Change Your Sleep Position
Switching your sleep position could offer some immediate relief from hip pain when sleeping. If youre a side sleeper, try sleeping on your back and see how it feels. Although you will instinctively roll to your favored position, do your best to stay on your back. Side sleepers can also find relief with the following tips.
Ice The Affected Portion:
One of the preventive methods for hip pain at night is lying on the side. Identify the affected area, then rest yourself for a moment and start icing the area for about 15 minutes. Icing the pain-causing place can reduce the burning sensation.
This helps in breaking down the sore hip intense pain and bringing you out of inflammation. Doing this kind of physical therapy can address hip pain, trigger pressure points, and give you immediate relief.
Relieving Bedtime Hip Pain
In addition to medical treatment, there are some things you can do to avoid hip pain while you sleep. One of the biggest causes of nighttime hip pain is sleeping on your side a position most Americans prefer. Sleeping on an injured or arthritic hip puts pressure on the joint, so it’s really no surprise that your symptoms are worse.
But hip pain can worsen even if you sleep on your opposite side. Thats because when you lie on your unaffected side, the painful hip can lean forward, a position that also puts strain on the joint.
In both these instances, placing a firm pillow between your knees can help by supporting your top hip and keeping the joint in a more natural alignment. If youre a back sleeper, a pillow under your knees can help relieve hip discomfort by reducing stress on your back.
In addition to using a pillow for support, these other tips may also help:
- Gentle stretching during the day to help relieve strain
- Investing in a more supportive mattress
- Avoiding alcohol before bed
- Setting a normal sleep schedule
- Taking over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medicines before bed
- Using ice to reduce inflammation
- Having joint injections to relieve pain
Many people with chronic hip pain benefit from physical therapy to help strengthen the hip joint and relieve inflammation in and around the joint.
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Hip Pain After Pregnancy
It is a common belief that pregnancy is the main cause of joint and hip pain, after which the life of mothers becomes normal. However, it seems that these beliefs are completely wrong and these pains can continue even after you give birth.
Whether hip pain is caused by hormonal changes or physical needs of pregnancy, no one should neglect them and if you are experiencing hip pain after pregnancy, you better take the symptoms and causes seriously. Note that this pain can last for a long time if not taken seriously.
For the above reasons, the Hipregnancy team has prepared an article in which we will help you diagnose your problem and get your physicians help as soon as possible.
Knee And Hip Pain: Causes And Treatment
Knee and hip pain at the same time can be caused by a number of things. It could be an injury, arthritis, or even just everyday wear and tear. Whatever the cause, it can be incredibly frustrating and make it difficult to get around. If youre dealing with this kind of pain, its important to see a doctor to get a proper diagnosis and treatment plan.
A knee joint is a body part that allows for normal leg movement and is responsible for walking normally. The hip joint contains both a hip bone and a knee bone . A ball-and-socket joint in your body is the largest and allows for a wide range of motion, from walking to running to climbing. Arthritis is a condition that causes swelling and pain in the joints of the body, such as the knees and hips. It can cause hip pain when the cartilage covering on the ball and socket wears out. It is common for the knee to be injured due to a tear in the knees meniscus. It is a common issue that causes pain on the outside of the upper thigh due to bursitis.
The most common type of injury to the PCL is thedashboard injury. This condition occurs when a bent knee causes an object to strike the shin forcefully. Rest, ice, elevation, and compression are all included in the first stage of treatment.
Hip and leg pain is usually caused by muscle sprains, tears, or strains in the lower back, buttocks, hips, and thighs. Joint issues can be a problem. Arthritis can cause pain in the hip, lower back, and knee, as well as pain throughout the body.
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How Do I Know If My Hip Pain Is Serious
Hip pain is relatively common, even some more severe hip pains go away in a couple of days without a trip to the doctor. However, if your hip pain becomes drastically worse over a short period, it may be a sign that something more serious needs addressed. We also suggest going to the doctor right away if youre unable to put weight on your hip or move your hip.
Pain On The Side Of Your Hip Is More Likely From Tendinitis Tight Muscles Or Another Condition
Hip bursitis an inflammation between your thighbone and nearby tendons is commonly diagnosed when patients have pain on the outer side of the hip. However, several other conditions can cause similar pain, and require different treatments. “Doctors often assume that pain on the outer side of the hip is due to bursitis. But 90% of the time, it’s not bursitis,” says Dr. Lauren Elson, a physiatrist with Harvard-affiliated Massachusetts General Hospital.
