Chronic joint pain affects millions of Americans. Older people are more likely to develop osteoarthritis of the hip. For many sufferers of arthritis and other conditions, the pain can be very severe and debilitating.
The good news is that, no matter how severe the case, there is something that can be done about it. Aside from pharmaceutical treatment, physical therapy for hip pain is safe and practical.
Pain is a part of life but that doesn’t mean we should ignore it. Read on learn more about physiotherapy for hip pain and how it works.
For millions of Americans of different age groups, chronic hip pain is a daily part of life. This can be make us feel like just staying in bed all day.
The effect on our psyche and overall health can be difficult to measure.
Unfortunately, many of us might not be getting at the treatment we need.
Hip pain is more common in older people but it can occur at any age due to a number of causes. For example, people with hip dysplasia are often born with an abnormal socket of the hip joint.
Here are some of the most common causes.
Osteoarthritis (OA) is a condition due to the ‘wear-and-tear’ of our weight-bearing joints over a lifetime. The most commonly affected joints are the knees, hips, and spine.
Physical therapy can help people with OA learn to strengthen their muscles and other ways to reduce stress on affected joints.
In contrast, rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disease and is not due to mechanical factors.
RA usually involves the smaller joints of the hands, wrists, and feet. However, it often affects larger joints, such as the hip.
There are a number of treatment options, including sophisticated biological agents , such as monoclonal antibodies. This doesn’t mean good old fashion PT doesn’t help.
Our muscles are connected to our bones via tendons, a fibrous connective tissue. These are often damaged while playing sports or other activities, resulting in a strain.
These are often seen in younger athletes. Fortunately, the prognosis is very good with proper treatment.
Hip fractures are extremely common the in elderly. Particularly those with osteoporosis and/or risk factors for falls.
The impact on mobility can be severe. PT may help you slowly get back on your feet and walking again. Notably, physical therapy may be useful to help you prevent a fall.
Physical therapy is used in the treatment of various types of injury.
Regardless of the cause of your hip pain, physical therapy can help, even if you can’t walk or are otherwise wheel-chair bound.
Much like visiting a doctor, when you meet a physical therapist for the first time, they will begin by taking your information and asking questions.
They may take your vital signs and measurements next. Then, there are several tests they might apply. The goal of this is to test your baseline mobility and strength.
The exercises you do in hip therapy can vary on a case by case basis. Strength training exercises of the legs, such as squats, are crucial to reducing stress on the hip.
Other exercises include balance training, gait stabilization, and stretching.
It doesn’t matter if you were an all-state athlete or a couch potato. Your therapist can personalize every detail of your PT plan.
Hip pain can become quite unbearable. We may want to ‘tough it out’ but it is usually better to address the pain. People living with untreated chronic pain can have reduced mobility and quality of life.
In these cases, the patient and their healthcare provider have to consider other ways to control the pain.
There are a number of pharmaceutical treatments and other interventions one could consider.
RICE stands for rest, ice, compression, and elevation. It was developed as a form of first aid to relieve discomfort following a soft tissue injury.
The use of this technique can provide temporary relief in people with chronic joint pain. Compressing and elevating the hip requires you to get a little creative.
Ideally, raise your legs above your heart with pillows or cushions.
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are among the most commonly consumed drugs on the planet. Common examples include ibuprofen and naproxen.
They are effective in treating mild to moderate pain and the reduced swelling is an added benefit. However, long term use can lead to heartburn, ulcers, and even liver and kidney damage in severe cases.
Steroid drugs, such as corticosteroids, may be useful at reducing serious inflammation. However, they have several significant side effects associated with long-term use, namely Cushing syndrome and a weakened immune system. There are better options for most people.
Sometimes, we just need something to lower our pain levels. Acetaminophen is sold as Tylenol and other names. It is one of the most commonly prescribed drugs for pain.
Opioid drugs, such as oxycodone, are sometimes considered in people with chronic pain. Although they may provide short-term relief, they are usually not suitable for chronic use and better options exist.
They don’t improve the quality of life of people with hip pain and have had tragic consequences in our communities. According to the CDC, 130 people die in the US every day from an opioid overdose.
Cannabidiol (CBD) is a molecule that has been isolated from the cannabis plant. It has been shown to be responsible for many of the medicinal effects of cannabis.
Since it doesn’t have the psychoactive effects (the “high”) of regular cannabis, it can be safely and legally used.
There is yet another approach to chronic pain that doesn’t require medication or physical therapy at all. Cognitive-based therapy (CBT) is a form of psychotherapy.
All you have to do is speak to a therapist. You might be thinking that CBT is only for depression, substance abuse, or relationship problems.
Well, CBT can also be used in people with chronic pain, which is often accompanied by high levels of stress. Your therapist can discuss ways to manage this stress as well the way you perceive your own pain levels
We have come a long way in the field of pain management. It hasn’t always been pretty, to say the least, and there is a long way to go.
Ideally, people with chronic joint pain should be treated by an integral team of health care workers, including physicians, nutritionists, psychotherapists, and others. Physical therapy for hip pain is a crucial piece of the puzzle.
People who haven’t experience chronic pain can’t understand what it’s like. We’re here to help you work through it. Check out this article to learn more about physiotherapy.
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