Hip Pain Physical Therapy
Hip pain is a relatively common complaint that can arise for various reasons. It may be the result of arthritis, injury, repetitive motions leading to abnormal stress or obesity. The pain usually affects the front of the hip and may radiate into the groin area, making it difficult to perform activities requiring normal movement.
The hip is a complex joint composed of bones, ligaments, muscles and tendons. It also surrounds itself with the hip bursa – a fluid-filled sac which reduces friction forces between the joint and surrounding tendons and muscles. If this bursa becomes inflamed it may cause hip pain.
Physical therapy can provide relief from hip pain and improve overall health. A physiotherapist will evaluate the condition of your hip, use various techniques to treat it, and educate you on how to prevent future injuries.
Treatment options for hip pain include stretching exercises, aerobic exercise and manual therapy. Your therapist will customize a program tailored specifically to you based on individual needs; they may use ice, heat, massage or electric stimulation in addition to these methods.
At a hip pain physical therapy session, your therapist will perform a comprehensive evaluation of your hip and surrounding structures. She’ll check range of motion, feel for any aches or pains in the area, as well as assess how you walk.
Your therapist will also assess your balance, flexibility, and strength. She uses special tests to confirm diagnosis and identify which structures are causing pain.
Your therapist may use video gait analysis to observe how your hip moves during various phases of walking. This helps them identify areas that are painful or uncomfortable when trying to move them.
It’s essential to remember that while icing the area can provide pain relief, it’s also essential not to overexert yourself or overextend yourself during physical therapy sessions. Your physical therapist’s goal should be to reduce joint stress and increase flexibility so you can continue enjoying activities without discomfort.
After conducting a comprehensive assessment of your hip and its surrounding structures, your physical therapist will begin the process of restoring mobility in that joint. They’ll use a combination of stretches, strengthening exercises, and flexibility exercises to get you up and running as quickly as possible.
Your therapist will then instruct you on how to perform exercises at home. These movements can strengthen the hip and thigh muscles, helping prevent future injuries.
Your therapist will also teach you ways to manage your pain while at home, such as avoiding positions that put pressure on your hip and applying ice packs in 15-minute bursts throughout the day. Doing this can reduce inflammation and expedite recovery time.
Your physical therapist will devise an individualized treatment plan to eliminate abnormal stresses, restore joint mechanics and reduce pain so you can function at your peak performance. Achieving these objectives may result in decreased levels of pain or disability that significantly enhance quality of life.
