Can you have both lower back and hip pain?

It may seem odd, but the answer to this question is clearly found in a children’s song. Anyone who’s ever heard or sung “The Skeleton Dance” knows that “the hip bone’s connected to the backbone.” This is a simplistic interpretation of the connection between the hips and the lower back, but it illustrates that you can experience pain in both areas at once. 

Physical therapists can help you learn more about what’s causing the pain in these areas. They also have access to potent treatment options that can help reduce your lower back and hip pain. 

What’s causing your lower back and hip pain? 

The connection between the hips and lower back (lumbar area) goes beyond bones. These two areas of the body are also connected by cartilage, nerves, muscles and other soft tissue. A problem with any one of these structures can lead to discomfort and other troublesome symptoms. Some of the issues that could be causing your hip and lower back to ache include: 

• Hip osteoarthritis — A condition that develops as hip joint cartilage wears out over time. 

• Sacroiliac joint dysfunction — This issue occurs when the inflexible cartilage of the sacroiliac joint becomes inflamed. 

• Sciatica — A problem that develops when one of the sciatic nerves becomes irritated or pinched. 

• Spinal osteoarthritis — This condition develops naturally as people age. It occurs when cartilage, vertebrae and spinal discs begin to wear out. 

• Herniated lumbar discs — A condition that occurs when the outer covering of a spinal disc is damaged. 

• Pregnancy — Pregnancy releases chemicals that relax the soft tissue in the pelvic area, which can lead to misalignment and aching in the lower back and hips. 

• Muscle strains — A condition that develops when you overstretch a lower back or hip muscle. 

• Ligament sprains — This issue is when a hip or lower back ligament is overstretched or slightly torn. 

How can a physical therapist treat your lower back and hip pain?

Physical therapists have many techniques they can use to treat lower back and hip discomfort. The most likely treatment avenue for aching in these areas is a personalized treatment plan that may include therapy methods such as: 

• Therapeutic exercises intended to stretch and strengthen muscles in your hips, lower back and stomach. 

• Instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization (IASTM) therapy designed to break up scar tissue left behind by previous lower back or hip injuries. 

• Myofascial release that focuses on identifying and addressing myofascial trigger points in hip or lower back soft tissue. 

• Joint mobilization that can help improve the flexibility of the hip and sacroiliac joints. 

Find help treating your lower back and hip pain at Armor PT

Looking for help treating lower back and hip pain? Our Armor Physical Therapy team is primed to help you find effective care for your pain. We offer free screenings that are designed to pinpoint the cause of your pain. 

Our team can then build you an individualized therapy plan intended to reduce your pain and prevent future issues that can cause pain. We can even help you treat your pain from home. This is possible thanks to the at-home care and virtual therapy services we offer. 

Contact us today for more information about all the treatment options we offer for lumbar and hip pain or to schedule an initial appointment.