Hip and Knee Pain Is Common
Have you ever felt pain in your hip or knee, after a strenuous activity, a fall, or a condition like arthritis? You're not alone. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, about half of Americans deal with pain in their hips or knees. These are key joints that bear the full weight of the body and are essential to mobility. So how can you reduce hip and knee pain? Physical therapy may be your best bet.
What Is Physical Therapy?
Physical therapy is one of the allied health professions, focused mainly on rehabilitation and the restoration of health and function. It can serve as the treatment itself or as prevention against illness or injury. Among its many benefits, physical therapy can reduce hip and knee pain and help you avoid it altogether. A physical therapist assesses and diagnoses the problem, then designs a treatment plan suited to a patient's specific needs, helping regain strength in these joints, restore normal function, and bring back the ability to do daily tasks with less dependence on others.
Physical therapy doesn't just address current issues; it can also prevent future ones. Sticking with a physical therapy program can significantly increase mobility, flexibility, strength, and range of motion, lowering the risk of pain and injury down the road. It also helps ensure an accurate diagnosis, which supports an appropriate treatment plan.
How Physical Therapy Treats Hip and Knee Pain
There are several physical therapy approaches and modalities used to address hip and knee pain. Exercises are often part of the treatment plan, designed to fit each patient's needs, starting light and, when needed, done with assistance at first. These exercises can be performed both at the clinic and at home. Applying heat and ice to the affected area, known as hot and cold therapy, may also be prescribed to reduce pain and inflammation.
Your physical therapist can also help identify the underlying source of hip or knee pain. If diet is a contributing factor, for example, gout caused by high uric acid levels, your therapist may recommend dietary changes to help prevent or reduce flare-ups. They can also assess your movement and check whether the way you walk may be contributing to the problem; gait issues that seem unremarkable to you may be evident to a trained PT.
Ready to Get Moving Again?
Feeling pain in your hip or knee? Call Tribeca Physical Therapy today to discuss the best treatment options for you.