Your hip is one of the main joints in your body, making it susceptible to injuries and problems like fractures, dislocations, bursitis, and osteoarthritis. These complications can result in painful symptoms that limit your life quality. Fortunately, you do not have to tolerate hip pain or undergo surgery to correct your condition. The Naples hip pain specialists offer nonsurgical treatments that can help alleviate your symptoms and lead a quality life. You can also actively minimize your symptoms through several collaborative efforts with your doctor. Generally, here is what you need to do to manage your hip pain.
Get an Accurate Diagnosis First
No matter how mild you might think your symptoms are, the first thing you should do when you are enduring hip pain is to seek an accurate diagnosis. Even if you got an injury on your hip, you might not really understand what is going on with your hip until a professional diagnoses it. Also, an accurate diagnosis paves the way for your doctor to understand the exemplary treatment efforts to manage the situation. Your doctor can order further advanced testing to get to the root of your or recommend steps you should take to alleviate your symptoms.
Use Painkillers
When the exact cause of your pain is understood, it becomes easier to know what you can do to find relief. Some pain medications, like nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), are best at soothing hip pain, and you can access them at your local stores or pharmacies. Naproxen, aspirin, and ibuprofen can relieve you for several hours. If over-the-counter medications fail to offer relief, you can consult your doctor for more potent prescription painkillers. Remember not to take any medications without consulting your doctor first.
Use Ice
You can minimize inflammation of your joint by holding ice on the joint. Generally, get an ice pack and wrap it around your hip joint, leaving it for about fifteen minutes. Repeat that several times a day at an interval of about an hour per session. However, be careful not to use the ice directly on your skin. Even when using an ice pack, wrap it using a towel when you find out it is uncomfortably cold.
Heat the Joint
If your hip pain is a result of arthritis, heating the joint can soothe the symptoms away. You can take a hot shower or bath or soak in a hot tub. You can also purchase a hot pad and use it on your hip. However, avoid leaving the pad on your hip for too long to avoid burning effects on your skin. It would help if you never used a heating pad when feeling sleepy. Also, please restrain from using the heat pad if you have bursitis, as it can cause more inflammation.
Rest Your Hip
If your doctor has diagnosed your hip pain and it is not that bad, the rest could improve. Resting allows your hip to heal, and you must avoid all activities for about 24-48 hours. You can use this time to use ice or heat to manage your symptoms. As you rest, ensure you change your position so often to avoid aggravating your pain when you sleep on one side for a long time.
If you are enduring hip pain, the Naples Regenerative Institute specialists can help you. Remember that an accurate diagnosis is a gateway to effectively managing your symptoms. Therefore, book your appointment today via a call or online and get started immediately.
