If you have recently experienced an injury that is causing you hip pain, or you’ve had pain in your hip that is seemingly unrelated to an injury, physical therapy should be one of the first treatment options you try. Hip pain is a common problem that is often ignored by the individual who is experiencing it. It may be easy to overlook the issue or to think that the pain is not “bad enough” to seek medical assistance. However, any pain that is detrimental to your wellbeing should be observed by a medical professional. The problem may have a simple solution; there is no reason to simply tolerate pain, contact your local physical therapist to get to the root of the problem, and learn the exercises necessary to keep your hip pain at bay.
Can physical therapy help with hip pain? Keep reading to find out more.
Causes of Hip Pain
The first part of a proper physical therapy program is to understand the root cause of the pain you are experiencing. While hip pain can be caused by a traumatic injury from a strenuous activity like exercise or sports, more often than not hip pain is caused by something less apparent.
Here are some of the most common causes of hip pain:
Muscle injury: if you are an active individual, your hip pain may be caused by a strained or torn muscle. Activities that require a lot of abrupt twisting and turning motions like soccer or basketball are common culprits.
Bursitis: If the pain you are experiencing appears to be originating on the outside of your hip (or your thigh/buttocks), the problem could be bursitis. Bursitis is a condition in which the fluid containing sacs that prevent the tendons from rubbing directly on the bone become inflamed. Bursitis is generally not caused by athletics, and is most common in people over the age of 60. Young people are not immune to this issue, however, and thus should not completely rule it out.
Tendinitis: if you lead an active lifestyle and you’re experiencing pain in the hip and/or groin, you may have tendonitis of the hip flexor. Continuously stressing the same tendons through strenuous activity can lead to recurring minor injuries of the tendons in your hip.
Sciatica: pain in the sciatic nerve can range from dull to severe, and is often the cause of hip pain. When the sciatic nerve is pinched, the pain can be felt in the buttocks and hip regions. Sciatica can be caused by bone overgrowth, herniated disks, and even poor posture.
Osteoarthritis: the most common form of arthritis that is caused by the breakdown of the joints. When the hip joint is compromised, the resulting arthritis pain can be hard to manage. Arthritis is most prevalent in older people, but can affect anyone.
Fortunately, all of these ailments can, and have been effectively treated with physical therapy.
Why Visit a Physical Therapist for Hip Pain?
A licensed physical therapist is there to guide you through an exercise regimen designed to relieve you of your symptoms. They will help you master your technique and form so that you get the most out of your program and don’t make your injury worse. With improper form, the same exercises that help you can actually harm you. It’s important to make sure you consult a professional to avoid this.
Best Physical Therapist in PA
When you plan a visit to our office, you’ll be seen by our physical therapist, Joe Miller. Joe has spent over 30-years serving patients in the Reading and Berks area. He’ll listen to your symptoms and concerns, conduct a careful assessment, and put together a care plan to get you feeling your best. He’ll support you through every step of your physical therapy plan. We keep our patients informed and comfortable throughout their entire appointment. Joe is the best physical therapist in Berks County, and he is here to help. If you’re experiencing recurring or worsening knee pain, plan your visit and start feeling some relief.
