Hip pain is often synonymous with the elderly or frail but truth be told, hip problems can affect everyone at any age or life stage. While hip pain can occur as a result of conditions such as arthritis or bursitis, it can also be onset by everyday habits like sitting in awkward positions or as a result of a sedentary lifestyle.

If you are looking for an overview of Osteopathy, check out our Why And When To See An Osteopath article.

Main Causes of Hip Pain

There are many causes of hip pain and seeing an osteopath will help you get to the root of the problem to provide you with the correct treatment and help you prevent it from recurring in the future. Some of the common causes include:

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• Bursitis - this occurs when the sacs (bursa) that surround and ‘cushion’ your joints become inflamed resulting in a dull ache.
• Arthritis - there are multiple types of arthritis which we cover in our How Can Osteopathy Help With Arthritis article, but it’s a common condition that causes inflammation and pain in the joints.
• Dislocation - When the ball joint of your hip pops out of its socket and causes acute pain.
• Pubic Symphysis Disorder (PSD/SPD) - this typically occurs in pregnant women when the pelvic joints become stiff or move unevenly.
• Tendonitis - when the tendons become inflamed causing stiffness and joint pain.
• Fractures - these are usually a result of a fall or serious injury and will likely need surgery to repair or replace the part of the hip that’s been damaged.
• Labral tear - this occurs when the tissue surrounding the ball (femur) and socket (acetabulum) of the hip become injured, often causing reduced range of motion and minor discomfort.
• Snapping Hip (Dancer’s Hip) -  a condition that causes a snapping or popping sound in the hip while bending or rotating the joint. Typically pain is minimal and it’s not harmful but it’s always worth getting this checked in case you’ve misdiagnosed yourself, or it’s the start of a bigger problem.

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Whatever the cause, it’s important to give the adequate time and attention to your hip health. We know better than anyone that what may start out as a little niggle can evolve into chronic pain but visiting an osteopath and seeking the correct treatment will minimise the likelihood of hip pain causing you bigger problems down the line.

How Does Hip Health Impact The Rest Of The Body?

Your hips and pelvis are at the centre of your body so are pretty integral for movements no matter how great or small. When you are walking, running, training in the gym or participating in physical activity, your hips absorb a great deal of force as all your body is interconnected and everything runs through the hips either directly or indirectly. Equally, when you’re sitting your hips will be affected by poor posture.

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An injured or painful hip can result in other parts of the body overcompensating to support movement and, in turn, lead to injuries in other joints or muscle strains elsewhere. That’s why, whether you are sedentary or fairly active, your hips need to be in their best condition to effectively support your body’s functions and minimise further injuries. Fortunately our specialist osteopaths are on hand to help.

How Can Osteopathy Help With Hip Pain?

Osteopathy services looks at the body as a whole, focusing on how the joints, muscles and ligaments work together in order to help realign your form.

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During your first osteopath appointment at West 1, we will examine your posture and range of motion, as well as understand more about your medical history and current lifestyle to find the cause of any underlying problems. For example, if you’re experiencing hip pain, an osteopath may assess your lower back and lower limb movement in order to work out the source and cause of your pain.

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From this, your osteopath will then help to realign the body by moving, stretching and massaging the muscles and joints, and can provide guidance and exercises to prevent issues evolving into a worse injury or a more serious problem in the future.

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After the physical examination your osteopath will talk you through their findings and discuss treatment and management options, explaining any risk and/or benefits associated with the treatment of choice.

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Most commonly, treatment will include practices such as joint articulation, soft tissue manipulation, medical acupuncture, exercises or a combination of the above. Every patient’s treatment will be dependent on their individual case but, if applicable, your osteopath will also discuss any alternative treatments available for maximum transparency.

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While we’re always happy to see and treat our patients, our focus is ultimately getting you back to health so you don’t find yourself in your practice long-term. Whether it’s a minor discomfort or a pain that’s been interfering with your life for some time, contact us today to setup an initial consultation and get the help you need to alleviate your hip pain.

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