What You Can Do About Hip Pain

Anyone can suffer from hip pain, since many things can cause it. In most situations, it is due to the normal aging and wear and tear on the body. It is important to not let it keep you from doing daily activities and living your life. Keep in mind, though, that any pain should be shared with your doctor, to rule out serious conditions. Whether the hip pain is caused by arthritis, bursitis, fibromyalgia, an injury, or simply fatigued muscles and joints, there are easy things to do to help alleviate the issue.

Often, exercise can help strengthen the body, to help. The entire musculoskeletal system can benefit from exercise. Bones, muscles, ligaments, and tendons can all become stronger, helping the body work more efficiently and provide support. Focus on those exercises that promote strength in the core and legs. By improving the body mechanics of the stomach, back, and inner and outer thighs, you can help your body better support itself and take the strain off of the ligaments and joints in the hip.

The exercises don't have to be high impact activities. Slow, light resistance movements can provide a big help for hip pain. Working out in a swimming pool can do wonders, with the water both offering a light resistance and taking some of your body's weight off of the painful area. Even easy stretches can do wonders for soreness. An added benefit of a regular exercise routine is weight reduction, which can reduce the amount of strain put on sore hips every day.

Other non-invasive methods can help. Depending on the root cause of the pain, the application of cold or heat to the are can provide relief, such as with a steamy bath or cold packs. Osteopathy, which focuses on stretching and massaging the body to help it heal, is also a good option if you suffer from hip pain. The method takes the body as a whole into account, rather than simply treating localized symptoms.

If you would like to learn more about hip pain in the Austin, Texas, area, contact Dr. McReynolds.

5 Fact To Know About Costochondritis

Costochondritis is an inflammatory disease that affects the areas where the cartilage holds the ribs to the breastbone. It can be painful, especially when moving, but is not normally serious or lethal. However, if you are experiencing chest pains of any kind, be sure to see a doctor immediately, to rule out other, more serious conditions.

1. Explanation

Bones are support structures for the body and are rigid. Sometimes areas that contain bones need freedom to move. The body answers that problem with flexible cartilage used to bind bones together. The cartilage binding your ribs to your breastbone allow your chest to expand as you inhale. Costochondritis occurs when, due to injury or unknown reasons, the joints where the cartilage hold the breastbone and ribs together becomes inflamed.

2. At-risk

Anyone can get the disease. Some doctors believe that young adults and women may suffer more often from the inflammation, but it can also affect men and children. Those that have strenuous jobs or perform repetitive tasks using the upper body can put themselves at higher risk for the condition.

3. Causes

Costochondritis is sometimes caused by a traumatic event, resulting in inflammation due to injury to the ribs, breastbone, or cartilage in the chest. Fibromyalgia, a chronic condition that can cause body pain, can also cause it. However, it is not unusual for the condition to appear with no apparent cause.

4. Treatments

While it many times clears on its own, there are a number of ways to alleviate any associated pain. Pain killers and anti-inflammatory medication (both over the counter and prescription) could be prescribed. In extreme cases, steroids or anesthetic injections might be chosen by your doctor to help. Many times, patients find relief with the much less invasive methods, such as stretches, applying heat and cold, and osteopathic manipulation.

5. Prognosis

The outlook for costochondritis is typically good. The condition usually only lasts a few weeks by simply resting the affected area, and symptoms can be relieved with simple measures, since most cases are not severe. Often, the condition improves on its own and no longer affects the patient after a few months.

For more information about costochondritis in the Georgetown, Texas, area, click here.