Self Help for Sore Hips

Vune

I'm not an exerciser. I'm a mover. I prefer useful activities like walking to the store or working on choreography (it's useful if you're an actress!), but I sometimes exercise for the sake of it.

Cue pain. My hip flares up on occasion, and this past week has been an occasion. I'm familiar with all the good piriformis stretches, heat, and cold. What am I missing that could help the pain?

I cannot wait for beach season and ocean swimming...

Cherimoose

I'm familiar with all the good piriformis stretches, heat, and cold. What am I missing that could help the pain?

It depends what the cause of the pain is (muscular, pinched nerve, inflamed bursa, tendonitis, etc). Without knowing, i would say try rest and anti-inflammatory meds (Ibuprofen, naproxen sodium).

Vune

Rest is always a happy thing. Over the years, I've been diagnosed with bursitis, piriformis syndrome, and I've had a sneaking suspicion of dislocated joints. Since i can't take the big anti-inflammatory meds (kidney transplant), nor can I afford a chiropractor, i guess it's stretching and resting.

spicegeek

do you do anything that would actually strengthen you hips - leg raises etc ? do you foam roll ?

Vune

I do some lower body exercises on occasion besides my walking. Squats and lunges are tough on my knees, so I do things like glute bridges and modified barre exercises. Those are maybe twice a week, but no regular schedule. When I swim, it's always breaststroke.