How Physical Therapy Tackles Hip Pain
How Physical Therapy Tackles Hip Pain

How Physical Therapy Tackles Hip Pain

How Physical Therapy Tackles Hip Pain

You want to take care of some chores or go for a walk — but hip pain is keeping you on the couch. If this sounds familiar, know that you don’t have to suffer! At Boulet Physical Therapy, our physical therapists will guide you through a simple process to address your hip pain so you can get active again.

This newsletter will take you through that process, from understanding your symptoms to the outcomes you can expect from physical therapy. Still have questions? Call us to schedule an appointment!

Pinpoint Your Symptoms

There are several potential reasons why someone might develop hip pain. To treat your pain effectively, we need to pinpoint what that cause could be. When you visit us for your initial appointment, one of the first things we’ll do is ask you to share your symptoms. “Hip pain” often causes a lot more than just pain, and being able to describe your pain, mobility limitations, and other concerns helps us get a clearer picture of your condition.

For example, you know that your hip hurts. But when do you experience pain (i.e., during activity)? Does your pain come and go? Where do you experience pain? Is it just in your hip, or do you feel it elsewhere? Is the pain a dull ache? Sharp and shooting? Make sure to share additional symptoms you might be experiencing, too. Here are some common ones:

  • Difficulty performing everyday tasks, such as putting on your shoes — and let us know which ones
  • Stiffness/limited range of motion in your hip
  • Weakness throughout the lower extremities
  • Mobility issues, including walking, going up or down stairs, or struggling to stand up 

Understand Your Outcomes

As with treatments, your exact outcomes will vary based on the underlying cause. However, other factors can come into play, too, such as age, health status, and the amount of time you can spend with physical therapy (whether in the clinic or performing home exercise programs).

For example, osteoarthritis has no cure, but you can manage your symptoms with regular physical activity. If you stick with your prescribed exercise program, you can minimize pain, slow the progression of your condition, and delay or even avoid surgery.

If you suffered an injury, you likely will be able to resolve your hip pain, usually within 1-3 months. However, if your injury was severe, full rehabilitation — the point at which you’ve fully restored strength and function — may take longer. Continuing any prescribed exercises is important even if you no longer feel pain.

Taylor-Fontenot-Owner-and-Clinic-Director-Boulet-Physical-Therapy-and-Wellness-Lafayette-LA

Staff Spotlight

Dr. Taylor Fontenot PT, DPT, OCS

Dr. Taylor is committed to providing the best possible treatment for patients. He has completed an extensive amount of additional training since earning his doctorate in physical therapy in 2015. He is specialized in hands on manual therapy techniques and dry needling. While living in Texas he completed an orthopedic residency program in 2018 which involved further academic study and mentorship from multiple expert physical therapists. He also became a board certified Orthopedic Clinical Specialist (OCS) in 2021. Only 10% of all physical therapists across the country are board certified specialists in their field of practice. Taylor is a graduate of the University of Louisiana at Lafayette. His physical therapy journey led him to Austin, TX where he graduated from the University of St. Augustine. After living away from home for five years he and his wife both felt it was time to return home to their large Cajun families and the community they feel deeply rooted. Taylor is originally from Opelousas. He and his wife Morgan live in Lafayette and have two daughters. In their spare time, they enjoy attending LSU football games, traveling, hunting, and camping.

Recipe of the Month: Stuffed Peppers

Ingredients:

  • 4 bell peppers (any color)
  • 3/4 lb. lean, ground turkey
  • 1/2 medium onion (chopped)
  • 1/2 cup uncooked brown rice
  • 14.5 oz. canned, no-salt-added, diced tomatoes
  • 1 clove fresh, minced garlic (or 1 teaspoon garlic minced from jar)
  • 1 tsp. reduced-sodium Italian seasoning (lowest sodium available)
  • 1/4 tsp. crushed red pepper flakes (for spiciness), (optional)
  • 8 oz. canned, no-salt-added tomato sauce

Instructions:

  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Cook rice to package instructions (omitting salt). While the rice is cooking, in skillet over medium heat, brown the turkey. Add the onion and cook for 3 minutes more (until onion becomes translucent).
  2. Wash the bell peppers and remove the tops, seeds and membranes. Set peppers in a 9×9 baking dish or line them up in a loaf pan, so they stand upright.
  3. In a medium mixing bowl, mix turkey, rice, tomato, garlic, Italian seasoning, and pepper. Spoon into each pepper. Spoon tomato sauce evenly over the top of the 4 peppers. Bake 1 hour in the oven, until peppers are tender.

What’s A HEP — And Why Is It So Important to Your Success?

HEP stands for “home exercise program.” If you’re undergoing physical therapy with Boulet Physical Therapy, there’s a good chance your therapist will prescribe one to you. It’s important to note that a HEP isn’t the same as an at-home workout program. With an at-home workout, your goal is general fitness. A HEP consists of curated exercises to help you achieve your rehabilitation goals. We understand that an exercise routine can sometimes be difficult to work into a busy lifestyle. Therefore, we design our HEPs to be as straightforward as possible, with…

  • Exercises you’ve done before
  • A small time commitment
  • Strategies for managing pain, if needed

However, we also want to make sure you understand why we prescribe a HEP at all! In fact, a HEP has multiple benefits:

  1. It improves outcomes: Patients who complete their prescribed HEP experience faster and more effective rehabilitation.
  2. It improves muscle memory: This means movements will become easier, and you’ll be able to more easily incorporate additional exercises during your in-clinic sessions.
  3. It helps develop a good habit: Even after you recover, regular physical activity is essential for good health. By completing your HEP, you get into the habit of moving daily.

In short, a HEP is a small way to make big changes! And if you think you might benefit from a personalized HEP, call us to schedule a consultation.

Getting Ready for Yard Work and Gardening: Take These Steps

Spring has sprung, and many are eager to get their hands dirty in the garden or yard. However, these activities can put an unexpected strain on your body if you’re not prepared. Try these tips to keep you gardening longer while minimizing your risk for injury.

  • Movement Prep: Gone are the days of old-school static stretching. Instead, use a dynamic warm-up to prep your muscles and joints for gardening.
  • Spinal Health: Incorporate ‘active breaks’ every 20 minutes to reset your spine. Or alternate between working up high (like trimming bushes) and down low (like planting flowers). This gives specific muscle groups a break and reduces the risk of overuse injuries.
  • Neuromuscular Control: Practice exercises that engage both your brain and muscles, like balance exercises to avoid trips and falls over uneven terrain or gardening tools, making it easier to navigate through your garden. 

Utilizing these cutting-edge approaches can ensure a physically fulfilling and injury-free gardening season, allowing you to fully enjoy the fruits (and flowers) of your labor.

Happy Gardening!