Diagnosing Lower Back And Hip Pain
The challenge is we sit way too much in todays modern world, causing our hip flexors to get tight and increasing incidence of low back pain. The hip flexor muscles sit in front and to the sides of our lower back and connect the lower back to the hip.
The above picture is taken from the visible body
Tight hip flexors compress your lower back and can cause joint injury. The bodys gluteal muscles stabilize the knee, hip, low back and pelvis in weight bearing positions. These powerful muscles are also the engine driver that pushes us forward as we walk, jog or run. Tightness in the hip flexors can weaken your gluts, resulting in overworked hamstrings and lower back muscles and ultimately, LOW BACK PAIN. The driving forces behind repetitive motion injury besides the repetitive motion are muscle imbalance and poor joint mobility. These issues are widespread in most cases of chronic musculoskeletal pain and even play a critical causative role in acute setting sports injuries. With muscle imbalance, some muscles have become glued down and tight and need to be released, while some muscles have become weak and need to be activated in order to get them to work better. The key here is to train your muscles to develop better motor control in order to move better and to prevent re-injury.
How My Orthopedic Doctor Can Help Me With Hip Pain
Hip pain is a common occurrence, and treatments for mild cases can be as simple as resting your joints and avoiding physical activities. However, if your aches do not subside despite adequate rest, you might want to get your hips checked. Muscle injury and joint damage are common causes of hip pain. Seeking professional medical help from an orthopedic doctor may be the best thing to do. But how do orthopedic doctors alleviate your hip pain?
Urgent Advice: Ask For An Urgent Gp Appointment Or Get Help From Nhs 111 If:
- you have severe hip pain that started suddenly but you’ve not had a fall or injured your hip
- your hip is swollen and feels hot
- the skin around your hip has changed colour
- you have hip pain and feel generally unwell and have a high temperature or feel hot and shivery
You can call 111 or get help from 111 online.
- Severe pain:
-
- always there and so bad it’s hard to think or talk
- you cannot sleep
- it’s very hard to move, get out of bed, go to the bathroom, wash or dress
- Moderate pain:
-
- makes it hard to concentrate or sleep
- you can manage to get up, wash or dress
- Mild pain:
You May Like: Physical Therapy For Hip Osteoarthritis
Poorly Conditioned Hamstrings Lead To Spinal And Muscular Issues
A lengthened and stronger muscle can extend and flex the legs with minimum effect on the normal curvature of the spine during activity.
Short, tight and weak muscles will exhibit much more pull, tension and fatigue on the lumbar spine and pelvis as they are no longer as efficient at relaxing and lengthening at times needed during exertion.
When hip flexors and hamstrings pull on the spine and pelvis with increased force and tension, the pressure on different sides on the discs increases dramatically and causes degeneration.
This causes too much movement and compression on your spine and discs. They become progressively worn over time and may lead to disc and vertebral problems.
What Causes Lower Back And Hip Pain
Back and hip pain can range in intensity. Some people experience a dull, constant ache, while others have sharp, shooting pain. But what causes these aches and pains? It could be a hip pointer, a pulled muscle, sciatic nerve pain, cervical spinal stenosis, lumbar stenosis, lumbar spondylosis, or something much more sinister. Thats where the orthopedic experts at SPORT come in.
Don’t Miss: Icd 10 Code For Right Hip Replacement
Signs That Your Spine Is The Source Of Your Pain
Whereas groin pain is a telltale sign that the pain is linked to the hip, pain above the waistline that travels down the body typically indicates a low back issue. A low back problem may also be responsible for other types of lower body pain, including thigh, buttock, and below-the-knee pain.
Among the most common degenerative conditions that affect the lumbar spine are herniated discs, spinal stenosis, and spondylolisthesis. These conditions cause pain by irritating your low back nerves, resulting in pain that shoots down your legs , weakness, numbness, and reducing your range of motion.
The pattern of pain coming from the lumbar spine can be variable, depending of the specific issue causing the pain. Commonly, pain from arthritis of the spine occurs during transitions such as getting out of bed in the morning or raising up from sitting. It can often then improve after getting moving. In contrast, pain from spinal stenosis or nerve pressure is often worse with prolonged standing or walking and relieved with sitting.
Types Of Doctors That Specialize In Back Pain
HARVARD TRAINED PAIN DOCTORS | VOTED #1 PAIN CENTER | PAIN TREATMENT SPECIALISTS
If you have back pain, there are a number of different specialists that can help. Back pain can be caused by a number of different reasons, and as a result, there are a number of different doctors that specialize in treating back pain in different ways. It can be difficult to know which type of doctor to see, so we have compiled a list of some of the most common back pain specialists, in order for you to make a more informed choice about your future treatment.
If you are experiencing severe pain and feel ready to find the best back pain doctor and book an appointment today, you can jump straight ahead to the bottom of this article and submit a contact form, or give us call at 767-3227. One of our team members will help you identify the best back pain doctor near you.
You May Like: Icd 10 Codes Left Hip Pain
Chronic Hip Pain Treatment
Through years of experience, weâve figured out that good and long-lasting chronic hip pain relief doesnât work unless all bases are covered.
