Common Sources of Hip Pain (And What We Can Do About Them)
Common Sources of Hip Pain (And What We Can Do About Them)

Common Sources of Hip Pain (And What We Can Do About Them)

Common Sources of Hip Pain (And What We Can Do About Them)

Common Sources of Hip Pain (And What We Can Do About Them)

Have you noticed a persistent discomfort in your hip? Is impaired hip mobility making it difficult for you to handle day-to-day tasks? Hip pain isn’t something you have to live with. But to resolve your pain, you’ll need to identify why you’re experiencing pain in the first place.

At Fitness Matters, our team of musculoskeletal experts can help you determine the root cause of your hip pain. Whether it’s an underlying injury or a chronic condition like arthritis, we’ll get you the answers you need — and the relief you deserve!

Today, we want to explore some common causes of hip pain and give you some insight into how physical therapy can help. But if you’re currently dealing with hip pain, your best bet is to call us to schedule an initial consultation. Our team can give you personalized guidance to return to an active, healthy lifestyle!

Our Patients Get Great Results

“I would highly recommend Fitness Matters in Westerville! Anna and Rachel have worked with me through some difficult health challenges. They are very skilled and purposeful in their work. They also have given me hope to regain my former fitness level. The support staff are wonderful!”

– S.S.

Leave Us A Review

Why Do My Hips Hurt?

Common Hip Injuries and Conditions

Osteoarthritis (OA)

If you’re an older adult, your hip pain might stem from osteoarthritis, which occurs when the cartilage in a joint starts to degenerate. The hips are one of the more common locations for OA. Symptoms include…

  • A sense of weakness in your legs
  • Pain in the hip and/or groin
  • Stiffness in the hip joint, especially after you haven’t moved it for a while

Hip Impingement

Your hip is a ball-and-socket joint. When the ball part of the joint pinches up against the socket part, you can develop hip impingement. It’s most common in young, active people. Watch out for…

  • Symptoms that gradually develop over time
  • Pain in the hip joint and discomfort elsewhere in the general area (groin, thighs, lower back)
  • Sharp stabbing pain when using your hip (i.e., squatting, running, etc)

Hip Strain

A hip strain occurs when the muscles or tendons that support your hip joint become damaged. Your exact symptoms will vary somewhat based on the severity of the strain, but in general, you can expect…

  • Pain, especially when using the affected muscle
  • Swelling
  • Limited range of motion
  • Muscle weakness

Hip Labral Tear

Your labrum is a ring of cartilage that protects your hip socket. A labral tear occurs when that cartilage tears, often due to overuse or a hip impingement. Symptoms include…

  • A persistent, dull ache that feels like it comes from deep inside your hip
  • Sharp, stabbing pains when using your hip
  • Clicking or popping sounds when using your hip
  • A feeling of instability in the hip

Hip sprains can also occur, but they tend to be rare. A sprain affects the ligaments in your hip (the tissue that connects the joint). Symptoms are similar to a strain, but you might also experience a sense of the joint buckling under your weight.

What We Can Do to Address Your Hip Pain

Of course, identifying the cause of your hip pain is only the first step in addressing it. Once we know why you’re experiencing pain, we can develop a personalized treatment plan for your needs.

If you’ve suffered a hip injury, we’ll guide you through rehabilitation. Sometimes, physical therapy alone is enough to resolve the injury; other times, you may need medical intervention. Either way, here’s what you can expect:

  • Drug-free pain management techniques (such as manual therapy)
  • Early mobility work to help improve your range of motion
  • Exercises to restore strength and stability
  • Targeted balance and gait training
  • Activity-specific training (especially if you’re an athlete)

If you’ve developed osteoarthritis, we can help you manage your symptoms and delay the progression of your condition. OA doesn’t have a cure, but physical therapy is considered a frontline treatment to help you avoid a total hip replacement. Your treatment plan may include…

  • Manual therapy to help reduce pain and improve mobility
  • A personalized exercise program to help you stay active (regular exercise is one of the best ways to manage osteoarthritis)
  • Balance and gait training to help reduce your fall risk
  • Activity modifications and other strategies to help you manage discomfort throughout the day

No matter the reason for your hip pain, the Fitness Matters therapists will find a solution that works for you. Call us today to schedule an appointment to get started on your journey to hip pain relief!

Don’t Ignore Your Joint Pain!

You notice a faint twinge in your hip whenever you squat down. It’s not severe, and it goes away once you stand back up. No big deal, right?

But then you start to notice the pain more frequently, like when you go for a run or work in your garden. It’s also started to get worse. Suddenly, you’re not so sure you can just ignore it.

This scenario probably sounds familiar. Most of us have ignored pain at some point in our lives. And sometimes, the pain does go away on its own. But there are circumstances when you shouldn’t ignore joint pain. In those situations, schedule an appointment at Fitness Matters.

When Joint Pain Requires Action

Here’s a handy checklist to let you know when you should visit our physical therapists to get your pain checked out:

  • Your pain is progressively worsening
  • Your pain results from an obvious injury
  • Your pain is severe enough to affect your day-to-day life
  • Your pain is accompanied by mobility restrictions in the joint
  • Your pain is constant (24/7) and doesn’t subside after a few days
  • You’ve been dealing with persistent pain for months
  • You notice swelling in the joint

Call Us Today To Learn More

Remember, joint pain is your body’s way of telling you something’s wrong — it’s not something you have to live with, even if you’re older. A consultation at Fitness Matters can get to the bottom of things and help you find relief.

Request Appointment

Recipe of the Month: Honey-Lime Chicken and Veggies

Ingredients:

  • 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
  • 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 tablespoon minced ginger
  • 2 tablespoons honey
  • Zest of 1 lime
  • Four 6-ounce chicken breasts
  • 1 teaspoon cumin
  • ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1 bunch asparagus
  • Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
  • 2 ears corn, halved
  • 2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro
  • ¼ cup thinly sliced green onion

Instructions:

  1. In a small bowl, stir together the butter, olive oil, garlic, ginger, honey and lime zest.
  2. Using 12-inch sheets of foil, build four packets. Place a chicken breast in the center of each. Season it with cumin and paprika. Divide the asparagus among the packets. Brush the chicken and asparagus with the honey-ginger sauce and season with salt and pepper. Fold the foil over the food inside and crimp several times to seal.
  3. Preheat a grill or grill pan over medium-high heat. Grill the packets until the chicken is cooked through, 10 to 12 minutes.
  4. About 5 minutes before the chicken is finished, add the corn to the grill and cook until it’s browned on all sides, about 5 minutes.
  5. Garnish the chicken with cilantro and green onion before serving.
Sources