Lower Back and Hip Pain

"How Lower Back and Hip Pain are Related and About Pain Relief"

lower back pain

Lower back and hip pain can strike at the same time.

Most people don't realize it immediately, but everything in the body really is connected.

Pain in one area can cause pain in another. And, tightness in an area can cause pain or tightness in another.

Here we'll explore how lower back pain can involve the hip.

The Major Joints of The Lower Body

Each joint in the lower body has it's own purpose and to complete that purpose, it's own level of mobility.

The ankle should be fairly mobile. If it is not, then the body will look to replace that movement elsewhere; usually at the knee - a joint whose primary purpose is to move through flexion and extension.

Any additional movement at the knee could increase the possibility of injury.

Then we have the hip, which much like the ankle should be fairly mobile. As a ball and socket joint, the hip must move through flexion, extension, abduction, and adduction.

Lower back pain can arise when the mobility at the hip is compromised.

Restrictions in Movement

Restricted movement in one area can send a chain reaction through the body. Those restrictions in movement are sometimes compounded by existing pain at that specific joint or in another area of the body.

Many clients come to me with compromised mobility in several joints. They are stuck behind a desk or in sitting positions for so much of their days that the muscles shorten and weaken. Their posture and movement begin to suffer as a result.

Humans are experts at finding ways to avoid pain, but sometimes the pain becomes too great and we seek the help of doctors, physical therapists, and fitness professionals to help resolve the issues.

Curing Your Lower Back Pain

After consulting with your primary physician and making sure you are in good enough health to begin an exercise program, it is advisable to meet with a physical therapist or in some cases a certified personal trainer.

With many of my clients, a comprehensive balance of lower back exercises, core exercises, and mobility drills have helped to provide much needed lower back pain relief.

Following a movement screen assessment, we are able to determine the problem areas or problem joints, figure out which muscles are tight and which are weak, then design an exercise program that will allow you to reach not only your goals of relieving pain, but will also help you to lose stomach fat and increase your energy levels.

Recommended Products for Lower Back and Hip Pain

Eric Cressey's Magnificent Mobility DVD is the premier product for helping to teach these principles safely and effectively and it incorporates many of the exercises we use in our own program design.