Hip pain and pelvic floor therapy

“I have pain in my hip–why would I go to pelvic floor therapy?” 

There are many reasons why pelvic floor therapy might be beneficial for pain in your hip. First off, what is your “hip bone”? Your hip bone (or os coxae) actually consists of 3 bones-The ischium, the ilium, and the pubis aka “the pelvis.” 

Your pelvic floor is a series of muscles that lay across the bottom of your pelvis like a hammock. When we think of pelvic floor muscle action, most people think of “the kegel,” which looks like a drawing up and in of the pelvic floor musculature.  But did you know there is one pelvic floor muscle, the obturator internus, that helps rotate your femur out (think butterfly pose in yoga)? It attaches at the bottom of our pelvis, and slings around the lateral part of the pelvic floor to attach to the femur. It also helps suspend all your other pelvic floor muscles. 

When we don’t have adequate strength or flexibility in some muscles, it’s common that other muscles will become tightened or strained to help compensate. The obturator internus can often become strained and tight, leading to discomfort or muscle pain. 

If your “pain in the hip” is obturator internus pain, it might also look like: 

-A feeling of tightness near the acetabulum or hip socket

-Pain with sex

-Urinary frequency or urgency

-Pain deep in your abdomen

How do we treat it?

-We can help your muscles promote relaxation and mobilization through internal or external manual treatment. 

-We provide detailed postural analysis to help facilitate both ease and stability. 

-We work on finding both hip strength and mobility in order to access a more integrated muscular system

-We coach breathing techniques that help you release tension in your pelvic floor

-We’ll collaborate with you to create an individualized plan that allows you to continue your treatment in the comfort of your home

If you’re in Jamaica Plain, Roslindale, or just greater Boston area, and you’re curious about treating your hip pain through pelvic floor therapy, contact us today.