Can physical therapy help your hip bursitis?

Do you feel a warm and constant hip pain? If so, you may suffer from hip bursitis. This condition involves the inflammation of bursae. Bursae are the small fluid-filled sacs that serve as cushions around the hip joint. When a bursa is irritated, it can cause pain and discomfort. If hip bursitis progresses, it can be severe enough to impact daily activities like work. You may notice your mobility is limited as you try to move around. This can be caused by stiffness and discomfort around the hip joint. The affected area may also be tender to the touch. One of the most visible symptoms of hip bursitis is swelling. Tissue around the hip joint can become inflamed and swell. To address hip bursitis, it is important to first understand what can cause the condition.

Causes of hip bursitis

• Repetitive stress — Activities that put physical stress on the hip can lead to bursitis. Running, cycling and even standing still for extended periods can put excessive pressure on the hips. Continual stress can irritate the bursae. This leads to the inflammation that defines hip bursitis. Once you have hip bursitis, physical therapy can be an effective treatment option. With a variety of techniques available, physical therapy specialists can work to reduce swelling and keep your joints healthy.
   
• Direct impact — Inflammation is not always a gradual process. In some cases, an area can become inflamed from one major injury or trauma. A direct impact like a fall can be a cause of hip bursitis. This can put people who participate in high-impact activities at a heightened risk. If you injure your hip in an athletic activity, maintaining a good rehabilitation routine is important. Without proper care, a traumatic hip injury can lead to bursitis.
   
• Other medical conditions — Hip bursitis can be a symptom of a larger issue. Conditions like arthritis cause inflammation around joints throughout the body. This can contribute to the development of hip bursitis. If another condition is the main culprit, physical therapy for hip bursitis can address the root cause while alleviating your hip inflammation.

How physical therapy for hip bursitis can help

Physical therapy can play a crucial role in the treatment of hip bursitis. Skilled physical therapists can utilize various interventions to alleviate pain, improve flexibility and restore function. To understand the effectiveness of physical therapy for hip bursitis treatment, it can be helpful to learn about the different facets of a holistic treatment plan.
 

• Pain management — Hip bursitis can be a painful situation. With techniques like cupping to reduce inflammation, you can see your pain lower to a manageable level quickly. Once your pain is reduced, you can put more focus into other aspects of physical therapy as you work toward regaining full functioning.
   
• Targeted exercises — Targeted exercises can make hip bursitis recovery faster. These exercises focus on strengthening and stretching key areas around the hip joint. This can improve stability, reducing irritation around the bursae. Exercises that activate the hip and core muscles can be especially effective.
   
• Manual therapy — Need hands-on physical therapy for your hip bursitis? Manual therapy is a technique that involves a therapist strategically manipulating your tissue to promote healing. Tissue mobilization can bring swift results, quickly reducing inflammation and relieving pain. Manual therapy comes in many forms. Different motions can be used to address different circumstances. Overall, the main focus of manual therapy is offering an immediate substantial improvement. After a manual therapy session, you can feel the difference.
   
• Functional rehab — As you reach the final stages of hip bursitis recovery, returning to your former capabilities may be a personal goal. With functional rehabilitation, physical therapists focus on improving your functional abilities. This can help you seamlessly return to your desired activities and lifestyle. Functional rehab can involve specific exercises that mimic common real-life movements to prepare you for returning to old activities. With functional rehab, you can address your hip bursitis and improve your overall health.

Alliance PTP wants to help you find caring, convenient and effective physical therapy for hip bursitis

Caring. Effective. Convenient. These are words that you may not think about when you think of physical therapy, but Alliance Physical Therapy Partners is here to change that. 

Our partner network is staffed by caring physical therapists who are ready to provide you with effective, personalized care for your hip bursitis. And we offer both in-person and virtual PT sessions, so you’ll be able to choose the care that’s most convenient for you. 

Get in touch with our team today to learn more about our caring, effective and convenient PT.