Hip Pain Treatment: DIY, Conservative or Surgery?

In the previous post, we discussed the various injuries, diseases and conditions that cause pain in the hip, the strongest joint in the human body. From hip bursitis and osteoarthritis, to car accidents and sports injuries, to herniated discs and gynecological issues, there are dozens of causes of hip pain, some of which aren’t always easy to diagnose.

There could be a number of factors that contribute to your pain, like obesity, an inflammatory diet, or an injury to your knee that caused you to change how you walk. This why proper diagnosis and comprehensive treatment are critical.

Honestly, the phrase “hip pain treatment” is a bit of a misnomer. Obviously, we want the pain to go away. But we treat the underlying cause of your pain, not the pain itself, which is just a symptom. Unfortunately, people have been conditioned to look for temporary pain relief in a bottle. Our approach focuses on solving the problem so you don’t need medication.

Beware of DIY Treatment for Hip Pain

For a mild strain, you might only need rest and ice to recover. That’s the ideal scenario. However, if you have hip pain that lasts for more than a few days, some people will suggest low-impact exercises. Maybe do some stretching to increase flexibility or resistance training to regain strength. Go for a long walk to get loose.

Starting any exercise routine, regardless of how minor, without knowing the cause and proper treatment method is a bad idea. For example, stretching and walking can be very bad for certain people in certain conditions. Resistance training can aggravate hip pain if you’re not doing the right movements or your body isn’t conditioned to perform those exercises.

Healing is almost never a DIY project and hip pain is no exception. Treatment programs should be recommended by a professional only after thorough examination and testing, which may include x-ray, MRI and blood testing.

Conservative Treatment First, Surgery When Necessary

The right type of treatment should be based on the precise cause of your hip pain, not the treatment that seems to work for most people. Conservative treatment is always preferred, but surgery might be the only option for severe injuries and chronic conditions.

For example, if you break a bone in the hip area or dislocate the hip joint, the affected area will have to be reset. Once the area has healed, physical therapy and rehabilitation could help you regain your strength, flexibility and balance. However, serious injuries may require surgery to fix the problem and allow it to heal properly. Total hip replacement is sometimes the best option for chronic pain caused by osteoarthritis and other conditions that cause the structure of the hip to break down over time.

As we mentioned in the previous post, hip pain doesn’t always originate in the hip, which is why there is no one-size-fits-all treatment approach.

• Hip pain caused by nerve pressure or herniated discs in the spine can be treated with chiropractic care.
• Hip pain caused by inflammation can often be reduced through clinical nutrition and supplementation.
• Hip pain caused by muscle strains can be treated with therapeutic massage.
• Hip pain caused by limping due to a foot injury can be treated with podiatry.

The point is, we offer these and other services under one roof at Natural Healthcare Center for a reason. Every treatment plan is personalized for the individual. We don’t push services. We have a collaborative team of clinicians that creates solutions to problems. Those solutions could involve dozens of treatment techniques.

If you’re experiencing hip pain from an injury or chronic condition, schedule a complimentary consultation at Natural Healthcare Center. Let us diagnose and attack the source of the problem with a personalized treatment plan that helps you feel better, function better and live longer.