Want to hip thrust like Michael Jackson without developing the same sort of chronic pain? We all do, yet millions of Americans still suffer from hip OA (osteoarthritis). Arthritis is a deterioration of the cartilage that lines your hip socket and helps the bones glide smoothly. This can become worn due to injury, or more commonly, wear and tear, and eventually lead to bone-on-bone contact. Patients with this condition will usually complain of pain around the outside upper thigh or the groin, and will develop feelings of stiffness upon waking up and after a prolonged sit. Pain will increase with activity and decrease with rest. If you experience groin pain, consult a doctor or physical therapist immediately, as this may be a sign of a severely damaged joint.
The biggest causes of arthritis in the hip are age and genetics, which we cannot do anything about. Some other big causes are obesity, poor movement patterns, or not enough exercise. Sedentary lifestyles lead to a weakening of the muscles around the joint that attenuate, or ease the forces that run from your foot to your hip every time you take a step, so it is critical to keep your hip muscles firing. Decreasing your weight is also critical, as it decreases the pressure experienced by your hips.
While there is no cure for arthritis, the best approach for decreasing pain is movement and strengthening exercises. Strengthening the muscles of the gluts (your tuchus, buttocks, booty, etc) is critical in keeping the joined supported (or shall we say, affirmed?). The biggest player is a little guy named the “posterior gluteus medius”, also known as the “sidebutt” muscle. This keeps your hip joint moving smoothly, and allows you to remain stable as you walk. Try these amazing exercises to keep your hips strong and healthy!