Hip pain can be unbearable. The pain may be caused by a number of different factors, including arthritis, bursitis, injury, and gout. Treatment for hip pain depends on the underlying cause.
If you have arthritis, there are a number of things you can do to relieve your pain. These include taking over-the-counter pain relievers, using heat or ice to reduce swelling, and exercising regularly. You may also want to try using a topical pain reliever, such as capsaicin cream.
At night, you can use a heating pad on low to ease pain. If you’re wondering why your hip pain gets worse at night, it might be because you’re lying down and gravity is pulling on your hip joint. This can exacerbate the pain.
That said, here are 10 things you can do for unbearable hip pain:
- Take over-the-counter pain relievers. With arthritis, pain is often caused by inflammation. Over-the-counter pain relievers, such as ibuprofen and acetaminophen, can help reduce inflammation.
- Apply heat or ice. Applying heat or ice to the affected area can also help reduce pain and swelling.
- Exercise regularly. Exercise helps strengthen the muscles around your joints, which can help reduce pain.
- Try a topical pain reliever. Topical pain relievers, such as capsaicin cream, can help reduce pain when applied to the affected area.
- Use a heating pad at night. If your hip pain gets worse at night, try using a heating pad on low to ease the pain.
- Sleep with a pillow between your legs. If you’re having trouble sleeping due to hip pain, try placing a pillow between your legs. This will help take the pressure off of your hips.
- Try an over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medication. If you’re dealing with arthritis pain, over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medications, such as ibuprofen or naproxen, can help reduce inflammation.
- Wear supportive shoes. Wearing shoes that offer support and cushioning can help reduce pain in your feet, ankles, and knees, leading to hip pain.
- Stretch and strengthen your muscles. Stretching and strengthening the muscles around your hip can help reduce pain.
- See your doctor. If your pain is severe or doesn’t improve with self-care, make an appointment to see your doctor. They may recommend additional treatments, such as physical therapy or medication.
Things to pay attention to if you have hip pain
Although hip pain is often manageable, there are a few things you should pay attention to. If you experience any of the following, it’s important to see your doctor:
- The pain is severe and doesn’t improve with self-care
- The pain is accompanied by swelling, redness, or warmth in the affected area
- You have difficulty moving your hip or bearing weight on your leg
- You have a fever or chills
- You develop a rash or blisters on the skin around your hip
When to see a doctor
If your pain is severe or doesn’t improve with self-care, make an appointment to see your doctor. They may recommend additional treatments, such as physical therapy or medication.
If you’re having difficulty moving your hip or bearing weight on your leg, it’s important to see a doctor right away. This could be a sign of a more serious problem, such as a fracture.
