Acupuncture for Hip Pain: Powerful & Effective Therapy for Pain Relief

Get Rid of Hip Pain With Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM)

Hip pain is known as one of the most common joint pains in the United States, which affects people of all ages and activity levels. Discomfort you feel in or around the hip may be a symptom of various conditions such as arthritis, injury, or bursitis, and the pain itself can be temporary or chronic. In this article we will explore hip pain in detail, revealing its symptoms, causes, and types. We will explain how acupuncture for hip pain works, what some of the most targeted acupoints are and what you can expect at your first appointment.

By the time you read the article, you will have a better understanding of why acupuncture is one of the best natural hip pain treatments and how beneficial it really is in reducing the ache. It is an effective and comprehensive healing therapy that alleviates pain by releasing the body’s natural painkillers.

Table of Contents

1. How does acupuncture work?

2. Major acupressure points

3. First appointment

4. What to expect

5. Does it hurt?

6. How much is acupuncture?

7. Benefits of acupuncture

8. What are the risks?

9. The anatomy of hips

10. Common causes

11. Symptoms

12. Conventional medicine diagnosis and treatment options

13. Summary

Thinking About Acupuncture For Treating Your Hip Pain? Makari Wellness Can Help!

Michael Woodsworth, the founder of Makari Wellness, is a leading acupuncture practitioner in San Diego and Oceanside areas. He has been practicing Chinese Medicine for more than 15 years and has pursued continuing education and relevant training over the years. Makari Wellness offers effective acupuncture treatment plans to alleviate health issues such as hip pain, arthritis, sciatica, back pain, and many more. We provide the best drug-free solutions to patients suffering from hip pain and other illnesses. Contact us to enjoy a personalized, comprehensive healing plan based on your specific condition. Reach us at (888) 871-8889 to book your appointment and to discover the healing power of integrative medicine which targets and restores your overall well-being, including mind, body, emotions, and spirit.

Understanding Acupuncture: How Does It Work And Can It Treat Hip Pain?

Acupuncture, and ancient Chinese practice that has been around for thousands of years, is a holistic and drug-free therapy for a wide array of conditions. This Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) works by integrating the mind, the soul, and the body for overall well-being and health. It is the practice of administering thin needles into the skin at specific points to alleviate symptoms by rebalancing the Qi (vital energy). Acupuncture encourages better energy, oxygen, and blood flow, while promoting muscle tension relief. It also triggers hormones, immune system, and neurotransmitters.

Acupuncture can treat acute and chronic hip pain caused by various conditions, such as bursitis, sciatica, and arthritis. One of the greatest benefits of acupuncture for hip pain is that it heals and reduces discomfort without the use of any drugs. It is a completely natural therapy aimed at restoring and rebalancing your whole body for improved health and wellness.

Note: Make sure you consult with your health provider before beginning the acupuncture treatments.

The Most Important Acupuncture Points for Hip Pain

The exact acupoints which will be targeted during the session are determined after the initial exam and consultation. Based on your medical history, the exam, and the symptoms you are experiencing, the acupuncturist will identify the best acupressure points for your successful treatment.

What Happens At First Acupuncture Appointment?

Before starting the actual treatments, you will have an initial consultation and exam where the acupuncturist will ask you about your medical history, the details of your condition, and anything else that might help determine the causes of Qi imbalance. The acupuncturist will give you an estimate of how many treatments will be needed, although the number and frequency of the sessions might be adjusted at a later point in time, based on your responsiveness.

This assessment helps them outline the treatment plan based on your specific needs. You will be treated for hip pain, and any other underlying condition that may be present. At this point, the practitioner will have all the necessary information to identify the right acupuncture points.

What To Expect During the Acupuncture Session For Hip Pain?

Acupuncture’s goal is to return your body to wellness. The whole procedure is oriented towards reducing the pain, but also towards relaxing and calming. Often, the lights in the room are dimmed, with meditation music in the background. The acupuncturist will insert super thin needles with a light tap and leave you to rest in the room while the acupoints are activated. He or she will also check in on you to make sure you are comfortable and everything is in order.

Make sure you communicate with the specialist if you feel any discomfort, as they will manipulate the needle if necessary. You should not be feeling hurt while undergoing acupuncture treatments. A typical session takes about 10 – 30 minutes, depending on your condition.

Does Acupuncture Hurt?

Acupuncture causes very little to no pain at all. In the beginning you might feel a slight discomfort or a mild tingling sensation, but once the needles are properly inserted, you should not be feeling any pain at all. The procedure itself will relax you and loosen you up, you might even fall asleep. Some people reported feeling energized after the session as a result of improved energy and blood flow.

What Are The Benefits of Using Acupuncture to Treat Pain In The Hip?

Acupuncture is a wonderful comprehensive method to manage a variety of different symptoms of hip pain. The advantages are numerous:

Can Acupuncture For Hip Pain Harm Me?

The chances and risks from acupuncture hurting you are very slim to none. Acupuncture, as part of TCM, is considered a complementary and integrative therapy, that is approved by conventional medicine too. Do not forget to consult with your health provider first. Make sure you tell your doctor if you are pregnant, have a pacemaker, or have a bleeding disorder.

How Many Acupuncture Sessions Are Needed for Treating Hip Pain?

