Pelvic and Hip Pain in Females: PT Treatment Options

Many females will experience hip and pelvic pain in their lifetime. In fact, 14% to 32% of females around the world, who are of childbearing age, experience chronic pelvic pain. Hip pain is also quite common with a general population prevalence rate of 10%, though it affects men and women differently. Females usually have a shorter and wider pelvis, and their hip socket is shallower than that of a man, causing them to have different causes and severity of hip pain.

If you’re a female that’s experiencing pain in the pelvic or hip area, either in the left or right, then there are a few options that can help alleviate the ache.

Read on to learn about potential causes for left or right hip pain as well as pelvic pain. We’ll also discuss the variety of treatment options that may help to alleviate the aches.

Possible causes of hip pain in females

Females can experience pain in either their left or right hip, and there’s an increased risk of hip pain for people who are consistently active, especially athletes. 

Though many causes will only affect one side of the body, it’s possible for both hips to feel pain at the same time. Hip pain can stem from a sustained injury as well as a condition that needs further medical assistance.

A few potential causes of hip pain in females include:

• Arthritis.
• Fractures.
• Tendon inflammation (tendinitis).
• Hernia.
• Endometriosis.
• Sciatica.
• Osteoporosis.

Possible causes of pelvic pain in females

While males can experience pelvic pain due to conditions like prostatitis and hernias, there are a few potential causes of pelvic pain that are almost exclusively for females. As the entire female reproductive system is located in the pelvis, they can experience or develop conditions that cause pain due to gynecological issues or hormonal changes.

A few potential causes of pelvic pain in females include:

• Premenstrual syndrome.
• Painful menstruation (Mittelschmerz).
• Ovarian cysts.
• Pelvic floor muscle tension.
• Appendicitis.
• Fibroids.

5 physical therapy treatment options for pelvic and hip pain 

Hip pain on either the left or right side can radiate to your pelvis, and vice versa, especially during pregnancy. That’s why most treatment options for these areas often overlap. But it’s important to talk to a medical professional in order to determine the cause of your specific pain and the treatments that will work best for it.

Physical therapy is one of the best ways to treat your pelvic and hip pain. It can help you manage the pain as well as improve the overall quality of the muscles, bones and joints in the hips and pelvis to prevent future injury.

1. Hip exercises — Exercises can benefit nearly every part of the body, including your hips. Your physical therapist will walk you through exercises tailored to your specific hip pain, like feeling an ache in your left hip when you climb stairs. Not only will they help increase your hip’s flexibility and mobility, but they will also show you exercises that will strengthen your hip to properly support your pelvis as you walk.

2. Pelvic floor strengthening — On the floor of your pelvis, you have a group of muscles and tissue that hold together your organs, and it can become dysfunctional due to factors like menopause, pregnancy and childbirth. A weak pelvic floor can contribute to pain, incontinence and constipation. A physical therapist can help strengthen your pelvic floor through a customized exercise program.

3. Core strengthening — Similar to the pelvic floor, physical therapy can help you learn exercises that will strengthen your core. The muscles on your pelvic floor make up your core, and a strong core can help support your pelvic organs and reduce incontinence. Your core is another area that can be affected during pregnancy and childbirth.

4. Pre-natal and post-natal pain relief — Throughout pregnancy, and after childbirth, it’s quite common to experience pain in your hips and pelvis. Physical therapy is a great pain management option both before and after you give birth. It will help alleviate your aches and increase your mobility so that you can do the daily tasks needed to care for your new baby.

5. Postural changes — Both your hips and pelvis play vital roles in your posture, as they help support your spine as you sit, stand and walk. If your pain is linked to poor posture, a physical therapist can show you the slight postural and gait changes needed to decrease the pressure on your hips and pelvis.

Back in Motion Physical Therapy can provide treatment for female pelvic and hip pain 

While hip and pelvic pain can affect both females and males, the cause of this pain in females is often influenced by their reproductive organs as well as pregnancy and childbirth. If you’re a female struggling to deal with pelvic and hip pain, then let us provide you with the physical therapy treatment you need.
Contact us today for more information or to schedule an initial appointment.