By Enyeribe Ejiogu
When you watch National Geographic videos on DSTv and see lions or lionesses hotly chase antelopes or other preys, they twist, turn and flip in the air as they pounce on the prey, bringing them down with advantageous change in momentum enhanced by the combination of speed and mass. You just wonder for one brief moment whether they ever suffer from rheumatoid arthritis, that debilitating disease that leads to musculoskeletal degeneration, often seen in humans.
Arthritis and other bone-related diseases can terribly and painfully constrain a person movement and by implication keep the individual so affected from enjoying a reasonably good quality of life in all aspects of daily living. Waist pain is one of the manifestations of the medical condition. However, not all waist pains are caused by arthritis. Dislocation, injury to the pelvic bone or inflammation of the pelvic bone can also cause waist pain.
It is common knowledge that intimacy cements and lubricates relationship between spouses and other consensual partners. You can, therefore, imagine the psychological trauma of a person having to contend with waist pain when Valentine’s Day is around the corner. It is like a Chinese person not being able to participate in the Lunar New Year festivities. Horror of horrors!! But there is hope. Below are steps to take, remedy the situation. Read on…
Don’t wait, lose weight
For every 10 pounds of extra body weight you carry, there’s an added 50 pounds of pressure on your hips and knees. If your joints are feeling the strain, find a weight that works best for you and talk to your doctor about the best ways to slim down. It’ll ease your hip pain and make it easier to move around.
Take a load off
Your weight isn’t only about body fat: your hips also absorb the weight of everything you carry in your hands and on your back. To take the pressure off, use a handcart for groceries and use luggage with wheels. If you carry a purse, consider a backpack style so the weight is even across your back.
Move it, to lose it
It makes sense to rest your hip until the pain eases up. Once it does, prescribe yourself a daily dose of exercise to build stronger muscles and keep joint stiffness at bay. Ask your doctor whether low-impact activities like walking, swimming, or yoga would help ease your condition.
Avoid high-impact exercise
Movement will help your hips, but this isn’t the time to take up downhill running or kickboxing. Start slow with a few minutes on a stationary bike or elliptical. As soreness gives way to strength, you can bump up the length of your workouts.
Water workouts
For the ultimate low-impact exercise, use a pool or spa. Water supports your body and takes some of the stress off your joints. It also allows for freer, smoother movements and provides good resistance to make your muscles stronger. Talk to your doctor or a physical therapist about exercises that will help your hips.
Stretch, strengthen and stabilize
There are also specific exercises that can help with hip pain. They can work the parts of your body that support these joints, including your legs and core. To get the right routine and form, it’s best to work with a professional, like a physical therapist. And don’t push yourself — if you feel pain during a workout, stop.
Use heat and cold
Have a bag of frozen veggies handy? Wrap it in a thin towel and press it directly onto your hips to ease pain. Use warmth — like a hot shower or compress — to loosen up muscles right before you stretch.
Heal without heels
Sometimes the answer for hip pain is right under your toes. High heels put your foot at an unnatural angle and can throw off your body’s alignment, which can cause hip pain. Try flat shoes instead, and avoid standing for too long in one stretch. Just be sure the flats have good arch support and some cushioning to help absorb shocks.
Over-the-counter medications
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), like ibuprofen and naproxen, are a common way to take the edge off when your hip hurts. If you can’t take them (maybe because of allergies or stomach problems), try acetaminophen (sold as Tylenol in the United States) or Paracetamol instead. Ask your doctor to recommend the best type and dosage for your condition, and to make sure these pain relievers are safe for you.
Consider other medicines
In some cases, hip pain is part of a bigger issue, like arthritis, an injury, or a pinched nerve. With these conditions, you’ll need something stronger for the pain. For example, if you have rheumatoid arthritis (RA), your doctor might recommend a steroid to ease inflammation or a biologic that works with the parts of your immune system that make your joints inflamed.
Try an alternative therapy
If traditional therapies don’t work, shift to a mind-body approach. You may have more success with acupuncture, massage, or a chiropractic adjustment.
• With material adapted from webmd.com