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5 Signs to See a PT for Hip Pain

In Raleigh, Durham, Fayetteville, Greensboro, and surrounding NC areas


Just like a check-engine light in your car warns you of potential issues under the hood, your body’s “check-engine light” often manifests as pain. However, pain isn’t always a concerning thing. For example, if you walk by a table and hit your hip, you may have a bruise and pain for a few days. This is a normal process for the human body. The more concerning event is when you are experiencing either pain for a prolonged time or a loss of function.

Ignoring these warning signs can lead to further complications and keep you from doing the things you need to do or want to do. Just as you wouldn’t ignore your car’s check-engine light, it’s essential to pay attention to your body and know when it’s time to get help. In this blog we’ll go over some of those signs that indicate it’s time to “check-in” with a physical therapist for your hip pain.

This list isn’t all-inclusive, but these are five of the most common things that your BreakThrough PT can help you fix to get your hip back to 100%.

#1 – Strength, Muscle, & Bone Loss

  • Difficulty lifting heavy objects
  • Fatigue after activity
  • Trouble walking uphill
  • Osteoporosis
  • Sarcopenia

#2 – Balance Issues

  • Unsteady walking
  • Trouble going down the stairs without a handrail
  • Difficulty navigating curbs and uneven terrain
  • Frequent falls

#3 – Difficulty with Functional Mobility

  • Going up/down the stairs
  • Getting off the ground
  • Standing up from a chair
  • Transferring into your car

#4 – Flexibility Losses

  • Crossing your legs
  • Putting your shoes on
  • Squatting
  • Picking things up from the ground

#5 – Impaired Recreational Activities

  • Walking
  • Running
  • Lifting weights
  • Sports
    • pickleball, golf, tennis, soccer, etc.

As you and your physical therapist work on your functional deficits, you’ll be able to get to the root cause of your pain. Hip pain usually results from injury, overuse, degenerative conditions, or surgery. Here are some of the most common generators of hip pain:

  • Hip arthritis
  • Hip muscle strain
  • Hip impingement
  • Hip labral tear
  • Hip fracture
  • Hip tendonitis / tendinopathy
  • Sciatica
  • Hip bursitis
  • Piriformis syndrome
  • Snapping hip syndrome

If you’re interested in more information on causes of hip pain and how we treat it, click here.

Summary

Recognizing these five signs to see a physical therapist for hip pain can be the key to regaining control of your health and function. By taking action early and addressing these warning signs, you can prevent further complications, accelerate your recovery, and get back to doing the things you love without issue.

Our physical therapists’ knowledge and skills go beyond simple pain relief. They will work closely with you to develop personalized treatment plans tailored to your specific needs and goals. Whether it’s addressing muscle weakness, improving range of motion, or enhancing your balance and stability, our physical therapists offer a comprehensive approach to hip pain management.

Want to learn more? Check out our other articles on the hip or give us a call!

More Information on Hip Pain

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