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Pain in the hip
In the hip area, there are abundant muscles and tendon attachments that attach to the iliac crest and the outside of the femur, the greater trochanter.
When you have pain in the hip, it can come from the hip joint itself or from the soft tissues and fascia structure in the surrounding area, which may be due to overuse with inflammation of the muscles and tendon attachments. It may also radiate from the lumbar region, such as an isciatic pain, or it may be caused by a trauma to the hip.
What causes hip pain?
Hip pain can have many different causes. If the pain is in the groin and is insidious over a long period of time, and perhaps becomes more pronounced in attacks of pain, it may be osteoarthritis of the hip joint. In hip osteoarthritis, the articular cartilage is affected so that it breaks down faster than it builds up again. This causes an inflammation of the joint itself with subsequent pain.
If the pain is more on the outside of the hip, it can radiate upwards and downwards from a sore spot towards the upper part of the femur, it may be trochanteritis. Trochanteritis often hurts more during the activity itself, such as running, whereas osteoarthritis is often felt more at the beginning of an activity before you get started. Osteoarthritis can also be felt more after exertion when you have rested and “stiffened up”.
It is also common for hip osteoarthritis (see separate article on osteoarthritis of the body) and trochanteritis to occur together.
Why do I have pain in my hip?
If the body is loaded unevenly, in imbalance, certain joints and structures will receive a greater load, causing overexertion with inflammation and wear and tear, resulting in pain.
What is hip pain a symptom of?
Hip pain is usually a symptom of an imbalance in the pelvic area which can propagate throughout the body. An unbalanced, rotated pelvis puts an uneven load on the hip joint and also other joints, such as the joints of the spine, neck, knees, feet, etc. This in turn affects muscles, tendons and ligaments, various fascia structures, which can also ultimately lead to wear and tear of articular cartilage if not addressed in time.
Hip pain during pregnancy
During pregnancy, the body’s center of gravity and balance changes and the load also increases. It is then more important than ever that the pelvis is balanced so that structures are not skewed and worn unevenly. During pregnancy, there are also changes in the structure of the fascia due to hormonal changes, resulting in the fascia becoming softer and less stable.
When and where should I seek treatment for hip pain?
Hip pain, when not related to other symptoms, is usually harmless but should be addressed in time to avoid more serious consequences and wear and tear. FasciaClinics can help with an analysis of the body’s balance and address the imbalance that is causing the pain.
How is hip pain treated?
A fascia therapist at a FasciaClinic will measure the body balance and how the pelvis, spine, etc. are loaded. The therapist will balance the pelvis and relieve joints, nerves and other fascia structures from uneven pressure. The treatment is very pleasant and does not hurt.
Hip pain – What can I do myself?
It is important to move, but it is also important not to overload what hurts. Continuing to limp, misalign and overstress the already vulnerable tissue makes matters worse. If you are in a lot of pain when you walk, you may want to use a cane or crutch.
It is important to ensure that the body gets the right nutrition, enough of the right amino acids for collagen and other things needed to rebuild a broken cartilage, for example. Collagen amino acids are obtained by eating cartilage and ‘sinewy meat’ or by boiling marrowbone broth. Hydrolyzed collagen or gelatin supplements can also be taken daily, preferably before a targeted exercise program.
Read about Stretching the hip and good ways to train hip flexors.
Exercises for hip pain?
Moving the hip joint and other structures, but without excessive strain, is important. For example, swimming, cycling and other non-weight-bearing hip joint exercises may be appropriate. Stand on the healthy leg and perform different movement programs with the unhealthy leg, swing the leg, rotate the hip outwards and inwards, etc. In the case of hip osteoarthritis, it can be helpful to follow movements in an osteoarthritis school.
