Hip Pain Treatment: Natural Remedies and Solutions for Hip Joint Pain

The hip is one of the most complex joints in the body. Supported by muscles, it allows us to move however we want—whether we’re walking or jumping.

At the same time, it can be affected by a wide range of disorders. Take hip dysplasia, for example, it occurs when the hip socket doesn’t fully support the ball at the upper end of the thighbone.

What other causes of hip pain are there? Find the answer by reading the rest of the post—we’ll also be going over how you can treat it!

Common Causes of Hip Pain

Arthritis is the most common cause of chronic hip pain. More specifically, it can be due to osteoarthritis (wearing down of cartilage due to age) or rheumatoid arthritis (cartilage and bone are destroyed by the body’s immune system).

Other common hip pains that are reversible are, joint misalignment and ligament tightness, osteoarthritis, are easily reversible with proper chiropractic care. 

Another possible cause is trochanteric bursitis, a condition that occurs when the bursa—a liquid-filled sac near the hip joint—becomes inflamed.

Last but not least, it can be due to a hip fracture. While it can happen to everyone, it generally affects older adults, especially those with osteoporosis.

Hip Pain Symptoms

The extent of the pain depends on the cause. For example, arthritis will generally cause stiffness or swelling in addition to pain.

As for hip fractures, an individual will typically experience pain when they stand, straighten, or lift their leg. In some cases, the pain can also radiate down to the knees.

Natural Treatments for Hip Pain

There are ways to treat hip pain without taking any medications. Here are some remedies that you might want to try:

Cold and Heat 

It’s possible to treat the pain by applying heat or ice. Pick whichever helps you most and apply it to your hip area as needed.

If necessary, you can also switch between hot and cold packs. For the best results, apply it for 20-30 minutes at a time, two to three times a day.

Stretching 

Stretching can help ease tightness and discomfort in the hips. For example, you can do a standing stretch, kneeling stretch, or supine stretch.

Keep in mind, however, that the stretch that you’re doing shouldn’t be painful. Stop immediately if there’s any pain.

Rest 

Rest the affected joint as much as possible so that it has a chance to heal. Avoid doing things that require you to put pressure on the hips.

Similarly, you don’t want to sleep on your side if you have hip pain—that can make things worse.

Going to a Chiropractor for Hip Pain

Chiropractors can use various techniques to resolve your hip pain. For instance, they can perform an adjustment if the pain is due to a joint misalignment.

They can also work with you to create a personalized stretching and exercise routine. As it is, this is great for strengthening and increasing the range of motions in your hips.

Seeking Treatment For Hip Pain 

And there you have it—a short guide on what hip pain is and how to treat it. Remember, you don’t want to wait too long before seeking treatment!

Thinking of giving chiropractic care a try? Contact us to make an appointment if you’re in the Mill Creek area!

Jumper’s Knee: Things You Need to Know About Patellar Tendonitis

The knee is the largest joint in the body. Not only that, but it’s also the most complex. For one thing, it’s made up of three bones—the femur, tibia, and patella.

At the same time, however, it’s also the joint that’s most likely to be injured. Take ACL injuries, for example—they occur when you tear or sprain one of the ligaments that keep your knee in place.

Patellar tendinitis aka jumper’s knee is another example. Instead of the ligaments, however, it affects the tendons.

What causes it? How can you treat it? Keep reading to find out!

What is Patellar Tendonitis?

Patellar tendonitis, also known as jumper’s knee, is a condition in which the patellar tendon becomes inflamed. Generally speaking, it occurs just below the kneecap.

In the initial stages, the pain may be sporadic; swelling may also be present. As the tendon becomes more damaged, however, it can progressively get worse. For example, it’s not uncommon for it to interfere with daily activities such as sitting or climbing stairs.

Causes For Patellar Tendonitis

Patellar tendonitis occurs when there’s repeated stress on the knee. Ultimately, it’s this stress that causes tears in the tendon.

More often than not, it’s due to sports or exercise. Certain things can also contribute to the condition such as obesity, improperly fitted shoes, misaligned feet, or uneven leg strength.

Note: Athletes tend to be at a higher risk due to their long training sessions.

Natural Treatments for Patellar Tendonitis

It’s possible to treat jumper’s knee without any medication. For example, you can apply ice. Not only will it alleviate the pain, but it’ll also bring down the swelling.

Don’t apply the ice directly to your knee, though. Instead, wrap it in a towel so that it won’t come into direct contact with your skin.

Aside from that, there are stretching exercises that you can do that’ll help. Ultimately, the goal is to lengthen the muscle-tendon unit so that there will be fewer muscle spasms.

Chiropractic Treatment for Patellar Tendonitis

There are a few different ways that a chiropractor can treat jumper’s knee. For instance, they can use electrical muscle stimulation to loosen the tendon, which will relieve pain.

From there, they can manipulate the joint once the inflammation goes down. Depending on the severity, they may also recommend physical or massage therapy.

On top of that, there are strengthening exercises that they can teach you that’ll help strengthen the knee joint.

Treating Jumper’s Knee

Hopefully, that gives you a better understanding of how to treat jumper’s knee. As you can see, there are different methods that you can use to relieve the pain—chiropractic care being one of them!

Looking for a chiropractor in the Mill Creek area? Feel free to contact us to set up an appointment!