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Find A Good Sleep Position
Finding the right position can be the most crucial part of avoiding pain during sleep. Twisting and turning to find a comfortable spot is normal, Dr. Dapul says. But even the slightest twinge of pain can disrupt your rest. She recommends starting out sleeping on your side avoid a sore shoulder if you have one with a pillow between your legs. Try avoiding lying flat on your back, too.
Side-sleeping wont work for all shoulder pain, though. Minimize that discomfort by wrapping your arm in a bandage or wearing a sling to bed. Itll keep your arm immobile and prevent you from sleeping with your arm in an awkward position.
Sleeping On My Side Is Causing Recurrent Hip Pain
Aching hips and sore legs arent the best way to start the day. If you experience hip pain at night, there might be an underlying issue. Conditions like arthritis and bursitis can cause inflammation, and the pressure from sleeping on your side can aggravate it. While you might still need a new mattress, you can know exactly whats behind your hip pain.
At The Spine and Sports Center in Sugarland and Houston, Texas, Dr. Benoy Benny and our team help identify the source of your hip pain and figure out why sleeping on your side makes it so much worse.
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How To Relieve Hip Pain While Sleeping
Chronic pain makes it hard for most people to get a good nights sleep. This is because every time you move, your pain gets worse. For example, if you suffer from hip discomfort, it may be difficult to find a comfortable posture to sleep in due to the stress and strain on your hip joints.
When you are unable to sleep effectively, your capacity to heal and recover completely after an injury or from a painful health condition may be compromised. So, it is better to find strategies to relieve hip pain while sleeping.
Continue reading to learn more about hip pain while sleeping, as well as its causes and potential treatments.
How To Relieve Hip And Knee Pain
If you are experiencing hip and knee pain, there are a few things you can do to find relief. First, try icing the affected area for 20 minutes at a time. You can also take over-the-counter pain medication, such as ibuprofen. If the pain is severe, you may need to see a doctor for a cortisone injection.
An extra ten pounds of body weight places 50 pounds of pressure on your hips and knees. Walking, swimming, and even yoga are all ways to relieve hip pain. There are a few exercises that can help with hip pain in addition to stretching, strengthening, and stabilizing. Warm up your muscles as soon as you begin stretching. Lie flat on your back instead of standing for extended periods of time in one stretch of flat shoes. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are commonly used when you have a hip injury. If you have rheumatoid arthritis, your doctor may advise you to use a steroid to relieve your pain.
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Use A Mattress Topper
Try a mattress topper like Polysleep’s antimicrobial memory foam mattress topper. This 2-inch ventilated antimicrobial topper helps upgrade any mattress.
It conforms to your body precisely which ensures adequate spine alignment while you’re sleeping.
The foam in this antimicrobial foam topper is also extremely breathable and allows hot air to escape, providing you with a comfortable, cool and deep sleep.
Sleep With A Pillow Between Your Legs
Using a pillow is one of the easiest ways to reduce and even eliminate hip pain at night and while sleeping on your side.
Many side sleepers find that using an extra pillow between their legs is more comfortable, even if they dont have any existing hip pain or tightness. The pillow can be placed between your thighs and knees but you can also use a longer pillow that extends down to your ankles as well.
The main reason that using a pillow to prop up the top leg relieves the hip pain at night lying on your side is that it helps keep your pelvic bone level, your spine straight, and your knees evenly stacked on top of one another.
Side sleeping is not always the best sleep position for those with hip pain, but this gets you much closer to proper alignment.
When you are sleeping on your side without a pillow between your legs, the gravity, and the weight of your leg, pulls on your hip muscles and irritates the joint area. By allowing your leg to be more in line with your hip, you relieve that strain on the hip joint and muscles.
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How To Tell If You Need A New Mattress
Sometimes, a worn-out mattress is a large contributor to hip pain and other types of pain. After years of use, mattresses will develop permanent impressions in the foam, sagging in the coils, and other signs of wear that can significantly diminish the amount of support a mattress provides. If you experience any of the following signs in addition to your hip pain, its likely time for a new bed:
- You notice impressions, lumps, sagging, rips and tears, or other signs of wear in your bed
- You tend to roll to the center of the mattress while sleeping
- You find the couch or other places to sleep more comfortable than your own bed
- Its been more than 7 years since youve purchased a new mattress
- You cant remember the last time you purchased a new mattress
The average mattress lasts from 6 to 8 years, but mattress lifespan varies depending on the quality and materials its made of. Cheap memory foam and innerspring mattresses can last as little as 4 years, while higher-quality hybrid and latex models can last as many as 9 or 10.
