- Many cases of hip and joint pain respond favorably to brief periods of rest, in which the affected joint is protected from overuse or any unnecessary movement. Resting a painful hip helps to reduce swelling and irritation within the joint, which reduces pain. To reduce hip pain, avoid excessive hip joint movement until hip pain levels subside. This may entail taking a long period of rest (several hours or days) or taking several smaller periods of rest (20 to 30 minutes) throughout the day.
- Applying heat to a painful joint can reduce joint stiffness and pain levels. Apply a heating pad directly against the hip for 20 to 30 minutes, several times per day, or as symptoms warrant. Heat can also be applied to a painful hip joint using hot towels or a microwaveable heating pad.
- Several types of over-the-counter pain medications can reduce joint pain. The most popular of these medications are the NSAIDs, or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications. They reduce inflammation and swelling within a joint. Acetominophen and ibuprofen are two popular NSAIDs that can be taken on an as-needed basis to help reduce hip and joint pain. These medications are generally well-tolerated and pose few side effects.
- Avoiding physical activities that stress or irritate the hip joint is an effective way to relieve and manage hip pain. High-impact activities, such as running, jogging and step aerobics, place tremendous stress on the hip joints and often cause or worsen hip pain. Avoid these types of activities and instead focus on low-impact activities, such as walking, swimming and cycling, to relieve hip and joint pain.
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