Your hips are an essential part of your body. If a part of your hip begins to malfunction, it will affect your everyday life. Your hip flexors are on the outside of your hip and help you walk, run, and keep your gait functioning adequately. If you are experiencing hip pain, contact Advance Physical Therapy for Physical Therapy Amherst NY.
What is a Hip Flexor Strain?
Strains on a person’s hip flexor can be extremely painful, and for this reason, one must get the appropriate care. Physical therapy plays a significant role in reducing pain and increasing mobility. Hip flexor strains are diagnosed by a physical therapist, who will first conduct tests to determine the affected area of the body and how severe the injury is.
There are three different grades of severity, with a grade three being the most severe. A physical therapist will examine your injury to determine what your next step should be.
Generally, there are two leading causes for a hip flexor injury: an acute injury where the strain is caused by a singular incident (such as tripping and falling onto the hip) or an overuse injury where the muscles are repeatedly contracted. The latter primarily affects athletes who engage in activities that require frequent kicking, such as soccer, hockey, kickboxing, or gymnastics.
Identifying Hip Flexor Strains
Symptoms of hip flexor strains include pain that worsens when the hip is used and a feeling of tightness or stiffness in the hip. Depending on the severity, a person could also experience pain going down the front of their thigh and knee. They could also feel pain in their lower back and groin if the injury is severe.
Treatment & Prevention
In order to help prevent hip flexor injuries from occurring, it is important to stretch after any rigorous activity where a lot of kicking is involved. It is also essential to warm up before engaging in any activity that requires a lot of movement from the legs, such as running or soccer.
Physical therapy is the best way for someone with a hip flexor injury to heal quickly and thoroughly. A physical therapist will use various techniques such as ultrasound, massage, ice packs, and stretching in order.
In most cases, hip flexor injuries can be treated without surgery; in more severe cases where the muscle tears almost wholly, a doctor may recommend surgery, especially if the person has a history of hip problems. For this reason, it is vital to listen to a physical therapist’s recommendation and start treatment as soon as possible.
Physical Therapy Amherst NY
If you are experiencing debilitating pain in your hips, contact Advance Physical Therapy for treatment. Our team will assess the severity of your injury and determine how your injury should be treated. When you need Physical Therapy Amherst NY you can count on our team! Contact us today to learn how we can help you heal!