Hip pain makes your days more challenging. You probably want to do everything you can to minimize that discomfort and protect your mobility. The problem is many people do things that actually worsen their hip pain — all without knowing their bad habits are to blame.
At Integrated Pain Solutions in Stamford, Connecticut, Dr. Halina Snowball takes a holistic approach to hip pain. This means that as she treats your discomfort, she also helps you analyze your day-to-day choices to pinpoint anything that could be making your condition worse.
To help you get started, here are four bad habits that could heighten your hip pain.
Getting moving isn’t just good for your heart health and your overall longevity. It can also help to ease your hip pain. When you’re active, you give your body the chance to minimize stiffness and maintain flexibility in your hip joints. Aim to get moving at least a few times a week.
That said, certain types of activity — like running or jumping — can hurt your hip. Steer clear of high-impact exercise and opt instead for things like walking, swimming, and yoga.
If you’re in a line of work that requires you to carry something heavy on a regular basis, you’re not doing your hips any favors. Hefting a heavy load can put excess strain on your hips.
Whether you need a tool box, a bulky piece of equipment, multiple books, or something else that weighs a fair bit, it’s worth considering other ways you can get your necessities from point A to point B. A rolling cart or a bag with wheels can lighten your load. If all else fails, consider making multiple trips so you’re carrying less weight each way.
You don’t want to let your hip pain shape your life. That makes it tempting to push through even when you’re feeling significant discomfort.
Don’t. Pain gives your body a way to tell you that something is wrong. If you disregard that message, you could make an injury or condition more severe, leaving you worse off. Listen to your hip. When you feel pain, see that as a sign to take it easy for a little while.
Inflammation causes a variety of hip pain issues. And what you’re eating could be increasing inflammation — and, as a result, your pain. To ease inflammation-related hip pain, steer clear of:
If you want to take it a step further, you can adopt a hip pain diet filled with foods that support joint health.
Some simple lifestyle adjustments could make a big difference for your hip pain, especially alongside dedicated treatment from Dr. Snowball. For a personalized program to ease your discomfort, call our office at 203-293-0549 or request an appointment online today.
