Hip pain, like any other pain, can seem to limit what you are able to get done in a day. Hips are a vital anatomical structure that allows people to walk, run, and carry out daily tasks. When hip pain strikes, it can throw off your routine and it can become all you can think about.
There are many conditions that can lead to sore or painful hips. Figuring out the source of hip pain will allow you a better idea as to how to get the right pain relief for the particular issue. To determine the specific kind of hip pain you are experiencing and the best treatment plan, it is advised to get a consultation from your doctor.
Below is a discussion of potential causes of hip pain as well as possible ways to get hip pain relief. Let’s get started!
What Causes Hip Pain?
There are endless reasons that you could have pain really anywhere in your body, but here are some of the most common culprits for hip pain.
Hip Joint Issues
The hip joint is only one of two ball and socket joints in the human body with the other being a joint in the shoulder. Ball and socket joints offer a large range of motion when compared to other joints and play a large role in our ability to walk upright.
While ball and socket joints provide a large range of motion, they also contain a large surface area where the two bones move. With a larger surface area, the bones move about one another and constantly support the weight of the body when standing, meaning the hip joint can face a large amount of wear and tear over the years. These conditions lead to more opportunities for the wearing away of cartilage which can eventually result in osteoarthritis.
Another potential cause of hip pain that involves the joint is bursitis. Bursitis is a condition in which the fluid sacks that provide less friction to moving joints and tendons become inflamed.
Hip Muscle Issues
With a large range of motion, the hip contains many muscles that allow it to function properly. If hip pain is sudden and there is no reason to believe joint-related issues are to blame, a muscular injury or soreness could explain hip pain. Generally, a muscular injury is accompanied by inflammation as well as pain that is present when conducting a certain movement of the hip. Muscular injury to the muscles of the hip can happen to anyone at any age.
With a large range of motion, the hip contains many muscles that allow it to function properly. If hip pain is sudden and there is no reason to believe joint-related issues are to blame, a muscular injury or soreness could explain hip pain. Generally, a muscular injury is accompanied by inflammation as well as pain that is present when conducting a certain movement of the hip. Muscular injury to the muscles of the hip can happen to anyone at any age.
Tendonitis
If both joint and muscle issues are ruled out, the hip pain may be caused by tendonitis. Tendons are the anatomical structure that connects bones to skeletal muscle. During repetitive motions or high-stress events, tendons can become injured. The injury causes the area to experience inflammation and become tender.
Tendonitis is more common in adults as tendons progressively lose some of their elasticity with age. With less elasticity comes less protection against potential injury.
How to Relieve Hip Pain
Just as there are many causes of hip pain, there are also quite a few ways to help relieve it, even if only temporarily.
Topical Pain Relief
Topical pain relief is a great way to help temporarily alleviate hip pain. Whether your hip pain is a result of joint issues, muscular injury, or tendonitis, topical pain relief could provide temporary targeted relief to your hip.
Hempvana’s Hemp Pain Relief Cream – Hempvana Gold with Turmeric & Aloe is a fantastic option for those who experience occasional hip pain and want a quick and easy solution that will not only temporarily alleviate pain, but also leave their skin hydrated and healthy.
The main ingredient in Hempvana Gold is trolamine salicylate, which acts as an analgesic and anti-inflammatory. Trolamine salicylate in addition to turmeric, aloe, and hemp seed extract provides a soothing cream that can provide great temporary hip pain relief on the go.
Over the Counter Pain Relief
Over the counter (OTC) pain relief is another great way to help reduce the pain from a hip issue. Over-the-counter pain relief drugs can provide anti-inflammation and pain relief throughout your whole body. This option would be ideal for pains that are located deep in the muscles and joints.
A downside to the utilization of consumable pain relief options is that it takes some time for the effects of the drug to occur. Drugs rely on the body to metabolize them and pass the active ingredients into the bloodstream to take effect. This whole process can take up to an hour. If you are in need of a faster solution to pain relief, other options may be better for you, even if just as a temporary option while you wait for the pain relievers to kick in.
Minimize Movement
Another way to minimize hip-related pain is to minimize movement of the hip and to minimize the activation of any muscles that are injured around the hip. Complete immobilization of the hip may not be possible for some that work on their feet.
The goal of this way to relieve hip pain is to give it the time it needs to heal on its own. Minimizing movement should be relative to what you normally do. For example, if a construction worker is experiencing hip pain from constantly lifting heavy objects, that individual should consider asking others for help or letting their employer know that they are able to work but in a limited capacity.
To limit hip movement during sleep, you can use a leg ramp. Leg ramps are conventionally utilized to help reduce swelling and soreness of the legs. They can also help you stay on your back during sleep. Inhibiting tossing, turning, and rolling over in bed and keeping you lying on your back could help minimize hip movement while sleeping.
Ice Therapy
Cold therapy is another great and effective way to reduce inflammation and the feeling of pain relatively quickly. Many injuries benefit from the effects of icing because of what the cold does physiologically.
When something cold like ice or a cooling pack is applied to a part of the body, the body responds by reducing blood flow which also decreases inflammation. In addition to decreasing blood flow, the coldness provides a numbing sensation to the affected area.
While icing the hip could provide some pain relief, it is important to know how to properly ice a part of the body. Any cold therapy that is being applied to an area needs to have a barrier between the ice and the surface of the skin. This acts to reduce the chances of frostbite. In addition, ice should be kept on for no longer than 10 minutes at a time. The time between icing should be enough to allow the skin to return back to normal body temperature.
A great way to get a similar sensation of icing without all the hassle is Hempvana’s Pain Patch – Cold As Ice Pain Relief. The patch is fast and easy to utilize and provides fast results. It’s as simple as opening the package and sticking it to the affected area. The adhesive patch allows you a quick and easy way to get cooling relief on the go and continue on with your day.
Heat Therapy
Heat therapy works differently from cool therapy in that it increases blood flow to a given area. Heat therapy is ideal for sore muscles and muscle stiffness as it increases blood flow which is able to flush out lactic acid and aid in the repair process. Heat therapy can be easily achieved by going in a hot bath or applying a heat pack to the affected area if on the go.
Heat therapy is not for all injuries as increased circulation could result in further inflammation of the sensation of pain. As a general rule, heat should not be applied to acute injuries or to pain that is from inflammation and works better for tightness and stiffness.
Stretch
If the hip pain is from a tight muscle, stretching could help alleviate the pain quickly. Stretching is effective for muscle cramps, muscle tightness, and any muscle fatigue-related issues.
There are many different hip stretches that can be performed but a great option is the Seated Pretzel. For this stretch, you start by sitting in a chair. Then you cross one leg over the other with the outside of your ankle touching the top of your other leg’s knee. Then you slowly bend the upper body over your legs till you feel the stretch in the hips.
Conclusion
In summary, hip pain can be caused by a number of issues. The hip consists of the joints, tendons, and muscles, all of which are susceptible to some wear and tear from everyday activity. Issues with each of these components can cause different types of hip issues, and as such could need different pain management approaches.
The pain relief options of topical pain relief, OTC pain relief, limiting movement, ice/heat therapy, and stretching are all ways that could relieve pain. If there is a concern of a more serious condition, it is advised to seek professional medical advice.