Did you know walking is one of the best things for hip pain?
My name is Dr. David Geier – orthopedic surgeon, sports medicine specialist, and anti-aging and regenerative medicine expert. I help you feel, look and perform your best, regardless of age or injury.
If you have hip pain, walking can be a safe, easy, and effective way to exercise your hips and improve their strength. The National Institutes of Health recommends 30 minutes of moderate aerobic activity most days of the week to help relieve pain caused by arthritis.
Walking is a low-impact activity that can be done almost anywhere. You don’t need any specialized equipment or gear; just lace up some shoes and go! The best part? It’s free!
Walking has been shown to be an effective way to build strength in the muscles around your hips, which may help relieve pain caused by osteoarthritis. In fact, research shows that walking improves OA symptoms such as pain, stiffness and difficulty moving around better than other exercises including cycling or swimming.
Walking can help you lose weight, stay active and independent, feel better and improve your mood. It can also help you sleep better.
Despite what many orthopedic surgeons believe, walking will likely not make arthritis worse. It might even help the cartilage and bone in your hip joint stay healthy longer.
If you have arthritis in your hip, and walking is painful, you could try walking with a cane or walking stick for support. The cane should be the right height for you and well-balanced. It should also be lightweight (no more than about 2 pounds) and adjustable so that it can be shortened as needed.
If these suggestions don’t help with your pain, talk to your doctor about other options that might work better for you.
One symptom suggests walking would be potentially harmful.
If you’re a runner, especially a female runner who has increased your distance quickly, and you now have severe groin pain that is worse with running or even walking or standing, do not run or walk for exercise. See an orthopedic surgeon to rule out a stress fracture.
If the pain goes away when you stop walking, but returns when you start again, you could have a muscle or tendon strain or irritation. Often physical therapy and anti-inflammatory medications can help you overcome it.
Conclusion
Walking is a safe and effective way to exercise your hips. It can also help with other symptoms of arthritis, including pain and stiffness in other joints. However, if you have hip pain that gets worse when you walk or run, then this activity may not be right for you.
We are looking for 5 patients with hip pain who want to get significantly better in the next 30 days, without cortisone shots, physical therapy, or surgery. Click this link and enter the term ‘Interested’ in the description box to learn more.
This post is meant for educational and informational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice.
