Have you bent over to pick something up off the floor today? Have you walked around at all? The odds are that the answer to both of these questions is yes, and both of these normal daily activities require close coordination between your hips and lower back. 

However, it’s normal tasks like these that can suffer most if you develop lower back and hip pain. There is a good chance that you’ll develop one or both of these types of pain. One medical study reports that about 30% of Americans have lower back pain, or lumbar pain, at any given time. Another study found that more than 19% of the people surveyed had hip pain. 

A physical therapist can help you figure out how you developed this combination of pain and what issues are causing it. In addition, these specialists can help you find effective treatment for your lower back and hip pain. 

Three possible causes of lower back and hip pain

Your lower back and hip pain could be linked to movements that you make every day, such as bending over frequently. These types of pain can also be linked to wear and tear that builds up in your body over time. Imbalances or weaknesses in the core, glute or hip muscles can also trigger these kinds of pain.

All these root causes can trigger other issues that lead to more aching in your lumbar area and hips. Some issues you might develop as a result of the above root causes include: 

1. Muscle strain — Muscles in your hips and lower back work hard to keep you stable when you bend over. They also have to work hard to raise your torso back upright. Doing too much bending over at work or during recreational activities can tire out your muscles. This can make them more likely to be strained. 

2. Osteoarthritis — Both the hip and lower back can be affected by osteoarthritis. This type of arthritis occurs when natural wear and tear builds up in the hip or lumbar spine. In turn, this damage triggers inflammation in the affected area, which can lead to discomfort. 

3. Sciatica — Weak core and hip muscles can leave you susceptible to a condition called sciatica. Weakness in these areas can allow the lumbar spine and hips to drift out of their normal alignment. These misalignments can both cause one of the sciatic nerves to become pinched. This can lead to shooting pain that runs from the lumbar region, through the buttocks and hip, and down the back of the leg. 

Find help for your lower back and hip pain at Continuum Wellness

Seeking effective treatment for your lower back and hip pain? Our physical therapists at Continuum Wellness are primed to help you get the top-notch care you’re looking for. We can do a free screening for you that’s intended to pinpoint the cause of your discomfort. Also, our specialists are adept at building personalized therapy plans that may include techniques like: 

• At-home care
• Manual therapy
• Instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization (IASTM)
• McKenzie Method^®
• Therapeutic exercises
• Virtual therapy

Contact our team today for more information about our lower back and hip treatment options or to schedule an initial appointment.