Is hip pain during pregnancy common?

Hip Pain During Pregnancy
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Many women are aware that lower back pain and pelvic pain are common during pregnancy. However, they might not be aware that it’s also common to experience hip pain during pregnancies. 

One study found that slightly more than 32% of women experienced hip pain while they were pregnant. There are many reasons why so many pregnant women are at risk of developing aching hips. Physical therapists can help these women learn the factors that increase their risk of hip pain during pregnancy. They can also help you find ways to reduce your hip pain. 

Common factors that increase the risk of hip pain during pregnancy

The changes in your body during pregnancy can lead to many types of discomfort, including aching hips. However, knowing what factors increase your risk of hip pain can help you reduce or even prevent yourself from developing it. Some of the most common factors that increase the likelihood of hip discomfort in pregnant women are: 

  1. Weight gain — Your body is supposed to gain weight as your pregnancy progresses. However, this extra weight can put more stress on your hips. This added stress can cause hip muscles, ligaments and tendons to become irritated, inflamed and painful.
  1. Changes in hormone levels — The levels of many hormones change when you’re pregnant. One hormone that can lead to painful issues is relaxin. This hormone helps soften and loosen the soft tissue in your pelvic area before you give birth. A result of these soft tissue changes is that your hips could become misaligned and painful. 
  1. Weakening of core muscles — Your posture tends to change during pregnancy because of the extra weight you’re carrying. These postural changes can tire out your core muscles and add stress onto your hips. The additional stress can then lead to inflammation in the hip joint that causes pain. 

How can a physical therapist help reduce your hip pain during pregnancy?

Physical therapists can take the risk factors above into account when creating your treatment plan. They’ll also do a physical examination to see exactly what’s triggering your hip pain. This allows them to create physical therapy plans that are personalized to an individual’s needs. 

Some of the therapy techniques that can be used in your therapy plan include: 

Find help for your hip pain during pregnancy at Excel PT

Are you experiencing hip pain during your pregnancy? If you are, our women’s health team at Excel Sports & Physical Therapy in Creve Coeur, Missouri, is ready and willing to help you treat it. We offer free screenings that can pinpoint the cause(s) of your pain. Also, our specialists are adept at creating customized therapy plans designed to offer benefits like: 

  • Decreased pain.
  • Improved hip mobility.
  • Increased ability to do normal daily tasks.
  • Higher likelihood of preventing future hip pain. 

Our team also offers virtual therapy and at-home care services designed to help you get therapy right in your own home.

Contact our team today for more information about the hip pain treatment options we offer or to schedule an initial appointment.