The hip is a resilient joint that can sustain repeated strain and a significant amount of wear and tear. This durability is due to the joint’s complex and multifaceted anatomy, which includes a robust architecture that is built for stability. The hip is also incredibly flexible, allowing for a massive range of motion that is second only to the shoulder in this capacity.
But despite these strengths, the hip also has a concrete set of limits, just like every other joint in the body. Regularly participating in activities that engage the hip, not taking enough time to recover after exercise, and aging all take a toll on the joint. And over time, the sum of these factors can often result in an injury or lasting pain.
Many conditions can negatively affect the functioning of the hip and complicate the daily life of sufferers as a result. After hip pain develops, movement can become a taxing affair. Standing up from a chair, getting into a car, and walking even short distances may be met with intense strain and discomfort. As a result, some individuals will become less active to avoid this pain, even though inactivity can lead to worse outcomes in the long run.
When hip pain occurs, a targeted intervention will be needed to address a patient’s deficits and help them regain functional abilities. Physical therapy is often the best option available for most of these cases because it not only reduces pain levels, but also teaches patients to overcome their limitations independently by moving better and more efficiently. Physical therapy is also appropriate for patients of all ages and for most conditions that produce hip pain, with a few exceptions. To help you determine if physical therapy is right for you, here are five of the most common hip conditions that physical therapists treat, followed by some red flags, which usually suggest a more serious problem is present that requires the care of another health professional:
If you notice any of these red flags, see your primary care physician as soon as possible or—for severe injuries—go to the emergency department or urgent care clinic immediately. But in the absence of any red flags, we strongly recommend seeing a physical therapist for your hip pain as soon as possible to get started on a comprehensive treatment program that will help you regain your abilities.
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