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Could Physical Therapy Be The Answer To Your Hip and Knee Pain?

Could Physical Therapy Be The Answer To Your Hip and Knee Pain?

Do your weight-bearing joints these days feel more like joints that only bear the pain? You may not be able to do your work, play sports, perform household chores, or even find a comfortable sitting or sleeping position if you have a hip or knee that can’t sustain your body weight without causing annoying aches or agonizing pains.

With these limitations and frustrations, you may be gulping down painkillers or considering joint replacement surgery. Fortunately, many causes of hip and knee pain contribute to very good physical therapy, 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 our clinic 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!

Reasons for hip and knee pain

During the course of your life, your hips and knees will do a lot of work! The majority of your body weight must endure these joints—not only while you’re standing still, but also when you walk, run, climb, or leap.

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:

  • 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.
  • 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.
  • “Runner’s knee” – An unstable kneecap can lead to chronic knee pain. This condition is known as patellofemoral syndrome or “runner’s knee.”

A bad case of hip or knee pain can exacerbate various health or lifestyle challenges. A prime example is being overweight. This can cause unnatural stress to be exerted on a hip or knee by musculoskeletal misalignment or postural imbalance. Lack of exercise can make it possible to weaken the muscles, setting the stage for chronic strain and joint instability.

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!

Physical therapy techniques can battle your pain

Although many people fight against their chronic pain with over-the-counter pain relievers or surgery, those aren’t the only options available. Getting relief from knee or hip pain doesn’t necessarily involve the use of heavy drugs such as opiates or procedures such as 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 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:

  • Hip flexion, extension, or abductor exercises
  • Leg lifts
  • Hamstring curls
  • Step exercises
  • Knee lifts
  • Hip rotations
  • Heel-to-buttock-exercises
  • Mini-squats

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.

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?

Physical therapy may be the answer you’ve been looking for…

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 Total Care Physical Therapy to get started!

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