Hip pain is a common ailment which can disrupt all aspects of daily living. Sleep, sitting, walking, working and other normal daily activities can be a source of chronic pain. The key to finding relief, like all pain, is finding the cause. If you have chronic hip pain this article is meant to inform you of the potential causes and some helpful insights as to how to find relief.
Hip pain is felt on the side of your body where your leg meets pelvis. The main causes of hip pain revolve around bone or soft tissue irritation or damage. The most common causes include: arthritis (inflammation of the hip joint), bursitis (inflammation of the fluid filled sac on top of the hip joint), osteonecrosis (lack of blood flow to the hip joint resulting in death of bone), tendonitis (inflammation of the muscle where it inserts to the top of the femur), Snapping Hip Syndrome (muscles or tendons rub over the bony prominence of the hip joint which can result in muscle strain or joint damage), muscle strain (overworked muscles that have tears in the muscle fibers causing pain), fracture, or referred pain by the lower back.
Some hip pain can be quick to disappear while others can create years of pain and discomfort. The more you know about what is causing your pain the easier it is to work towards correcting the problem. If you are unsure what is causing your pain it is best to see your health care provider for guidance.
Until you find the source of your pain there are some easy and quick options for easing your pain. If your pain is worse with standing and walking then try providing more cushion for your hip joint. I have found this to be a huge source of pain relief for those with an irritated hip joint due to arthritis or inflammation. The type of shoes that work best are “running” shoes which can be found in any athletic shoe store. I tend to like New Balance, Saucony or Brooks. When looking for a good running shoe remember that none of them will give you the “professional” look of heels or flats, but if you are serious about alleviating your pain then this option often works great.
If you have increased pain in your hip that travels up or down the leg along a muscle, then light stretching may help. Stretching your muscles, such as your Iliotibial band, Ilio-psoas muscles, and Piriformis are key muscles often related to hip pain.
If nighttime brings a source of anguish due to hip pain then modifying your sleeping arrangements might be needed. Providing additional cushion for your joints can be the difference between a sleepless night and a dream-filled slumber. If replacing your mattress is out of the question then I recommend a memory foam mattress topper. These range in amount of cushion provided but I recommend at least three or four inches. These can be bought at many of the major retailers and online for around $100 or less.
If you feel your hip pain is referred pain due to an irritated nerve then consulting with your chiropractor is a great place to start. They will be able to tell you if your pain is nerve-related or brought on by other causes such as arthritis or muscle strain.
Nutritionally speaking, reducing inflammatory foods and increasing anti-inflammatory foods are important for helping with pain and improving overall health. Foods to avoid that produce inflammation are those containing: sugar, flour, refined carbohydrates, diary, red meat and starches. Foods that are anti-inflammatory in nature are: vegetables, fruits (low in sugar – high in antioxidants), healthy fats (extra virgin olive oil, flax seed oil, fish oil), nuts, poultry, beans, legumes, whole grains, fish (wild), high-quality natural cheeses and free-ranged chicken eggs.
Your body needs shock-absorbing cushion, good motion and healthy nutrition. Don’t go through life just living with hip pain. If drugs and surgery are not an option for you right now then make changes, even if subtle, that will lead to making you feel better.
-by Dr. Brandon Crouch
About the Author: Dr. Brandon Crouch is a Chiropractor with Crouch Family Chiropractic. He is an advocate for being proactive when it comes to your health and encourages people to make healthy informed decisions. For more information you can go online at: www.crouchfamilychiro.com.
