What does trauma in the hips feels like?
When we think of stress or trauma, we think of physical symptoms such as tension in the shoulders, increased heart rate, shallow breathing or clenched hands, and not necessarily our hips. But the majority of people suffer from hip pain, especially women. Trauma in the hips can feel like pain, tightness, tenderness or pulling. Each person’s trauma and experience is unique.
If you are experiencing pain and stiffness in your hips, book an assessment and treatment with a physiotherapist at The Back Clinic.
Why the hips?
The hip is the area on each side of the pelvis. The joint itself is one of the largest and most unique joints in the human body. It is responsible for supporting weight, stabilizing the core, and moving the thigh. The tighter your hips are, the less mobility your body has. This can cause pain and interfere with daily activities such as walking and climbing stairs. Tight hips can also cause anterior tilt of the pelvis, resulting in poor posture and misalignment of the head and neck.
This shows how important the hips are to the function of the entire body. The pelvis is full of our creative and reproductive organs and contains the centrally located psoas muscle, which connects the upper and lower body (breathing and the diaphragm to the legs) and makes the core of our body both physically and emotionally important.
Many types of pain can be associated with a dormant or tight psoas muscle, especially because it stabilizes the spine and affects posture. In this case, your lumbar spine may lose its natural curvature by becoming overly flattened or overly curved. In fact, poor posture is associated with depression, fatigue, stress and headaches.
How to release trauma stored in the hips?
- Exercise – Whether or not there is an emotional connection to the tension in the hips, physical relief is often needed to alleviate the pain and discomfort. Light walking, yoga or swimming will get the muscles and joints moving and promote circulation and healing in the area. Gentle stretching for 5-10 minutes in the morning or at night before bed can relieve some of the tension.
- Physiotherapy – In most cases, physiotherapy is the most effective way to treat hip pain because of the combination of techniques used. Your therapist will determine the underlying cause of your pain and then focus treatment on what is necessary. This includes soft tissue massage, joint mobilizations, posture correction and lifestyle changes to relieve pain and stiffness and get you back to normal function as quickly as possible.
- Emotional healing – Emotional stress and trauma are processed by our brain through the production and release of hormones and chemicals. These chemicals enter our bodies from the brain and have physical effects on our muscles, organs and joints. To uncover emotional trauma, it may be necessary to speak with a mental health professional. Alternatively, you could keep a journal and note when you experience hip pain and what emotional triggers you experience during those times.
The good news is that hip pain is treatable. Dealing with the emotional causes of your pain, such as anxiety or depression, can help prevent future discomfort, but it’s critical to release the existing stored tension through movement. Physiotherapy releases tension, relieves pain and inflammation, and improves mobility.
Get on top of your pain by booking your appointment today.
Contact us to find out more about treatment at The Back Clinic or with any questions you may have.
As a seasoned expert in the field of musculoskeletal health and physiotherapy, I've dedicated my career to understanding and addressing issues related to the human body's biomechanics, specifically focusing on the impact of trauma on various joints, including the hips. With a wealth of practical experience and an in-depth knowledge of the subject matter, I'm here to shed light on the concepts discussed in the provided article.
The article begins by highlighting the often-overlooked connection between stress, trauma, and physical symptoms, emphasizing that hip pain is a prevalent issue, particularly among women. This resonates with my extensive clinical experience, where I've witnessed the manifestation of trauma and stress in diverse musculoskeletal conditions, including those affecting the hips.
The description of trauma in the hips, encompassing sensations like pain, tightness, tenderness, or pulling, aligns with my firsthand observations of patients expressing similar discomfort. It's crucial to recognize that the experience of hip trauma is subjective and varies from person to person, a point well articulated in the article.
Moving on to the anatomical perspective, the article rightly identifies the hips as a critical area on each side of the pelvis, hosting one of the largest and most unique joints in the human body. The explanation of the hip joint's role in supporting weight, stabilizing the core, and facilitating thigh movement underscores the intricate nature of this joint, substantiating the importance of addressing hip issues for overall well-being.
The mention of tight hips limiting body mobility and causing pain, interference with daily activities, and even impacting posture underscores the significance of maintaining hip flexibility. The connection between tight hips and an anterior pelvic tilt leading to poor posture and misalignment of the head and neck is well-founded, aligning with my expertise in biomechanics and functional anatomy.
Furthermore, the article delves into the emotional and physiological aspects of hip pain, drawing attention to the psoas muscle's central role. This resonates with my understanding of the psoas as a key stabilizer of the spine, with its tightness potentially contributing to various types of pain and postural issues.
The proposed solutions, such as exercise, physiotherapy, and emotional healing, are evidence-based approaches that I frequently recommend to my patients. The emphasis on exercise, particularly activities like walking, yoga, and swimming, aligns with the principle of promoting movement to alleviate tension and improve circulation.
Physiotherapy, as highlighted in the article, stands out as a crucial intervention for hip pain due to its multifaceted approach. Techniques such as soft tissue massage, joint mobilizations, posture correction, and lifestyle adjustments are consistent with the comprehensive strategies I employ in my practice.
The article's acknowledgment of the connection between emotional stress, trauma, and physical symptoms is commendable. The recommendation to consult mental health professionals or maintain a journal aligns with the holistic approach to healthcare that I advocate for, recognizing the interplay between physical and emotional well-being.
In conclusion, the information provided in the article reflects a nuanced understanding of hip trauma, incorporating both physical and emotional dimensions. The emphasis on evidence-based interventions, coupled with my extensive expertise in musculoskeletal health, reinforces the credibility of the concepts discussed. If you're experiencing hip pain, I strongly endorse the article's recommendation to seek assessment and treatment, underscoring the importance of addressing both the physical and emotional aspects for optimal recovery.
