Physical therapy is used as a conservative treatment for hip pain, regardless of the cause. Generally, your physical therapist will perform a quick examination, focusing on uncovering the cause of your hip pain. Range of motion, strength and sensation of the hip are commonly tested during an initial physical therapy examination. Your therapist will then diagnose and prescribe appropriate exercises based on the findings of the examination.
Osteoarthritis
Osteoarthritis is a common ailment of the hip, and is the result of everyday wear and tear, notes the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. Hip osteoarthritis commonly presents as stiffness in your groin, buttock or thigh, with pain flaring when you are active and getting better when you rest.
Physical therapy for hip osteoarthritis consists of gentle, regular exercise. Light strengthening and stretching programs such as swimming and cycling will keep your hip functioning with decreased pain.
Hip Bursitis
Bursae are protective fluid filled sacs located between bones and muscles that provide lubrication during movement. Your hip is home to the largest bursa in the body. Bursa can become inflamed, resulting in painful movements of the hip.
Hip bursa pain is typically on the outside of the hip. Your physical therapist will use physical modalities such as ultrasound as well as hot and cold packs to help your pain. In addition, she will show you stretches to reduce the pressure on the inflamed bursa.
Iliotibial Band Syndrome
The iliotibial band, or IT band, will usually present as pain in the knee, but occasionally will cause hip pain. The IT band runs from the hip down to the knee, on the side of the thigh. Some patients report a snapping sensation with pain when bending their hip. Your physical therapist will use a combination of physical modalities such as ultrasound and ice massage, combined with strengthening exercises to treat IT band pain at the hip, notes the Brigham and Women's Hospital.
Hip Replacement
Physical therapy perhaps has the greatest improvements on hip pain after hip replacement surgery. Your physical therapist will show you a variety of exercises to reduce your pain and return you to functional activities after surgery.
The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons notes that physical therapy generally starts the day of or the day after surgery, and can continue for around eight weeks. Your physical therapist will spend time on increasing your hip strength and gait training. Physical therapy is a vital part of recovery after this surgery.
Muscle Strains
Both the quadriceps and hamstring muscles cross the hip joint. These muscles are commonly injured during high-level activities such as running and jumping. Strains in these muscles groups will cause hip pain.
A physical therapist will ensure your return to sports by helping your sprain heal quickly through the use of heat, ice, massage and exercise. In addition, she will teach you how to properly warm up and stretch your muscles to prevent further sprains from occurring.