The best hip pain management combines pain-reducing treatments combined with other selected therapies like physical and psychological rehabilitation treatment.
TYPES OF TREATMENT
What Are The Symptoms Of Low Back Pain
Low back pain is classified as acute and chronic. Acute low back pain lasts from a few days to a few weeks. Most acute low back pain will resolve on its own. Chronic low back pain lasts for more than 3 months and often gets worse. The cause of chronic low back pain can be hard to find. These are the most common symptoms of low back pain. Symptoms may include discomfort or pain in the lower back that is:
- Protruding or herniated disk
Also Check: Pain On The Right Hip
How To Tell The Difference Between Lower Back And Hip Pain
Approximately 80-90% of Americans struggle with back or hip pain at some point in their life. Many people struggle specifically with hip pain at night and wonder, Why do my hips hurt when I sleep? In fact, this kind of pain is the second most common reason for missing work aside from the common cold. At SPORT Orthopedics + Rehabilitation, we want to make sure you dont miss work just from being in pain. Call us today at and well get you back to your pain-free life.
What Is Hip And Leg Pain
Hip and leg pain can have many different causes. Because the movement of the hip joint, lower back, and leg bones are all connected, pain or inflammation in one area can cause problems in another. This is called referred pain.
Types of damage or injury that could be causing hip and leg pain are:
- Bone fractures.
- Nerve damage. Damage to the nerves can lead to neuropathy , a tingling sensation radiating into the legs and extremities.
- Muscle injury or inflammation . Muscle sprains, tears or strains in the lower back, buttocks, pelvis, and thighs can cause hip and leg pain.
- Joint problems.Arthritis can lead to pain in the hip, lumbar or lower spine, and the knee, causing pain that can be felt throughout the lower body.
Also Check: Pain In Hip Radiates Down Leg
If You Are Reading This You Probably Currently Have Have Dealt With In The Past Or Know Of Someone Close To You Who Has Experienced Chronic Low Back Pain
In fact, it is estimated that up to 80% of the population will experience low back pain at some point in their lifetime . If you have low back pain you may have even gone as far to get checked out by a doctor, only to find that you have no structural damage and are left with the advice to strengthen your core and stretch more. Despite doing this you may have had no relief from your symptoms or by chance they have become even worse.
Also Check: Getting Into Bed After Hip Replacement
Greater Trochanteric Pain Syndrome
Greater trochanteric pain syndrome describes pain that is felt along the outer hip area. Causes include sports injury, muscle tears, and injury due to motor vehicle accidents. The pain is caused by a combination of inflammation in two distinct areas: the bursa of the hip and pain in the buttock . Pain may also be caused by tendinitis of the hip abductor muscles. Symptoms of greater trochanteric pain syndrome include hip pain at night lying on side, dislocated hip symptoms, and hip muscle weakness. Hip pain relief can be sought through anti-inflammatory medications, physical therapy, and stretches for hip pain.
Read Also: Symptoms Of Hip Out Of Alignment
What Could Cause Lower Back And Hip Pain To The Right Side
Lower back and hip pain on only the right side could also be muscle strain, arthritis, a trauma-related injury, tendinitis, bursitis, tight muscles, kidney stones, a kidney infection, or even appendicitis.
The classic appendicitis symptom is pain in your right lower abdomen, but it could also radiate to your right lower back. If you happen to have appendicitis, kidney stones, or a kidney infection, you will likely also have fever, nausea, vomiting, and painful urination as well, which are not symptoms of muscular or skeletal issues.
Women experiencing lower back and hip pain on the right side could be experiencing another set of issues like endometriosis, uterine fibroids, pelvic inflammatory disease, pelvic floor dysfunction, or pelvic girdle pain.
Easy Stretches To Release Lower Back And Hip Pain
If you are suffering from lower back or hip pain, you are not alone. More than 26 million Americans, between the ages of 20 and 64, experience back pain and, very often, lower back and hip pain are related.
In our current age of technology, many of us find ourselves sitting in front of the computer for most of the day. All of this sitting can cause tightness in the hamstrings, shoulders, and hip flexors, as well as a weakening of the core .
Our deepest hip flexor, the Psoas, is directly connected to our lumbar spine. So if our hip flexors get tight, they will begin to tug uncomfortably at the lower spine, thus causing stiffness and achiness in the lower back and uncomfortable hip pain.
Suffering from a sore neck, back and shoulders? Get our mobility guide to ease pain and soreness.
Fortunately, regularly stretching can help reverse some of this tightness. Here are 9 easy stretches that can be done just about anywhere to relieve lower back and hip pain.
Don’t Miss: Lower Right Hip And Back Pain
What Is Radiating Pain
Radiating pain is pain that “radiates” from one area of the body to other areas of the body. When pain in one area of the body causes pain in other areas, this is known as “referred pain.” In fact, radiating lower back and hip pain can cause pain in all kinds of places near these areas like
- Thigh muscle pain
- Pain back of the knee
- Knee pain at night
- Pain in the upper thigh
- Numbing of nerves in leg
- Hip and groin pain
- Pain in the back of leg behind the knee
- Pain in one side side
- Pain in the calf
- Pain in back of the knee
- Hip and groin pain
- Sharp pain in the toes
- Lower calf pain
Note your symptoms from the list above and use these to learn your diagnosis with our helpful descriptions of symptoms, possible causes, and when you should get to a doctor or emergency room to know how to treat your injury.
