If you suffer from hip pain, you're one of 15 percent of adults in the U.S. with hip pain or stiffness, according to the 2006 National Center for Health Statistics Report. Hip pain can be a symptom of many medical conditions, and exercise is often prescribed to help. However, exercise can worsen some forms of hip pain, so consult your health care provider before starting any exercise program.
Identification
If you have pain on the inside of your hip or groin, it's likely due to problems within the hip joint, the Mayo Clinic says. Hip pain on the outside of your hip, thigh or buttocks is usually due to injury or an inflammatory disease such as arthritis or bursitis affecting the muscles, ligaments and tendons around your hip joint. In some instances, hip pain can be a referred pain from your lower back or knees.
Expert Insight
Gentle exercise is a great way to strengthen the muscles around your hip joint if you suffer from arthritis, according to Edward Laskowski, M.D., of the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota. Swimming, water aerobics and low-impact exercise such as a stationary bicycle are good choices. Stretching can also help increase your range of hip motion and reduce the pain. Avoid activities that put stress or acute pressure on your hip joints, such as playing tennis and running.
Considerations
If your hip pain is severe, you may need to wait until the pain has improved before beginning exercise and working with a physical therapist to design a program right for you. When you begin exercise, you should do it slowly and carefully to avoid further injury or pain, MedlinePlus says. If your hip pain is new and it still hurts after a week of home treatment, or if you have an associated fever or rash, contact your doctor right away.
Prevention/Solution
To prevent injuries or conditions that cause hip pain, stay away from exercises or activities that raise one of your hips above the other for a long period, such as running on an uneven surface. Warm up and stretch before exercise and cool down afterward. If you play football, hockey or another contact sport, wear hip pads. The Joint Center at Orthopedic Institute in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, suggests losing weight; a diet rich in fiber and complex carbohydrates found in vegetables, whole wheat and fruits; and regular exercise via an activity that's gentle on your joints.
