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 PerformaX Elite Physical Therapy, 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!
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…
- Pain in the hip and/or groin
- Stiffness in the hip joint, especially after you haven’t moved it for a while
- A sense of weakness in your legs
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…
- 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)
- Symptoms that gradually develop over time
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 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 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
🎉 July Birthday Celebrations 🎉
Celebrating our amazing PerformaX team this month!
Daniel Aguilar, PTA
Jeremy Stafford
Kamran Jahadi
Patrick Khoo
Cristina Amaro
🎁 Refer a Friend & Get $25
Know someone who could benefit from physical therapy? Tell them about PerformaX—when they become a patient, we’ll send you a $25 Visa Gift Card.
Patient Success Spotlight
Real results from real patients
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 PerformaX Elite Physical Therapy.
Get Started Today!
No matter the reason for your hip pain, the PerformaX Elite Physical Therapy 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!
Meet Our Team
Dr. Jeanna M. Barsamian
PT, DPT, OCS, ATC, CSCS
Clinical Director of Therapy
Evelyn Xiloj
Lead PT Aide
Dr. Jose Alaniz
PT, DPT
Dr. Steven D Newton
Owner, PT, DPT, MBA, TPI
Mediterranean Chickpea Bowl
This colorful Mediterranean-inspired bowl is loaded with fiber, plant-based protein, and fresh vegetables for a nourishing and satisfying meal.
Ingredients
- 1 can chickpeas, drained and rinsed
- 2 cups cooked brown rice or quinoa
- 1 cup cucumber, diced
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1/4 cup red onion, thinly sliced
- 1/3 cup kalamata olives
- 1/4 cup crumbled feta cheese
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- Salt and black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Cook brown rice or quinoa according to package instructions and let cool slightly.
- In a large bowl, combine chickpeas, cucumber, tomatoes, red onion, and olives.
- In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, lemon juice, oregano, salt, and pepper.
- Pour dressing over the vegetables and toss well to combine.
- Divide rice or quinoa into serving bowls and top with the chickpea mixture.
- Sprinkle feta cheese on top and serve immediately.
Sources
- https://www.choosept.com/guide/physical-therapy-guide-to-osteoarthritis-of-hip,
- https://www.choosept.com/guide/physical-therapy-guide-hip-impingement-femoroacetabular,
- https://www.physio-pedia.com/Hip_Labral_Disorders,
- https://orthoinfo.aaos.org/en/diseases–conditions/hip-strains/
- https://www.arthritis.org/health-wellness/about-arthritis/understanding-arthritis/when-joint-pain-means-its-time