Whether your hip pain is a direct result of your mattress or not, an old mattress isnt helping. Most online mattress companies offer sleep trials, which allow you to try the mattress for at least 100 days before committing to it. We recommend making use of this to help ease your hip pain.
How Can I Relieve My Nighttime Hip Pain
Some types of hip pain benefit from a little gentle exercise and stretching during the day. Does your job require a lot of sitting or standing? If so, you might be more prone to pain in your lower back and hips. The same is true if youre really physically active, and using your legs and hips to exercise often. If you are normally sedentary and begin to exercise frequently, this can be a cause of sudden hip pain. We recommend gradually easing into an exercise program, allowing your hips and joint to follow suit. Gentle stretching loosens stiff muscles and improves circulation in the area so youre more comfortable while you sleep.
If nighttime hip pain is common, consider taking a pain reliever before bed. A warm bath or shower or a deep massage are other options worth considering, especially if your pain is related to muscles and other soft tissues. You might benefit from a heating pad or an ice pack, depending on the underlying cause of your pain.
For some types of chronic pain, Dr. Van Thiel might recommend physical therapy. Hip joint injections are another option, especially if pain relievers and therapy arent working.
Hip pain is often related to lower back pain. If youre a back-sleeper, try putting a pillow under your knees to slightly bend them. Often, thats all it takes to adjust the lower-back strain that causes bedtime hip pain. Adding a mattress topper or springing for an entirely new mattress might also help.
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Tendonitis Of The Hip
After a workout or unusual physical activity, the tendons around the hip bone can become irritated and inflamed. As you age, this happens more frequently because tendons are less elastic and flexible. If the hip area is red or swollen and you have trouble bending forward, tendonitis may be the culprit. Resting the area and applying heat and ice alternately can help. Physical therapy and anti-inflammatory medications can also bring relief. In severe cases of hip tendonitis, surgery may be needed.
Other Hip Pain Relief Sleeping Strategies
Sleep Hygiene this is another topic that we will explore in much more detail in the future.
Sleep hygiene considers many aspects around making sure you select the best internal and external environment to help facilitate better sleep. As a brief overview, here are a few simple things you may include:
Consider what you eat and drink before you sleep
Dont exercise immediately prior to sleep
Stay clear of screens for at least an hour before you sleep
Ensure a dark room
Block out noise earplugs are so simple and so effective
Routine: keep a routine trying to go to sleep and wake up at similar times day to day.
Look at relaxation strategies prior to sleep. This may be through learning to meditate and calm the mind. It may be through reading or listening to music. There are endless possibilities here.
Meditation: many people through this idea out before even trying headspace is a great, easy app with a free trial where you can give meditation a go in many different forms there may actually be something here that works for you.
Visit ourPain Locator Mapto learn more about soft tissue related pain in different regions around the hip and pelvis.
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What Causes Hip Pain At Night And In The Morning
If you have started experiencing hip pain in the morning after sleeping or during the night, you probably want to know what causes it.
And thats the first step in trying to resolve this issue. Once you know the source of the problem, it will be much easier for you to find an effective, working method that could bring relief.
So, lets take a look at the most common reasons that might be standing behind your hip pain:
Check out our Free Sleep Calculator which helps you to find the best time to go to bed and wake up in order to feel rested.
How Can I Treat Hip Pain At Home
Another way to reduce pain when sleeping is by icing your affected hip before going to bed. If you have pain that is caused by inflammation such as arthritis, tendinitis, or bursitis, then icing the affected area for 15-20 minutes will help constrict blood vessels. This will help reduce inflammation and pain in the area. Icing for longer than 20 minutes can allow for the blood vessels to dilate and cause the inflammation to return.
Why does my hip hurt while I am sleeping? Why do I keep experiencing hip pain? Learn more about hip pain by reading this ARTICLE.
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Use Cushions To Your Advantage
The location of a pillow can play a vital role in relieving discomfort associated with sore, tender hips. A wedge-shaped pillow can be positioned beneath the lower back or below the knees for back sleepers. This aids in slightly elevating the hips and relieving strain on them. A pillow can be placed under or between the knees of side sleepers. Again, the objective is to ensure that the sensitive hip is not driven into the mattress and is not under excessive strain. If you do not have a pillow of the appropriate size, a folded blanket or towel may suffice.
Hip Pain Relief Sleeping Strategy 2
If you sleep on your back, try sleeping with a pillow under your knees. This can relax tension through the lower back and buttock area as well as in the front of the hip. This in turn can help reduce pain related to the front and back of the hip and pelvis, for example in conditions related to the hip joint, the labrum, soft tissue structures and nerve structures
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