Living with hip pain can disrupt every aspect of your life. From the way you work to the way you exercise to whether you can play with your kids and grandkids, sometimes it seems like your hips can get in the way of everything.
“If your hips are sore, there are many reasons that could be causing this,” explained Rochelle Samarasekera, DO, family medicine provider at Osceola Medical Center. “Arthritis, hip fractures, tendinitis and muscle strain could be the cause of your discomfort. The good news is you may have more power to reduce the pain than you realize.”
Here are six things you can do to soothe your aching hips and take control of the pain you have been feeling.
Engage in gentle forms of exercise. Moving your body can be painful when your hips are hurting yet losing weight will relieve the extra pressure and allow you to feel better. Engaging in gentle forms of exercise like water aerobics and yoga are great ways to move more, burn calories, and give your hips a break. Icing your joint before and after exercise, along with using anti-inflammatory medications – such as ibuprofen or Tylenol – could help with pain and swelling.
Eat a healthier diet. Some foods are better for your hips and body than others, and improving your diet is a great way to soothe your aching joints. Avoiding foods that promote painful inflammation is a great way to relieve hip pain the natural way.
Explore alternative forms of healing. “Osteopathic manipulation, along with physical therapy, acupuncture and other forms of natural healing, may help reduce your joint pain,” said Dr. Samarasekera, “While osteopathic manipulation and physical therapy may not work for everyone, discuss these options with your primary care provider to determine if this route is for you and your aching hips.”
Ask about bone density testing and bone-healthy supplements. Sometimes hip pain is the first sign of chronic conditions such as osteoporosis. If you have not already done so, getting a bone density test could be an essential first step on your healing journey.
Try over-the-counter pain medication such as ibuprofen or Tylenol. OTC products that work by reducing inflammation can be effective at easing mild to moderate hip pain.
Talk to your primary care provider. When you experience pain, your body is oftentimes trying to tell you something. “Call your health care provider if your hip pain doesn’t go away, you notice swelling, redness or warmth around the joint or if you have hip pain at night and when you are resting,” continued Dr. Samarasekera.
In some cases, hip replacement surgery could be the best course of action. If you have done everything you can think of and your still in pain, schedule a visit with your primary care provider to discuss your options.
Taking the steps mentioned above may help you feel better and get you back to doing the things you enjoy. If you decide to get your hip pain assessed by a health care provider, consider OMC as the one place to care for all your healthcare needs, call 715-294-5680 to schedule your appointment today.
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