Hip pain can be a distressing and debilitating condition. The pain can often be excruciating and finding a way to relieve your symptoms can be tricky. However, there are some simple yet highly effective ways to ease your discomfort, but you should always make sure your GP is aware of the problem to ensure it is further investigated.
Use an effective pain relief treatment
There are a whole range of treatments available that you could try to relieve your hip pain. For example, painkiller medicines, such as paracetamol, may help reduce your soreness, while non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, like ibuprofen, can be used to reduce swelling. Alternatively, you might find that applying a hot or cold treatment to the affected area helps. Having a hot bath or holding a hot water bottle to your hip may help, or you could use something cold like an ice pack to soothe your aches and pains.
A transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) machine is another pain relief treatment you could try. This small, battery-operated machine offers a safe method to alleviate discomfort related to a number of health conditions, including hip pain. Featuring sticky pads which attach directly to the skin of the affected area, a TENS machine sends electrical pulses through the skin, disrupting pain signals travelling to the spinal cord and brain. It can also stimulate the production of endorphins; the body’s natural pain-relieving hormone. TENS machines are easily accessible from most high street pharmacies and from online health retailers such as Lloyds Pharmacy.
Try to reduce the strain
It can be easy for hip pain to interrupt your daily activities. However, there are a number of simple changes you can make that could help reduce the strain on your hip and allow you to carry on as normal. For example, you could avoid sitting on low chairs so that you don’t have as far to bend, and you may also benefit from finding a comfortable sitting position, whether you’re at work or at home. If your discomfort is particularly bad when you walk, you could use a walking stick. When used on the opposite side to your painful hip, a stick can help relieve the pressure. So, instead of letting your aching joints hinder your day-to-day life, you could try some of these simple tips to take the strain off.
Be more active
Although you may be resistant to do so at first, moving your body can be a great way to ease hip pain. Taking part in some gentle activity can help you become more supple and ease any stiffness associated with your aching joints. For example, swimming and water aerobics are good for strengthening your muscles without putting too much strain on the painful area. You could also carry out simple stretch exercises at home. Your GP should be able to advise you of some easy techniques you could try.
While your hip pain may be a nuisance, relieving your symptoms might be easier than you think if you take some of these suggestions into consideration.