6 Reasons You May Be Experiencing Back and Hip Pain
This content was medically reviewed by Baher S. Yanni, MD, on February 8th, 2021.
Pain can be distressing, especially if you’re not sure what brought it on. If you are experiencing back and hip pain, these aggravating symptoms are usually the result of overuse or injury. The frustrating aspect of combined hip and back pain is that many different causes could be to blame.
Back pain can easily be mistaken for hip discomfort. The joint of your hip is located near your spine, so certain health conditions and injuries affect the nerves in both of these areas. That means the culprit of your hip and back pain could overlap.
Here are six reasons you may be experiencing pain in both your lower back and your hip.
1. Muscle Strain or Sprain
Sprains and strains are the most common causes of pain around your back and hip region. Sprains are torn or overstretched ligaments, while strains impact the muscles or tendons. These injuries can occur when you lift something heavy. They might also occur due to a sports injury, a fall or simply twisting your body in an awkward way.
2. Tight Hip Flexors
If you sit for long periods of time every day, your hip and back pain may be caused by tight hip flexors. These muscles are responsible for a wide range of motion in your legs and hips. When they’re overly tight or stiff, you can experience back and hip pain.
3. Pinched Nerve
The nerves in your spine and other parts of your body can become compressed by surrounding bones, muscle or tissue. Because this pressure interrupts proper nerve function, a pinched nerve can lead to discomfort or shooting pain. So, your aching back and uncomfortable hips may be the result of a pinched nerve in your back, spine or hip.
4. Herniated Disc
Also called a slipped or ruptured disc, this condition occurs when one of the cushioning discs that protect your vertebrae slips out of place. This change can put pressure on nearby nerves, causing them to become irritated or inflamed. Often, those with herniated discs experience tingling or burning pain in their lower back that can extend to the hips or legs.
5. Arthritis
Arthritis is an inflammatory condition that can impact one or more of your joints. Osteoarthritis, specifically, can lead to a breakdown of cartilage in the spine. Without this protective cushioning, the spinal bones can rub together and put pressure on the nerves, thus impacting your lower back and hips.
6. Sacroiliac Joint Dysfunction
The sacroiliac or SI joint connects the lower portion of your spine to the pelvis. The joint absorbs shock experienced between your upper body and legs. A strain or injury to the SI joint can lead to radiating hip and back pain. SI dysfunction can also occur when this joint moves too much or too little, leading to pain in the back and hips.
Find Back and Hip Pain Relief at Spine INA
Back and hip pain should not inhibit your day to day life. If you feel discouraged because of your chronic symptoms, it’s time to schedule your appointment at Spine INA. Our experienced team will diagnose your back and hip pain and work with you to develop an individual treatment approach so that you can get back to enjoying your life. Contact us today to learn more.