Try These Hip Abductor Exercises At Home
Fortunately, you dont need any specialized equipment for many hip-strengthening exercises. Hip abduction exercises need less weight than a glute workout, making it a relatively easy area to focus on.
Hip abductor strengthening can help with both hip pain and knee symptoms, as well as correcting over posture. As always, seeking guidance from a professional before diving into new exercise regimens is advised. You should also be very careful when stretching and doing hip abduction exercises, as straining these muscles can be painful and limit your mobility.
Beginners should start without resistance bands and try a few reps at a time. From there, you can slowly work up to higher reps and eventually resistance bands for an added challenge.
Dr. Kristina DeMatas
AS SEEN ON
Don’t Miss: Hip Pain It Band Syndrome
Hip Flexor Release Piriformis Release And Deep Hip Rotator Release
When the piriformis muscle, hip flexor muscle group, and other deep hip rotator muscles are injured, irritated, or tight, they can place pressure on the sciatic nerve and cause hip, back, and leg pain. While various factors can cause tightness of the flexor muscles, it is often due to muscle contraction. For instance, if you sit in the same position for hours every day or habitually cross your legs in the same way, the flexor muscles get tight and contract over time.
When your muscles contract, they typically wont respond the way you would like them to. They will often want to return to the position they have become accustomed to, which can inhibit mobility and cause you pain. While stretching these muscles is typically involved in physical therapy for sciatica, it is often necessary to first relax or release the piriformis muscle, the hip flexors muscle group, and deep hip rotator muscles.
The most effective way to release tension in the area surrounding the piriformis, iliacus, and psoas muscles is by applying direct, prolonged pressure to the affected area.
Prolonged direct pressure with the Hip Flexor Release Ball can help relax the muscles and surrounding connective tissue. Not only does this method usually provide immediate relief for sciatica pain, but it also enables the muscles to relax so that you can begin to address the underlying issues through stretching and exercise.
For Back Pain Problems Try Thesefirst:
- See your care primary doctor, and stay active. He or she will likely prescribe NSAIDs for two weeks. Meanwhile, stay active. Activity can and should be continued. Prolonged bed rest is bad advice, says Dr. DeMicco.
- Schedule physical therapy if needed after two weeks. If youre still in pain after two weeks, a physical therapist can show you exercises that can strengthen the muscles supporting your spine as well as back-friendly maneuvers.
- Lose weight, and quit tobacco. Maintaining your ideal weight will take the pressure off your spine. Its important to avoid tobacco products too. Nicotine impedes microcirculation, so your spine will degenerate at a faster rate, says Dr. DeMicco.
If the source of your pain is difficult to pinpoint, seek help from a hip or spine specialist. The specialist may order an injection of lidocaine, or they may perform diagnostic/therapeutic hip injection under fluoroscopy or ultrasound.
If the problem is the hip,this will numb the hip joint and relieve symptoms immediately. If the paindoes not improve, we know were barking up the wrong tree, says Dr. Murray.The same technique can rule out or confirm back pain.
Read Also: Exercises To Slim Thighs And Hips
All Studies Have Limitations
And this one is no exception. While this study suggests that chiropractic care may be helpful for low back pain, some aspects of the study make it hard to be sure. For example:
If any of these factors had been different, the results might have been different. For example, its possible that if an older population of people with chronic low back pain had been studied, usual care might have been the better treatment.
Orthopedic Doctor In Merriam Ks
Orthopedic doctors are equipped with knowledge and skills to address your hip pain. If you are experiencing hip pain that is not resolved with rest and over-the-counter medications, dont hesitate to seek medical help.
Here at Midwest Orthopaedics, we offer you quality orthopedic care for hip pain through nonsurgical and surgical treatments. We assure you that our board-certified providers will give you and your family the patient-centered care you deserve.
For questions and concerns, call us at 362-8317. You can also request an appointment with us through our secure online form. We look forward to helping you relieve your pain!
Read Also: Aleve For Lower Back Pain
Also Check: Hip Pain After Sleeping On Side
Symptoms Of Lower Back Pain
Image sourced from afcchiropractic.com
Lower back or spine problems produce pain in the hips, more commonly known as sciatica. Most lower back pain is caused by the pinching of the sciatic nerve. Because this long nerve runs through the legs, you may feel discomfort in your buttocks and the backside of the thigh. You may have a spine problem when you experience:
- Pain in the lower back
- Pain in the backside of the thigh, sometimes down your leg
- Pain becomes worse when sitting or bending
- Pain becomes better when standing or walking
Another common cause for most lower back problems is a herniated disc. Often, a herniated disc is more painful when sitting and relieved by standing or walking. However, to assess the symptoms properly, its best to consult with a doctor or physician, which brings us to
Read Also: Lower Right Hip And Back Pain