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New Discoveries and Cures for Hip and Sciatic Pain

Hip pain and sciatic pain, or sciatica, strike athletes, weekend warriors and couch potatoes with equal vengeance. Both can be disabling. The old-fashioned method of treating low back pain and joint pain—taking it easy—needs to be given a rest. New discoveries show movement to be the most successful prevention and treatment.

  1. Hip Pain

    • MayoClinic.com says, "Hip pain is rarely an emergency, and most hip pain can be controlled with self-care at home." If you do experience swelling, redness or tenderness and warmth around hip joints, make an appointment with your doctor. Most hip pain, however, can be managed with regular exercise.

      Intense hip pain due to hip impingement, or tears of the fibrous cartilage around the hip joint, can be misdiagnosed. According to a September 2009 article by the Hospital for Special Surgery, “Recent advances in diagnostic imaging techniques and hip arthroscopy procedures are giving physicians and surgeons better tools with which to treat hip pain.” Advancements in hip arthroscopy for hip impingement mean the difference between a few tiny incisions and a large incision and dislocation of the hip during surgery. Hip arthroscopy also involves less recovery time.

    Sciatic Pain

    • Sciatic pain runs from the buttocks down the leg. That's because sciatic pain is a symptom of a problem with the sciatic nerve, which runs from the spinal cord to the buttocks and down the leg. The cause could be a herniated disk. Even so, the July 8, 2009, issue of the "Journal of the American Medical Association" states, “Approximately 80 percent to 90 percent of people with sciatica recover over time without any surgical intervention." Conservative treatment of sciatica includes exercise and stretching.

      Certain symptoms do merit attention. According to an article in the February 2009 issue of "Harvard Health Publications," “Sciatica by itself isn’t an emergency, but if someone has fever or loss of urinary and bowel control, along with sudden leg pain and numbness, then it can be a sign of a problem that does need urgent attention.” Surgery is an option if sciatica is disabling, but most sufferers of sciatic pain find relief with over-the-counter pain relievers and conservative treatment. The old-fashioned way to treat sciatica was to rest. New discoveries show that regular exercise and stretching make a significant difference.

    Movement

    • Develop a regular exercise program. Have your doctor recommend physical therapy for your specific needs. Include regular exercise and stretching of the inner and outer thigh, making hip care a central part of your workout. Include stretching of the ham strings and quad muscles and maintain good posture to help with sciatic pain.

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