You might be curious about how many acupuncture treatments you have to receive before seeing the results. Typically, weekly sessions are needed before an optimum energy balance is achieved. Depending on the severity of the pain, the first results can be felt anywhere from a week to several weeks. The practitioner will gradually change the sessions frequency and/or length based on how responsive your body is.

How Expensive Is Acupuncture?

The exact cost will depend on the type and frequency of treatments, among other things. If you are interested, please refer to our pricing information via the FAQ page, where you can see different payment plans and packages.

The Anatomy of Hip Joints: How They Work

Hip joint is a very complex joint that connects legs (femur) with torso (pelvis). It is a ball-and-socket bone shape surrounded with more than 30 muscles and tendons. The round part of thigh bone (femur) fits into a socket in the pelvis. It is one of the largest joints in your body, which is constantly used for movement, balancing and supporting the weight. It has exceptional strength as it is supported by extra strong muscles and ligaments.

What Are the Most Common Causes of Hip Pain?

It is quite hard to turn a blind eye to a painful hip as it can have a detrimental effect on the quality of your life. It may interfere with your daily activities, limit your social life engagement, disrupt your sleep patterns, cause anxiety or emotional distress, and prevent you from relaxing. So, let’s take a look at why your hip aches. Hip pain can be caused by a number of different reasons, such as:

• Arthritis, including Osteoarthritis – cartilage damage, inflammation, overuse of the joint
• Bursitis (outer hip) – Inflammation of hip bursae, a fluid-filled sack lubricating the joint
• Sciatica – nerve pain due to compression of the sciatic nerve
• Fracture – common among older people, women in particular
• Hip Tendonitis– injury of the connective tissues
• Sacroiliac joint pain – discomfort commonly caused by arthritis, injury, pregnancy, or infection
• Piriformis syndrome – piriformis muscle compressing sciatic nerve, causing pain, tingling, and numbness not only in the buttocks, but also in the hip and down the leg, or legs
• Hip Labral Tear – injury or overall degeneration of the labrum (a cartilage ring cushioning the outside of the joint)
• Hip dysplasiaor Dislocated hip – anatomical abnormality when the ball part of the femur bone is not completely covered by the socket part
• Hip flexor strain – a common injury to one of the muscles that flex the knee towards your torso, located in the pelvic area on top of the thigh

What Are The Typical Symptoms Of Hip Problems?

The ache in hips can occur due to a wide range of conditions and the major ones include arthritis, sciatica, and bursitis. We will take a look at the symptoms for each one to help you better understand how these conditions manifest.

Arthritis

Arthritis is caused by deteriorated cartilage, which serves to protect and cushion the bones. Over time, the cartilage wears out with the following symptoms:

• Pain in or around the hip, sometimes felt in the groin, too
• Cracking or snapping sound when moving
• Hip stiffness
• Weakness in the joint

Sciatica

The pain typically occurs because of a herniated disc or any pressure on the sciatic nerve. Symptoms of sciatica may include any of the following:

• weakness in the legs
• tingling
• numbness
• shooting pain radiating down the leg
• sciatic nerve pain
• in severe cases incontinence

Hip Bursitis Symptoms

Bursae is a fluid-filled sack acting as a cushion for bones, muscles, and tendons of the hip joint. Bursitis happens when the fluid-filled sacks (bursae) get inflamed or irritated. The intensity and frequency of the symptoms depend on the location and the intensity of bursitis. They may include:

• Hip tenderness
• Stiffness
• Swelling
• Redness
• Gradually intensifying and radiating pain

Hip Pain in Conventional Medicine: Diagnosing And Treatment Options

If the discomfort, pain, or ache in your hip does not go away, you should immediately see your doctor or a specialist, who will conduct a thorough analysis. You will discuss your medical history and previous issues before undergoing a physical exam. Furthermore, your doctor may order lab and imaging testing if medical history or exam are inconclusive or to rule out fractures. Imaging may involve X-ray, MRI, or CT scan.

Depending on the severity, intensity, and cause, conventional treatments for hip pain may be:

How Do I Keep Hips Healthy For A Long Time?

Although hip joints are quite durable and strong, they can get worn down over time due to injuries, or cartilage damage for example. That’s why it’s of utmost importance to maintain healthy hips. Some of the things that will help you keep them strong and healthy for a long time are:

• a well-balanced diet
• maintaining a healthy weight
• wearing comfortable shoes
• warming up and stretching before exercising
• exercising regularly
• practicing proper posture

Can Acupuncture Help With Hip Pain: Conclusion

Hip is one of the largest and most important joints in our body. Since it is vital in supporting weight, movement, and overall quality of life, if it starts to hurt, you should not ignore it. This is a common problem among the middle-aged and elderly population. If you or someone you care about has hip pain, it may be a good idea to introduce acupuncture as part of integrative care. Research has shown that acupuncture is a successful treatment for hip pain, hip arthritis, fractures and hip bursitis. More and more patients are seeking relief by receiving acupuncture treatments. Get in touch with us if you want to try the healing power of acupuncture administered by a highly experienced, respectable, and certified acupuncturist at Makari Wellness. Call us at (888) 871-8889 or reach out to us via the contact page.

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