I Have Hip Pain: Should I Rest It or Stay Active?

Hip pain is a common issue, but with so much contradicting advice out there, it can be difficult to know whether you should rest or keep moving. This blog provides expert guidance so you can heal faster without making things worse.

Hip pain is a common musculoskeletal issue, affecting more than 14% of Americans 60 and older. While various factors, including osteoarthritis and overuse, can cause the condition, advice for treating it often falls into one of two categories: rest and let the hip heal, or stay active to prevent it from worsening. But which of these recommendations is correct?

At Performance Therapy Institute, with offices in Brentwood, Nashville, and Nolensville, Tennessee, our experienced team specializes in hip pain treatment. Keep reading to learn the best way to manage hip pain. Spoiler alert: sometimes you want to rest and other times you want to keep moving.

What’s causing your hip pain?

Before you make any treatment decisions, you must first identify the cause of your hip pain. While almost everyone experiences hip pain, some causes are more common than others. These include:

Arthritis
Bursitis
Tendonitis
Muscle strain
General wear-and-tear (overuse)
Fractures
Spinal problems

Traumatic injuries, like a fall or car accident, can also cause hip pain.

Identifying the cause is only the first step. You must also determine if your pain is acute (short term) or chronic (long lasting). The more information we have at the outset, the easier it is to make personalized treatment recommendations.

Acute pain often improves with rest and at-home treatments, while chronic pain usually results from an underlying medical condition that requires long-term management and care.

Hip pain: When to rest

Hip pain affects everyone differently, but we typically recommend rest if your symptoms are acute. Acute hip pain is short term and typically caused by an injury, such as a muscle strain or an overextended tendon or ligament.

Acute hip pain tends to occur suddenly, after a fall or physical activity, like sports or exercise. It’s characterized by sharp, shooting pain, swelling, and in some cases, bruising. If you experience any of these symptoms, take it easy for at least 24 hours. You don’t necessarily have to stop moving altogether, but if you must stay active, modify your activities to avoid putting extra strain on your hip.

Hip pain: When to stay active

Alternatively, if your hip pain is due to a chronic medical issue, like osteoarthritis or age-related stiffness, staying mobile can reduce discomfort. Once again, the focus is on gentle movement, rather than pushing yourself to the limit.

While it might seem counterintuitive, regular physical activity improves circulation, strengthens your surrounding muscles, and reduces hip stiffness. Research supports this recommendation. One study found that people with hip osteoarthritis who exercised regularly had less pain and a better quality of life than those with osteoarthritis who didn’t.

Other tips for managing hip pain safely

Since it can be difficult to identify whether your hip pain is acute or chronic, we recommend scheduling an appointment with our expert team. After discussing your symptoms, completing a physical exam, and ordering lab tests and diagnostic imaging, we can make custom recommendations to help you feel better.

This may include:

Ice and heat therapy
Physical therapy
Use of over-the-counter (OTC) pain relievers
Avoiding high-impact activities until the injury heals
Low-impact exercises, such as walking, cycling, or swimming

The goal is to ease your hip pain and restore your mobility, so you can maintain your routine and participate in the activities you love.

Schedule hip pain treatment today!