Easing Hip Osteoarthritis Without Surgery or Drugs
Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common joint disorder, and a substantial cause of disability. Previous studies have found that weight loss can improve knee pain and disability in people with knee osteoarthritis. However, there is little research on the effects of exercise or weight loss as a treatment for hip OA. A new study gathered evidence for the effectiveness of exercise and weight loss for patients with hip OA who are overweight or obese.
The study involved 35 people, aged 25 or older, with hip osteoarthritis. All were clinically overweight or obese. They participated in an 8-month exercise and weight-loss program. Over the course of the study, self-reported physical function, pain, and walking tests were used to measure the success of treatment. The program resulted in a 32.6% improvement in physical function after 8 months, along with significant improvements in pain and on walking tests.
The results provide preliminary evidence for the effectiveness of weight loss and exercise as a treatment for hip OA. Chiropractic treatments are another natural way to provide relief of hip osteoarthritis. A previous study found that 83% of hip OA patients improved within 9 visits to a chiropractor.
Depending on the cause of your hip pain, chiropractic adjustments may help. A doctor of chiropractic can help to determine the source of your hip pain and create a personalized treatment plan that could include chiropractic adjustments, posture advice, exercise therapy, stretching, massage, or other treatments. These natural treatments for hip pain can help patients avoid the cost and risk of surgery and drugs.
References
Brantingham JW, Globe GA, Cassa TK, et al. A single-group pretest posttest design using full kinetic chain manipulative therapy with rehabilitation in the treatment of 18 patients with hip osteoarthritis. Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapy 2012; 33(6): 445-57.
Paan N, et al. Effect of Exercise and Weight Loss in People Who Have Hip Osteoarthritis and Are Overweight or Obese: A Prospective Cohort Study. Physical Therapy 2012; doi: 10.2522/?ptj.20110418.
