Back and hip pain can be difficult to differentiate between, especially because the areas they affect overlap. And sometimes, they occur together. Dr. Darin Bush of Mobility Spine and Sports, serving Fort Lauderdale, FL, and the neighboring communities, can diagnose the two. But it helps to know how to distinguish between them.

Location

You'll usually feel hip pain around the joint. This is where the femur (thigh bone) and pelvis meet. For this reason, you could have groin pain as well when you have an issue with your hip. Sometimes, the pain is on the outer side of your hip or the upper portion of your thigh.

Lower back pain, which could be mistaken for hip pain, is usually around the spine of the lowest part of the back. Sometimes, the pain radiates down the legs or throughout the buttocks. 

We'd like to note that if you have sciatica pain and other nerve-related symptoms that extend from the lower back, you could also have hip pain.

What Aggravates the Pain

 Hip pain tends to worsen when you're walking, jogging, running, or climbing stairs. However, back pain often worsens when lifting, bending, or twisting. Standing for prolonged periods can also stress this area, leading to an increase in your pain. This is especially true if you wear unsupportive footwear, have poor posture, or are on a hard surface. Even sitting can exasperate back pain, particularly if you're overweight or have poor posture. 

What Provides Relief 

 Taking rests to relax your back and/or hip can help ease your pain. Either type of issue, whether chronic or acute, could benefit from cold or heat therapy. Cold helps lessen inflammation, while heat helps with healing and soothes sore muscles.

Besides the at-home care you can perform, you could also visit our physician in Fort Lauderdale, FL, for back or hip pain. Our practitioner may recommend exercise therapy, which consists of learning stretches that help ease your pain, promote circulation, and encourage healing, if possible. We can even advise you on exercises you can do at home to optimize your results. Additionally, treatments like Osteopathic Manipulation, Neuromuscular Reeducation, Interventional injections, and PRP (Platelet Rich Plasma) therapy are available to address back and hip pain with a holistic and regenerative approach. These therapies aim to reduce inflammation, promote healing, and improve mobility, providing patients with comprehensive options for pain relief.

Advice on habits you can incorporate to ease pressure on the area is also standard. In addition, our physician can prescribe medications to assist, particularly if you have a chronic issue like arthritis.

Mobility Spine and Sports, serving Fort Lauderdale, FL, and the neighboring communities, has Dr. Bush, who can help if you suffer from hip and/or back pain. We offer in-house treatment, advice, and remedies to help when you're hom, all after a thorough evaluation to ensure an accurate diagnosis.

Call 954-414-7080 today.