April Newsletter
You want to take care of some chores or go for a walk — but hip pain is keeping you on the couch. If this sounds familiar, know that you don’t have to suffer! At Maccio Physical Therapy, our physical therapists will guide you through a simple process to address your hip pain so you can get active again.
This newsletter will take you through that process, from understanding your symptoms to the outcomes you can expect from physical therapy. Still have questions? Call us to schedule an appointment!
Pinpoint Your’e Symptoms
There are several potential reasons why someone might develop hip pain. To treat your pain effectively, we need to pinpoint what that cause could be.
When you visit us for your initial appointment, one of the first things we’ll do is ask you to share your symptoms. “Hip pain” often causes a lot more than just pain, and being able to describe your pain, mobility limitations, and other concerns helps us get a clearer picture of your condition.
For example, you know that your hip hurts. But when do you experience pain (i.e., during activity)? Does your pain come and go? Where do you experience pain? Is it just in your hip, or do you feel it elsewhere? Is the pain a dull ache? Sharp and shooting?
Make sure to share additional symptoms you might be experiencing, too. Here are some common ones:
• Stiffness/limited range of motion in your hip
• Weakness throughout the lower extremities
• Mobility issues, including walking, going up or down stairs, or struggling to stand up
• Difficulty performing everyday tasks, such as putting on your shoes — and let us know which ones
Identify a Cause and Develop a Treatment Plan
Thanks to your detailed symptom description — as well as a health history and comprehensive physical exam — your therapist should be able to determine the underlying cause of your hip pain.
If you’re 55 or older, there’s a good chance your hip pain stems from osteoarthritis. This degenerative condition causes cartilage and bone tissue to break down, leading to pain and restricted mobility.
However, hip pain can also stem from an injury. If you’re an athlete or particularly active person, you may have suffered an acute injury, such as a labral tear, in which a ring of cartilage in the hip socket becomes damaged. You may have also sprained your hip — that is, damaged the ligaments that hold the joint together.
However, even if you haven’t had an obvious injury, an injury could still be to blame. Overuse injuries are injuries that develop gradually and, in the hip, generally affect the soft tissue — your muscles, tendons, and ligaments. They usually occur due to repetitive movements or improper biomechanics.
Your treatment plan will vary based on the underlying cause of your pain, but in most cases, we aim to…
• Help manage acute pain with manual therapy, modalities, or gentle stretches.
• Improve mobility and range of motion through targeted stretches and exercises.
• Build strength in the muscles surrounding the hip to support the joint.
• Restore your ability to perform everyday movements, such as going up stairs — and for the athletes, we’ll help restore your ability to perform sport-specific movements.
Understand Your Outcomes
As with treatments, your exact outcomes will vary based on the underlying cause. However, other factors can come into play, too, such as age, health status, and the amount of time you can spend with physical therapy (whether in the clinic or performing home exercise programs).
For example, osteoarthritis has no cure, but you can manage your symptoms with regular physical activity. If you stick with your prescribed exercise program, you can minimize pain, slow the progression of your condition, and delay or even avoid surgery.
If you suffered an injury, you likely will be able to resolve your hip pain, usually within 1-3 months. However, if your injury was severe, full rehabilitation — the point at which you’ve fully restored strength and function — may take longer. Continuing any prescribed exercises is important even if you no longer feel pain.
Start Your Own Journey to Hip Pain Relief Today
No matter the reason for your hip pain, the physical therapists at Maccio Physical Therapy will guide you toward lasting relief.
Call our clinic today to schedule a consultation, so you can get started on your road to recovery!
Patient Success SPOTLIGHT
“Pain in my hip and leg began in summer and worsened into the fall. It reached a point where stepping out of the shower hurt, and putting on socks was almost impossible due to the pain. Even sitting at my desk at work hurt. Hiking in the woods was difficult because I couldn’t pick my foot up high enough to climb even small hills. Physical therapy seemed to start helping immediately, though early progress was slow. Joe pushed me a little farther every visit — not so much pushed as guided – and the improvement picked up speed. The pain is still there, and it varies by day, but it’s so slight that I feel like I can do whatever I want now. It sounds silly, but a big achievement was being able to put a sock on, pain-free, while standing. I’m done with therapy for now, but I’m surely going to keep up the exercises.”
—Alan
“I was unable to do many normal activities due to severe hip pain in one hip. After several sessions, I felt very comfortable with almost all activities. My recovery is a direct result of Maccio Physical Therapy.”
—Mark
Greta, Wills, Fritz, & Roberta’s Corner
Dig Into Gardening — Without the Aches!
Playing in the dirt? That sounds like a blast! But did you know gardening can sometimes be tough on your muscles and joints? Senior says digging, planting, weeding, mulching, and raking can put a lot of stress on your shoulders, back, neck, and knees. Ouch!
But don’t worry — we’ve got some super tips to help keep you gardening pain-free!
Bend Smart! Too much bending can make your lower back grumpy. Did you know your back is actually more at risk in the morning? That’s because your spine soaks up fluid overnight, making it stiffer. Try gentle back bends, press-ups, or neck stretches to keep things loose before you start!
Listen to Your Body! If your back or neck starts to ache, take a break, switch up your task, or stretch it out. And don’t be a hero—use a garden cart or wheelbarrow instead of lifting heavy stuff on your own!
Use Your Superpower: Proper Form! Bend at your knees, keep a little curve in your back, and change positions often to keep from getting stiff. If you’re kneeling, use pads to protect your knees (your future self will thank you!).
If you ever feel unsure about how to stay safe while gardening, we’re here to help! Call us anytime with questions — Senior’s got your back (literally)!
Free Workshop
It’s Your Choice
Patient Choice — You have a choice to pick whatever physical therapy provider you wish. It is imperative to do your research in this area to be able to make this important choice.
Direct Access — Most insurance companies will allow you to see a physical therapist first before seeing your doctor.
Why Choose PT First?
“Positive MRI result should not be an indication for surgery unless the history and physical examination were found to be consistent with the MRI result.” (Robert F. LaPrade, MD — Steadman Research Institute)
“There is poor correlation between a patient’s clinical presentation and the reported MRI findings.” (Richard Herzog, MD, FACR — Hospital for Special Surgery)
It is extremely rare that we refer out for X-rays or MRIs with direct access patients, as the MDT mechanical examination is safe, effective, and rules out any serious concerns.
DID YOU SPOT OUR MISSPELLED WORD?
Don’t forget to call in with the misspelled word in each newsletter and refer a friend or family member to be entered to win a gift card!
Congratulations to our winners this month!
Referral: Rachel L. and Peg G.
Misspelled Word: Joan K.
Let’s Get You Better ASAP!
Don’t let pain dictate your life. Take the first step towards reclaiming your mobility and well-being with our expert support. Start your journey to a healthier you today.
