Easy Steps You Can Take Today to Erase Hip Pain

...and one of these tips you can get from a sewing class!

"More than 100,000 Americans are unable to get from their bed to the bathroom without assistance because of problems related to their hip or knee." So says Dr. Nathan Wei, Clinical Director of the Arthritis and Osteoporosis Center of Maryland. He adds, "Too many people put up with pain when there are so many treatments available."

The hip joint plays a major role in weight-bearing and walking.

It's a ball-and-socket joint that combines great stability and a wide range of motion. This joint is comprised of the head of the thigh bone (femur) which is shaped like a ball. This sits inside a cup-like area of the pelvis called the acetabulum ("socket"). It is surrounded by powerful muscles that help maintain the body in an upright posture and also help with walking. Many ligaments also help support the structure of the hip.

The most common symptom with hip problems is pain

Pain due to hip problems may be felt in the groin, on the outside of the hip region, the buttock, inner part of the thigh, the front of the thigh, and even the knee. In fact, there have been patients who've had knee surgery... when the problem was really in the hip. NOT a good thing! Pain coming from the hip joint also needs to be distinguished from low back disorders as well as knee disorders. Activities of daily living that are affected by hip pain include going up and down stairs, getting out of chairs, getting out of bed, getting shoes and socks off and on, and sexual intercourse.

Hip pain is often aggravated by weight-bearing.

Besides arthritis, hip pain can be due to bursitis. The most common is trochanteric bursitis. Trochanteric bursitis is inflammation of the large bursa that sits on the side of the hip. It tends to come on in middle-aged people. The major symptom is a deep aching pain over the upper outer thigh. It is made worse by walking. It is often bad at night and is aggravated by lying on the affected side. The treatment consists of anti-inflammatory medication, physical therapy, steroid injection, and stretching exercises.

Another potentially serious condition is avascular necrosis of the hip.

Here, a patient will have severe pain- usually in the groin. Weight-bearing is excruciating and the pain may also be present at night. Avascular necrosis is a condition where the blood supply to the head of the femur ("the ball") is interrupted... ...and the head of the femur actually dies! The bone collapses. Remember the great athlete, Bo Jackson... he had avascular necrosis. The diagnosis is confirmed by MRI scanning and the treatment involves surgical procedures. In patient with an arthritis condition, treatment modalities should include anti-inflammatory medication, physical therapy, exercises, and weight reduction, if necessary.

Specific stretching exercises are helpful.

Dr. Wei says, "One of my favorite is called thread-the-needle. You cross one leg across the thigh of the other. Reach down through the hole formed by this crossing over maneuver with the same side hand as the leg you're using to cross over. Clasp fingers with the other hand behind the thigh and gently pull. You'll feel the stretch! Hold for 10 seconds. Repeat with the other side."

Joint replacement- known as hip arthroplasty- is still the resort of choice in patients with end-stage arthritis.

Indications for arthroplasty include: ?pain that hasn't responded to more conservative measures and... ?loss of function in the hip.

In the past, the limiting problem was that the replaced hip was only good for 10 to 15 years with "normal" use.

Problems that limit the lifespan of hip replacements are ?wear and... ?inflammatory response to particles that eventually cause loosening in some patients.

Dr. Wei (pronounced "way") is a board-certified rheumatologist and Clinical Director of the nationally respected Arthritis and Osteoporosis Center of Maryland. He is a Clinical Assistant Professor of Medicine at the University of Maryland School of Medicine and has served as a consultant to the Arthritis Branch of the National Institutes of Health. He is a Fellow of the American College of Rheumatology and the American College of Physicians. For more information on arthritis and related conditions, go to: http://www.arthritis-treatment-and-relief.com

In The News:

---

New Hope for Chronic Fatigue and Fibromyalgia Sufferers

There are numerous theories with regard to the causes of... Read More

Secrets Of Aromatherapy Part I - Physical Remedies

Aromatherapy can be used to relieve the discomfort of a... Read More

Alternative Herbal Cures for Ailments

With the increased usage of herbs for treatment of ailments... Read More

Toxic Plastic Water Bottles

I recently received a question from one of my readers... Read More

Natural Alternatives vs. Prescription Drugs

Natural Alternatives: A growing phenomenon across this world which... Read More

Natural Aromatherapy, Essence of Health

Bringing Home Nature's Forest Correctly and SafelyPreserving Both Essence and... Read More

Empowering Ourselves with the New Energy Dynamic

The chakras are an important part of our energy anatomy.... Read More

Medieval Remedies That Still Work Today

Home Remedies - Facts or Quacks?In a previous article we... Read More

Lower Your Cholesterol Naturally ? Cholesterol Through The Mouth

If you have high cholesterol, you should educate yourself about... Read More

Reversing Macular Degeneration: Without Drugs Or Surgery

I would like to report some anecdotal research findings that... Read More

Lavender : The Purple Panacea

Lavender is wholly spent with us, for to perfume linen,... Read More

Gallbladder Disorders And How To Treat Them Using Natural Remedies

The gallbladder is a 3 to 4 inch-long pear-shaped organ... Read More

Citronnelle

Remember the last Dumpling Festival? Did your mother or grandmother... Read More

Natural Remedies for Eliminating Warts Quickly & Safely!

Warts are a type of infection caused by virus called... Read More

Constipation Home Remedies Using Juices

Apple Juice, Figs and RaisinsHere's another constipation home remedy using... Read More

Being Rubbed Up ? The Right Way! - The Therapeutic Wonders of Massage

PROBABLY one of the most... Read More

Crystal/Gemstone Therapy

Using crystals in the context of healing has a very... Read More

How to Best Use Your Summer Energy

Summer EnthusiasmAccording to Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) there are five... Read More

A Stitch In Time Saves Nine - Prevention not Cure

It is a sad fact that most people pay little... Read More

Arthritis and Aromatherapy

Arthritis is an inflammation of the joints and is characterized... Read More

The Macrobiotic Approach To Health And Wellness

It may be an ordinary dance studio during the week,... Read More

Purchasing Essential Oil

Tips on Purchasing Essential OilsIt is important to purchase your... Read More

Powerful Essential Oils Kill Nail Fungus

Fungal infection of the nails is the one of the... Read More

Treatment Options for Hand and Foot Eczema

There are many kinds of eczema, and too few people... Read More

Aromatherapy - Essential Oils for Physical and Psychological Well-being

What is Aromatherapy?It is the practice of using volatile plant... Read More

4 Natural Home Remedies to Ease the Pain of Sunburn

At some time or another, we've all experienced the effects... Read More

Home Remedies, Treatment To All Ailments By Herbal Homemade Remedies

Given below the list of Best Home Remedies for all... Read More

Alternative Health Treatments for People Who Give Too Much

Being a modern traveler, you probably get onto an airplane... Read More

Are You Really Overweight?

If you are overweight, you know it by how you... Read More

Endorphins ? Strong Painkillers Your Subconscious May Be Able to Provide

The sources of the original "natural high," endorphins and ekephalins... Read More

Jesus Diet - Lifestyle Changes That Will Boost Your Energy

Drawing on the inspiration of loaves, fish, and wine, a... Read More

Your Body?s Secret Wisdom-- Eating from the Tree of Life

Your body's secret wisdom is as ancient as humankind and... Read More

Focus Your Light: Earning Money From Home When You Have Chronic Fatigue Syndrome /Fibromyalgia

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome /Fibromyalgia makes you extremely tired, exhausted and... Read More