Do your weight-bearing joints feel more like pain-bearing joints these days? If you have a hip or knee that can’t support your body weight without causing annoying aches and agonizing pains, you may not be able to do your job, play sports, do household chores, or even find a comfortable sitting or sleeping position.
You may be taking painkillers or considering joint replacement surgery as a result of these limitations and frustrations. Many causes of hip and knee pain, fortunately, contribute to excellent physical therapy, which is the standard approach to pain management.
If you’re interested in learning more about the benefits of physical therapy for this kind of pain, contact Good Hands Physical Therapy today. Our physical therapists are trained movement specialists who will be able to properly assess your condition and come up with an effective plan of action for your treatment!
Why do my hips and knees bother me so much?
Your hips and knees will do a lot of work throughout your life! Not only when you’re standing still, but also when you walk, run, climb, or leap, the majority of your body weight is supported by these joints.
Hip or knee pain can exacerbate a variety of health and lifestyle issues. Being overweight is a good example. Musculoskeletal misalignment or postural imbalance can put an abnormal amount of stress on a hip or knee. Muscle weakness can result from a lack of exercise, setting the stage for chronic strain and joint instability.
It is not surprising that the knee and hip joints can be riddled with a number of illnesses and injuries. The cause of your pain and stiffness may be due to one of the following conditions:
- Strains, sprains, and ruptures – Athletes are vulnerable to ruptures of the ACL (anterior cruciate ligament). The knee and hip joints can move thanks to muscles, tendons, and ligaments. Repetitive motion or acute injuries can cause a strain (damage to muscles or tendons) or a sprain (hyperextension of a ligament).
- Osteoarthritis – Osteoarthritis is a degeneration of the cartilage that normally keeps the bone ends in a joint from rubbing together. The resulting friction causes chronic pain and inflammation.
- Bursitis – Both the hips and knees have fluid-filled sacs called bursae that prevent friction between bones and soft tissues. Unfortunately, these sacs can become inflamed from overuse, a painful condition called bursitis.
- “Runner’s knee” – An unstable kneecap can lead to chronic knee pain. This condition is known as patellofemoral syndrome or “runner’s knee.”
Physical therapists treat hip and knee pain every day. Your case will be no different. If you are experiencing this kind of pain and you’re noticing that it’s interfering with your daily life, it’s a good time to call up our clinic and make an appointment!
How physical therapy can change your life for the better
Although many people use over-the-counter pain relievers or surgery to manage their chronic pain, these aren’t the only options. Getting rid of your knee or hip pain doesn’t always necessitate the use of powerful drugs like opiates or invasive procedures like joint replacement surgery.
Physical therapists are trained movement specialists who can assess your condition and pain symptoms in order to create the proper treatment plan.
Physical therapy doesn’t have to mean strenuous workouts! Even an activity as simple as walking help preserve mobility and reduce pain in arthritic knees or hips. Our physical therapist may also recommend that you receive heat/ice therapy, ultrasound therapy, massage therapy, laser therapy, or orthotic footwear to help normalize your musculoskeletal balance.
Physical therapy can improve your joint function while also easing your pain and stiffness. Our physical therapist can prescribe exercises aimed at addressing your specific condition, such as:
- Step exercises
- Knee lifts
- Hip rotations
- Heel-to-buttock-exercises
- Mini-squats
- Hip flexion, extension or abductor exercises
- Leg lifts
- Hamstring curls
Research shows that patients who rehab their hip or knee pain with physical therapy within 15 days of symptom onset have less need for pain injections, medications or surgical intervention. Doesn’t that sound preferable to hobbling around on crutches or continuing to live in pain?
Call our clinic today for more information
Are you living with a chronic condition that is affecting the function of your knees or hips? You are not alone.
The sooner you seek physical therapy for knee or hip pain, the better. It doesn’t matter what stage of pain you’re in, it’s never too late to benefit from physical therapy.
What are you waiting for? Contact Good Hands Physical Therapy to get started!
Tags: Knee Pain, Knee Pain Relief, Hip and Knee Pain, Natural Pain Relief, Natural Treatment, Good Hands Physical Therapy, physical therapist, physical therapy, Hip Pain, Hip Pain Relief
