What to do with hip pain?

Does the lotus position feel very stiff?

Does the lotus position feel very stiff?

What to do with hip pain is a good question; be proactive, or follow the example of the ostrich?


I am 63 years old. I have been physically active all my life. I ran track in college and continued running in road races and on my own up until the past year.

Over the past several months, I have felt strain in my inner hips after running/jogging and have stop running. I have specifically felt something like a short jabbing pain in my left hip from time to time usually when walking. Instead of running, I have been swimming over the past two years but have still felt my upper left hip from time to time.

Otherwise, I walk with energy, exercise with weights, swim, hit the punching bag without any problem and without hip pain. The only time I feel the jab in my hip is when I am walking. I mentioned it to my doctor and he responded that unless I feel pain for 10 minutes or more, I should not worry about it. That it will go away. I do not feel comfortable with that response.

I have taken glucosamine, chondrolin, etc., for decades. This is a new experience for me. I have always been strong and athletic. What do you suggest? I do not want this condition to get worse or end up with a limp or having to use a cane. I still want to remain active and not have to worry when I am going to be hit with a jab of pain in the hip to the point of disabling my walk. Thank you.

A stitch in time, saves nine, goes the old saying. Your gut feel that the doctor's response is not the right one is correct, especially as this has gone on for several months, and is now beginning to limit your activities; in short, is becoming disabling.

Hip arthritis is progressive, and will become worse if you do nothing.

Two steps to confirm what I'm thinking.

1. Lie on your back and pull your right knee to the chest, towards the opposite shoulder, try using both hands to rotate your hip inwards (the foot goes out), and then drop your knee into the lotus position. Remember exactly what you feel.

Now repeat with the naughty hip; is it significantly more stiff and do you get pain in the groin?

Remembering that you feel this strain in both hips, the arthritis may be in both joints, just worse on the left.

2. If any of the above is worrying, then get an x-ray of your pelvis, remember taken standing. Send it to me at contact, including the report.

Caught early, hip arthritis is a very treatable condition; advanced and in you're in for a hip replacement. Do you have a family history of ball and socket problems?

There are three conditions that provoke early hip arthritis; an impingement syndrome, dysplasia and a short leg. The standing x-ray will reveal all.

A bouillon made from chicken bones is probably more effective than chondroitin sulphate and glucosamine; cheaper nicer too! Use it to make a vegetable soup every week; a pressure cooker helps extract the cartilage.

Type chicken bones into the search function at Chiropractic Help.

Let me know.

Dr B


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