Other causes of back or hip pain
Sometimes back and hip pain may not be coming from that area at all. Referred pain from abdominal or pelvic organs such as the colon, kidney, ureter, bladder or uterus may be the cause, Dr Jain says. If your doctor suspects that the pain is coming from elsewhere in your body, he or she will likely order additional tests to track down the source.
Lifestyle changes that can help
When it comes to lower back and hip pain, prevention is key. This starts with maintaining a healthy body weight to keep added pressure off of your joints. Engaging in regular physical activity will also keep your joints and muscles limber and bones strong as you age.
Foam rolling and stretching are also helpful for muscle tightness and soreness. Applying heat and/or ice to the sore area can also reduce pain, swelling and inflammation.
“We develop a treatment plan to match your signs and symptoms, and this may also include education about pain,” Magel says. “In general, we take an active approach and have patients avoid bed rest and gradually resume activity as soon as possible,” he says. Acupuncture may also help.
Discover the types of stretching fitness experts recommend – and one they avoid.
The last word
If you are experiencing persistent back or hip pain, see a doctor to find out what’s going on. Your doctor will perform a physical exam and ask questions about the pain and when it first started. After that, imaging tests such as X-rays may be recommended.
Most of the time pain will improve with activity modifications, over-the-counter medications such as NSAIDs or stronger prescription medications and physical therapy.
Sign up here to have Reader’s Digest’s favourite stories straight to your inbox.
Source: RD.com
