5 Ways to Ease Arthritis Hip Pain

Living with arthritis hip pain can be challenging, but with the right strategies, you can take control of your condition and improve your quality of life. In this guide, we’ll cover the different types of arthritis that may cause arthritis hip pain, common symptoms experienced, and treatment options.

Understanding Arthritis Hip Pain

Arthritis is a condition characterized by pain and inflammation in the joints. Hip arthritis is a common form that occurs due to the degradation of hip joint cartilage.¹ Symptoms of hip arthritis include pain, stiffness, clicking sounds when moving the hip, and weakness.¹ Various types of arthritis can contribute to hip pain, such as¹:

• Osteoarthritis
• Rheumatoid arthritis
• Psoriatic arthritis
• Post-traumatic arthritis

These conditions can lead to discomfort and reduced mobility in the hip joints, emphasizing the need for appropriate management and treatment.

Causes of Arthritis Hip Pain

Arthritis hip pain can be associated with various causes, including:

• Aging: Cartilage wear in the hip joint increases with age.¹
• Injury: Severe hip injuries like fractures can lead to arthritis later.¹
• Overuse: Jobs or sports with repetitive hip stress can cause osteoarthritis.¹

Other factors like obesity, gender (women who are postmenopausal are more likely to develop hip osteoarthritis than men), genetics and other health conditions may also be risk factors for developing hip arthritis.¹

5 Ways to Relieve Arthritis Hip Pain

The type of treatment required for hip pain depends on its underlying cause. Below, we share five strategies that can help alleviate hip pain due to arthritis. But remember that your healthcare provider will be able to recommend appropriate treatments based on the severity of your pain and its specific cause.²

1. Joint-friendly exercises

If a structural issue is contributing to your hip pain, your healthcare provider may recommend physical therapy.² A physical therapist will guide you through joint-friendly stretches and exercises designed to strengthen the muscles around your affected hip, enhancing stability and potentially reducing pain.²

2. Warm and cold therapy

Hot and cold therapy are both effective and affordable ways to treat pain.³ For acute arthritic pain accompanied by inflammation and swelling, ice is generally recommended. On the other hand, heat is beneficial for relieving joint pain or stiffness.³

3. Mindful movement practices

Regular meditation practice may help to ease up your arthritis symptoms.⁴

Research shows that mindfulness meditation is one of the most effective forms of meditation for arthritis. This meditation focuses on staying completely present in the current moment while acknowledging thoughts, feelings, and sensations in an open way.⁴

Related article: Your Complete Guide to Arthritis Joint Pain

4. Supporting nutritional choices

Although there isn't a magical diet that can relieve arthritis-related pain, certain foods can assist in combating inflammation and alleviating joint pain.⁵

Opting for a diet abundant in whole foods like fruits, vegetables, fish, nuts, and beans, while minimizing processed foods and saturated fats, can aid in managing arthritis-related pain.⁵

This advice mirrors the principles of the Mediterranean diet, renowned for its anti-inflammatory and disease-fighting properties.⁵

5. Over-the-counter solutions

Your healthcare provider may suggest medication to help manage arthritis-related hip pain.²

Many people also turn to over-the-counter NSAIDs (Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatories), like ibuprofen, for pain relief.²

Another option is topical analgesics, such as Biofreeze’s topical treatments, which can help relieve pain.⁶ However, please note that Biofreeze is not indicated for the first three types of arthritis mentioned earlier, though it may be helpful for post-traumatic arthritis, depending on the case

Knowing When to Consult Professionals

Hip pain is a symptom associated with various conditions.² However, if your hip pain persists despite trying at-home remedies or if it interferes with your usual activities, it's important to consult with your healthcare provider who can suggest ways to help you regain pain-free mobility swiftly.²