Pain in your back and hip can arise from numerous factors, including bruises, muscle strain, inflammation, sciatic nerve irritation, dislocation, exercise and weight. According to arthritis.org, back pain affects 50 percent to 80 percent of Americans. You may find walking, climbing stairs or sitting still difficult with back pain. Stretching, anti-inflammatory medicines, painkillers and surgery are options for treatment, depending on the type of back or hip pain.
Causes
A direct blow to your hip or back or bumping into an object can cause bruising if the impact is hard enough. This causes pain, especially if your bruise is close to a muscle attachment. If you overstretch your hamstrings or glutamate muscles, you may suffer painful muscle strain in the hip or back. If the bursae around your hip become inflamed, pain may spread to your hip muscle. This is called bursitis and is caused by running on an incline or not adjusting your bicycle seat properly. The U.S. National Institute of Health says sciatica causes back pain. This may be caused by a ruptured disk, narrowing of the spinal canal or a fractured pelvis. Arthritis, tendinitis or osteonecrosis cause hip pain.
Lifestyle
Your lifestyle can vastly affect the pain you experience in your back and hip muscles. A study by the Nordic Institute for Chiropractic and Clinical Biomechanics links obesity and smoking to pain in your lower back. Your job may cause you pain in your back or hip if you have to lift, bend and twist. A sedentary lifestyle in which you do little exercise may make you more likely to suffer back or hip pain when you suddenly begin to use a shovel or move heavy objects. High-impact sports, cycling or poor technique when using a golf club or tennis racket are possible causes. Your posture or your sleeping position may lead to back or hip pain.
Consequences
Sciatic pain can cause you to struggle with walking and climbing hills and stairs. If the bursa on your hip becomes inflamed, you may find it hard to lie on that side. If you fracture your hip, you can struggle to support weight on that side and can find movement difficult.
Treatment
Treatment for pain in your hip or back depends on what caused it. If swelling of the spinal column gives you pain, an injection of anti-inflammatory medicine in the column is advised by the U.S. National Institute of Health. If you fracture or dislocate your hip, surgery may be required. If your bursae become inflamed, oral capsules such as ibuprofen relieve pain. Avoiding strenuous exercise while the pain exists to help prevent it from worsening. Applying heat to tight hip or back muscles and performing stretches recommended by a chiropractor or physiotherapist helps manage the pain.
Prevention
When exercising, perform a warm-up and cool-down and stretch your muscles to reduce risking injuries in your hips and back. Avoid twisting motions and bend your knees to lift safely. Exercise regularly, avoid running on an incline, have an expert adjust your bicycle seat, maintain a healthy weight and avoid smoking. Consult a doctor if you experience any back or hip pain.
