Hip Flexor Strain Treatment with Physical Therapy
Are you a runner, football player, or martial artist? Then you might be at a higher-than-usual risk of developing a hip flexor strain, a type of sports injury. While these strains can be painful (and put you out of commission for at least a few weeks), physical therapy offers several options for hip flexor strain treatment.
Your hip flexors are a group of muscles located where your thigh meets your hip. Anytime you lift your knee to your chest or bend at the waist, you’re using your hip flexors. Strains occur when one of those muscles tears, either partially or completely.
The good news is that you can generally rehabilitate from a hip flexor strain without surgery or other invasive treatments. Physical therapy at Bridge Physical Therapy is usually enough to help you recover from your injury and return to your daily activities.
Today, we want to share more information about hip flexor strains, including the common signs and symptoms and the treatments we use. Do you have any specific questions? Don’t hesitate to call our South Ogden, UT clinic to speak to our friendly, knowledgeable staff!
How Do I Know If I’ve Suffered a Hip Flexor Strain?
All types of muscle strains are divided into three categories based on their severity, and hip flexor strains are no exception. Your exact symptoms and treatment will vary based on what level of strain you’ve suffered:
Mild Hip Flexor Strains
- A mild strain occurs when only a few muscle fibers are damaged. You may notice slight pain or tenderness at the front of your hip.
Moderate Hip Flexor Strains
- A moderate strain occurs when a significant number of muscle fibers are torn. This leads to more severe pain symptoms and difficulty using the hip flexor muscles, especially when lifting the knee to the chest.
Severe Hip Flexor Strains
- A severe strain occurs when the tissue completely ruptures or separates from the bone. You’ll experience severe pain and a loss of function. You will likely notice a limp when walking, as well as some swelling or bruising around your hips.
Severe hip flexor strain treatment may include surgical repair. Generally speaking, however, physical therapy alone can help make a successful recovery. Even if you do have to undergo surgery, physical therapy will play an important role in your post-operative rehabilitation.
What To Expect During Treatment for a Hip Flexor Strain
Physical therapy at Bridge Physical Therapy is a comprehensive approach to hip flexor strain treatment that focuses on reducing pain, restoring mobility, and preventing future injuries. We’ll start with a thorough assessment to identify the severity of the strain and pinpoint the exact muscles involved. This tailored evaluation ensures that your treatment is targeted and effective.
Treating hip flexor strains is generally a multi-step process.
The first phase focuses on reducing pain and inflammation. We’ll typically use manual therapy techniques to relax tight muscles and ease discomfort. We may also show you some basic mobilization exercises to help you move without aggravating the injury, giving the strained muscles a chance to heal.
As the pain subsides, we’ll work on restoring strength and mobility. Targeted exercises will gradually activate the hip flexors and surrounding muscles. The key is gradual progression, allowing your muscles to regain strength without being overstressed.
Finally, we’ll help you restore functionality to your hip flexors so you can return to everyday activities and sports. Our goal is to ensure that your hip flexors and surrounding muscles work together smoothly, reducing the risk of future strains.
Begin Your Customized Treatment Program Today!
Do you suspect you’ve strained your hip flexors? Schedule an appointment at Bridge Physical Therapy. We’ll help you find the right blend of treatments that work for you!