The Benefits of Manual Therapy for Hip Pain Management 

Hip pain can make just about anything you do more challenging. Walking, getting in and out of a chair, using stairs, doing your job, working out, and even sleeping through the night can all be affected. Some people feel discomfort in the front of the hip or in the groin. Others might experience soreness on the outside of the hip, stiffness after sitting for a while, or pain that spreads to the thigh, butt, or lower back. At Physical Therapy and Injury Specialists, in Englewood, CO, the first step in hip pain treatment involves identifying the root cause of your symptoms.

Estimated reading time: 6 minutes

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What Is Manual Therapy for Hip Pain?

Manual therapy is a hands-on physical therapy approach that is performed by a physical therapist. A physical therapist might work with the hip joint, gently move and lengthen the tissue, and help the leg move in different positions to calm irritated tissue. Common types of manual therapy for hip pain include:

• Joint mobilization
• Soft tissue mobilization
• Assisted stretching and mobility drills
• Myofascial release
• Trigger point therapy
• Joint movement and retraining

The idea is to make it easier and more comfortable for you to move, and the ultimate goal is to improve your quality of life by helping you return to daily activities like walking, exercising at the gym, and caring for your family.

Resource: my.clevelandclinic.org

How Manual Therapy Helps Alleviate Hip Pain

The hip does not stand alone, it relies on the pelvis, lower back, core, glutes, quads, hamstrings, and feet for movement, balance, and stability. A limitation in one area can lead to extra strain on a different area. Manual therapy for hip pain can relieve muscle tightness around the hip joint and reduce protective muscle stiffness around the hip. A well-moving hip may help your body reduce compensatory patterns, such as limping, tilting, taking shorter steps, or avoiding certain postures. Manual therapy for hip pain can also make it easier to exercise. Pain and stiffness can be barriers to strengthening the hip at first. Gentle joint and soft tissue mobilization can help make the hip more responsive to the exercises your physical therapist prescribes.

Resource: jospt.org

What Hip Problems Might Be Improved by Manual Therapy?

Manual therapy for hip pain may be used to address many hip issues, depending on your evaluation. These can include:

• Hip osteoarthritis
• Hip stiffness
• Muscle strains
• Tendon injuries
• Bursitis-related pain
• Pain from an injury to the hip joint
• Restricted hip movement after surgery
• Pain related to the lower back and pelvis

Hip osteoarthritis can cause groin pain, stiffness after sitting, loss of normal range of motion, and trouble moving the hip, walking, bending, using stairs, and completing daily activities. A physical therapist may not be able to reverse osteoarthritis. However, physical therapy may help improve range of motion and movement around the hip.

Resource: uchicagomedicine.org

Manual Therapy and Exercise Are More Effective Together

Manual therapy may help you feel better, but exercise helps you maintain the gains between appointments. Your physical therapist may combine manual care with hip strengthening, glute strengthening, core stabilization, stretching, walking instruction, and balance training. This is especially true for the hip, since hip pain commonly returns when your body goes back to the habitual movement patterns that caused irritation in the first place. Manual therapy can help calm symptoms. Exercise allows the body to better manage daily demands through greater strength and mobility.

What to Expect When You See the Physical Therapist for Your Hip Pain

A session may begin with a discussion of your symptoms, daily activity levels, medical history, and personal goals. The physical therapist may evaluate the way you walk, hip motion, hip strength, balance, posture, and the way you move during functional activities such as sitting, standing, squatting, and stepping. Manual therapy is applied based on the findings from this exam. Some of the treatments may include light pressure, stretching, or joint motion. Treatments must be modified if you experience pain.

When Do You Need to See the Physical Therapist?

If you have been suffering from hip pain that has lasted more than a few days, keeps recurring, makes it hard to walk, affects your sleep, or prevents you from doing the exercise or physical activity of your choice, you may benefit from a physical therapy evaluation. You may also want to consider seeing the physical therapist if you experience stiffness after sitting, pain in the groin, a limp, balance difficulty, or difficulty getting dressed, such as putting on your socks, pants, or shoes. If you recently experienced a fall or injury, suddenly cannot place weight on the hip, have swelling, have a fever, are losing weight without trying, or have a change in sensation or muscle strength, get evaluated for medical concerns right away before going to physical therapy.

FAQs About Manual Therapy for Hip Pain

Does Manual Therapy Hurt?

Manual therapy should not feel aggressive. Some areas that are evaluated may feel sensitive or sore during or after treatment, but your physical therapist will work within your comfort level.

How Much Treatment Is Necessary?

This depends on the cause of your hip pain, your activity and exercise goals, your muscle strength, your mobility, and how your symptoms respond to care.

Is Manual Therapy for Hip Arthritis Possible?

Yes, manual therapy can help people with hip arthritis improve functional mobility and reduce joint stiffness. However, the therapist may combine this with strengthening exercises, mobility exercises, and movement guidance.

Is Manual Therapy for Hip Pain Enough on Its Own?

Usually not, but it can be very helpful in the clinic. Manual therapy is typically combined with exercise and movement instruction. Manual therapy can help reduce pain and stiffness, while exercise helps you keep making progress outside of the office.

Is There Direct Access for Physical Therapy in Colorado?

Direct access to physical therapy services is available in Colorado, and most patients do not need to see their doctor before coming in for physical therapy.

How to Make the Next Move to Better Hip Movement

Do not let hip pain continue to limit the way you live. If it has become more difficult for you to walk, use stairs, work, exercise, or sleep, Physical Therapy and Injury Specialists in Englewood, CO can help you understand what may be creating your symptoms and what treatments may fit your goals. Contact Physical Therapy and Injury Specialists to set up a consultation and learn how manual therapy and physical therapy for hip pain can help you move and live better.