Why are my hips so stiff all the time?

The most likely answer is that you’re one of the many people affected by hip osteoarthritis. This condition occurs naturally as the hips age, and it can also be related to past hip injuries. 

Medical researchers agree that hip osteoarthritis is a common reason why people’s hips are so stiff. They estimate that 1 in 4 people who live to age 85 will develop this condition. Besides age and past injuries, there are other factors that can increase your risk of hip osteoarthritis. A physical therapist can talk with you about these factors. They can also help you find ways to treat hips that are stiff all the time. 

These risk factors can be why your hips are so stiff

There are many factors that can increase your risk of developing the pain and stiffness of hip osteoarthritis. Some of these factors include: 

• Doing high-impact activities regularly — Staying active generally decreases your risk of hip osteoarthritis. But doing a lot of high-impact activities can actually increase your risk. Such activities can include playing sports like football or hockey. Also, manual laborers could be more susceptible to this type of arthritis. 

• Gender — Although both men and women can develop hip osteoarthritis, studies show that women are 10% more likely to develop this condition. 

• Genetics — Some researchers report that your family genetics can play a role in developing hip osteoarthritis. One study estimates that 58% of the cases of this condition are linked to genetics. 

Ways a physical therapist can help reduce hip osteoarthritis symptoms

There are many therapy techniques that can benefit people living with stiffness and pain caused by hip osteoarthritis. A few of the techniques your physical therapist may use include: 

• Joint mobilization
• Instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization (IASTM)
• Specific strength and stability training
• Dry needling
• At-home care
• Ergonomics training
• Virtual therapy

Advent Physical Therapy offers high-quality hip osteoarthritis treatment

Ready to start doing something about your hip osteoarthritis symptoms? Our team at Advent PT is here to help you find effective care for hip osteoarthritis. We offer free screenings that can determine if your symptoms are being caused by an arthritic hip. In addition, our physical therapists are adept at constructing individualized therapy plans designed to reduce hip pain and improve hip range of motion.

Contact our team today for more information about our hip osteoarthritis services or to schedule an initial appointment.