It seems as though hip pain and dysfunction is a real hot topic as of late.  I can’t tell you how many e-mail inquiries, as well as new clients, I’ve seen in the past couple of months that dealt with some sort of hip dysfunction.

Not surprisingly, as we become better at diagnosing hip issues, it seems as though more and more people are opting to undergo hip surgery versus exploring more conservative therapies.  I don’t have stats to back this up, but it definitely seems to be the case.  Add into the mix that professional athletes like Kurt Warner, Alex Rodriguez and Carolos Delagdo have undergone hip arthroscopies in the past year, and it’s no wonder why the hip is quickly becoming a hotly discussed joint.

In many cases, hip dysfunction can be misdiagnosed due to where the actual pain is noted.  For instance, hip dysfunction can obviously lead to hip pain, but lack of control and strength from the hips can also lead to lower back and knee pain as well.  In poorly designed interventions, the focus is put on the site of the pain, versus the site of the underlying problem.

What’s more, while many people are quick to talk about hip mobility, hip strength and motor control are imperative as well.  I often describe the hips as the functional centerpiece of our body.

In my opinion, restoring hip function is a two-step process:

1 – Restore motor control to the dysfunctional muscle group(s)

2 – Regaining strength, both in isolated and integrated movements

When discussing hip motor control/strength dysfunction, we’re generally discussing the psoas, glute max, and/or posterior gluteus medius.  When a client or athlete lacks the necessary strength or motor control, this often leads to synergistic dominance (the wrong muscle performing the desired movement), increased likelihood of injury, decreased strength and performance, and increased wear and tear to the joint.

Obviously, there’s a lot more to the equation than what I’ve outlined here, but this is a topic I’ll be discussing in more depth going forward.  For more information on this topic, as well as how to get those hips fixed up and moving appropriately, be sure to check out my article “Hips Don’t Lie,” as well as the Assess and Correct DVD and manual which will be released later this year.

Stay strong
MR