5 Ways To Manage Hip Pain

Are you plagued by daily hip pain? Painful hips can result from chronic conditions such as arthritis and bursitis, but can also result from overuse, too much exercise, and weak hip flexors. Many people suffer from hip pain in Sarasota and struggle to find relief. Here are some tips for relieving your pain.

Start the Day off Right with Hip Exercises

If you're not a morning person, this may not sound like a plan that is doable for you. However, stretching your hips and working out the joints first thing in the morning can go a long way in helping you achieve a pain-free day, especially for people who suffer from bursitis.

The kind of exercise that works best for people with painful hips is a simple bridge pose. Lie on your back with your shoulders and feet pressed to the floor. Lift your hips, but keep your shoulders pressed to the floor and your hands by your sides. Hold the position for about 5 seconds, lower, and repeat 10 more times. 1 set equals 10 repetitions. Try to work up to 2 or 3 sets each morning. This is a low-impact move that anyone can perform.

See that wasn't so hard, was it?

Have a Ball

You may not realize it, but strong thighs can reduce painful hips. Strengthening your inner thighs is the key. A fun way to do this is to grab a stability ball, lie on your back, place the ball between your ankles and raise your legs up and down. The added bonus to performing this move is you will strengthen not only your inner thighs and relieve your pain, but you'll also be working on strengthening your core.

While you're at it, roll on your side and work on strengthening your outer thighs too. Lie on your side and perform those Jane Fonda leg raises. Before you know it you'll have killer legs and pain-free hips.

Hop in the Pool

Many people avoid exercise because they cannot perform high-impact aerobic exercise. Fortunately, to relieve hip pain, you don't have to run a marathon or take up a Zumba class. In fact, the better option is to participate in a low-impact sport like swimming. Swimming soothes your muscles and is easy on the joints. You get the results of a strenuous workout without the pain.

Try to Lower the Number on the Scale

If you're carrying extra weight, you're not helping your hip pain. You're only making it worse. You don't have to shed a ton of weight. Losing just a few pounds can relieve the pressure on your joints and help you feel better. Osteoarthritis sufferers benefit greatly from getting their weight down to a healthy number. If you're not sure what that number is, make an appointment with your doctor or a nutritionist to figure out what you need to do to get to your ideal weight.

Relax in a Hot Bath

After a long day, the best way to relieve hip pain associated with arthritis is to soak in a warm bath. The water will soothe your aching joints and even help you calm your mind. Add some lavender, tea tree oil, or other essential oil to the water for a spa-like experience.

Most people who suffer from hip pain in Sarasota can manage it with changes in lifestyle. However, sometimes you may need additional relief. If tweaking your exercise habits and losing a bit of weight are not making it your pain better, consult with your physician to see if medication or physical therapy can give you the relief you've been seeking.