Chronic Hip Pain in Seniors: How Physiotherapy Provides Relief

It’s not uncommon for older adults to experience hip pain. Various age-related changes make hip pain in seniors much more likely. Unfortunately, hip pain can significantly impact your overall quality of life, making it harder to get around and stay active and independent–but the team at Physio for Seniors is here to help!

Physiotherapy offers several effective ways to manage hip pain and improve mobility and function. One of the main reasons for this is that physiotherapists don’t just want to mask your discomfort–they want to address the underlying cause of your pain. This is exactly what our physiotherapists can do for you!

Today, we want to explore some common causes of hip pain in seniors and how our Metro Vancouver, BC physiotherapists can help you find relief.

What’s Causing My Hip Pain?

At your first appointment, our team will conduct a comprehensive assessment to determine the reason for your discomfort. We’ll take a full health history, review your symptoms, and perform some simple movement screens to test your strength, mobility, and balance. All this information helps us determine the cause of your pain so we can create a truly personalized treatment program.

Five Common Causes of Hip Pain in Seniors

Osteoarthritis

• A degenerative joint condition where the cartilage in your hip wears down over time, causing stiffness and pain.

Hip Fractures

• This injury occurs when you break one of your hip bones. They’re more prevalent in older adults and can lead to prolonged pain and mobility issues.

Muscle Weakness

• Reduced strength in surrounding muscles can put added stress on the hip joint, leading to discomfort. Weak hip muscles often worsen osteoarthritis pain.

Tendinitis

• Inflammation of tendons around the hip joint caused by overuse or strain

Bursitis

• Inflammation of the bursae (fluid-filled sacs) that cushion the hip joint, often due to repetitive motion

Your Treatment Plan: How Physiotherapy Addresses Hip Pain In Seniors

Acute Pain Management

First up is addressing any current pain so you move through your physiotherapy treatment with more ease. We offer several evidence-based methods to help alleviate pain without relying on medications, such as the following:

• Hands-on manual therapy to improve joint mobility and boost blood flow to the affected area
• Modalities like heat, cold, or ultrasound therapy to reduce pain and inflammation
• Targeted stretches to relieve tension in tight muscles

Mobility Work

Hip pain and restricted range of motion go hand in hand. That restriction makes it harder for you to move–which will worsen your pain over time. We’ll guide you through targeted range-of-motion exercises to help improve your hip’s mobility and overall health.

Strengthening Exercises

Strengthening the muscles around your hip provides stability and support to the hip joint, helping to alleviate pain and discomfort. It will also help improve your balance, which is crucial for reducing your fall risk–falls are often a side effect of chronic hip pain in seniors.

Posture and Gait Training

Sometimes, hip pain stems from issues with your posture or walking pattern. As part of your treatment, we’ll analyze your posture and gait and provide you with personalized exercises to correct these impairments. We can also suggest assistive devices, such as canes or walkers, to further enhance your mobility.

Getting Started with Physiotherapy at Physio for Seniors

You don’t have to struggle with chronic pain. Our Metro Vancouver, BC-based physiotherapists are here to help you regain mobility, reduce pain, and improve your quality of life. Schedule an appointment with us today to take the first step toward relief!