, the knee is able to straighten back out.
The hamstrings work together with the quadriceps muscles to control and stabilize the knee joint.
Read full blogInflammation, swelling or difficulty moving smoothly?
By: Angie Austin, LPTA
Hip problems make daily activities like simply walking difficult and painful. When you talk to your physical therapist or doctor about your hip pain, it’s important to be able to describe exactly where your pain is located. This helps confirm that your hip is actually the problem. It’s not uncommon for us to hear a patient say ‘my hip hurts’ and then once we’ve done a full evaluation of their area of pain, we find they actually are having a back-related problem.
