If you experience chronic hip pain while you run, you aren’t alone. About 10% of athletes who seek care at sports medicine clinics report chronic hip pain. Runners place unique stress on their joints and muscles, and without proper form, training, or flexibility, running can result in chronic hip pain. If your pain has consistently limited your ability to run, it may be time to see a physical therapist.
4 ways PT can help ease your chronic hip pain from running
Chronic hip pain from running can be linked to many medical conditions. Those conditions can include arthritis, tendinitis, fractures and tears. No matter your diagnosis or injury, going to physical therapy can help decrease your hip pain. These four physical therapy benefits can give you specialized support for your hip pain:
- Thorough evaluations — During a first appointment, a physical therapist often performs an in-depth evaluation. They might analyze the patient’s running form, athletic history, health history, strength and flexibility. With this information, the patient and physical therapist can pinpoint reasons for the patient’s chronic hip pain and co-create a treatment plan. A patient’s initial physical therapy visit can therefore reveal important insights into their hip pain.
- Mobility training — Hip pain can discourage patients from exercising, and a lack of movement can lead to joint stiffness and discomfort. Studies show that exercise can help ease hip pain, especially if it’s caused by arthritis. Physical therapists can help patients gradually increase their exercise levels and range of motion, releasing tension in their joints and muscles. Under the expert guidance of a physical therapist, patients can try exercises that can increase their hip mobility and decrease pain levels.
- Strength training — If a patient’s hips often feel weak and unstable, building strength can be a great way to jump-start healing. Physical therapists know specific exercises that can gently increase blood flow to the hips, strengthening them against further injury. For example, aquatic therapy can help patients walk and run with more compression, less weight and less pressure. Strengthening the hips can help treat chronic hip pain and help prevent future flare-ups.
- Manual therapy — Manual therapy refers to hands-on treatment that targets problem areas. Joint mobilization techniques allow physical therapists to slowly move a patient’s joints, even if it’s difficult for the patient to do themselves. This technique can help ease a patient’s hip joint pain. Soft tissue mobilization is another type of manual therapy achieved by applying deep pressure to the tissue around joints.
Excel PT can help ease your chronic hip pain from running
Does your chronic hip pain from running prevent you from meeting your athletic goals? Our specialized techniques at Excel Sports & Physical Therapy can target the cause of your hip pain and personalize your treatment plan. We even offer a treatment program specific to runners. Contact our team today for more information or to schedule an initial appointment.
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