Left hip pain can affect your ability to stand, walk, exercise, and even sleep.
While this issue can be attributed to various conditions, it’s not necessarily a reason for concern.
Sometimes, your hip pain may be due toover-exercising, previous mild injuries, or inflammation.
Your hormones play a role, too.
For example, women may experience hip pain before or after their periods.
The iliopsoas, for example, contributes to hip and trunk flexion.
The hamstrings, on the other hand, allow us to flex our knees and extend the hip.
An injury to these muscles may cause pain ineither side of the hipand the surrounding tissues.
So, what does it mean when your left hip hurts?
Could it be an injury or something more serious, such as arthritis?
The answer depends on what other symptoms you’re experiencing.
Here’s what you should know about it.
Piriformis syndrome, for instance, causes pain in the buttocks and hamstrings.
You may also feel pain in the back of your hip.
Its causes range from vigorous exercise to prolonged sitting, scoliosis, or injuries, according toHarvard Medical School.
The pain can radiate to the hip and affect your mobility.
Pain in the outer portion of your hip may be a sign ofgluteus medius syndrome, says Temple Health.
Sitting with poor posture may cause hip pain too, warnsHealthline.
If you normally sit with your leg crossed, you may put additional pressure on your left hip.
Over time, this habit can lead to pain, tight muscles, and limited mobility.
Cycling, running, and other repetitive activities can irritate the bursa, leading to pain and inflammation.
The same can happen when you sit for long periods.
This condition has non-specific symptoms, making diagnosis difficult.
The pain can spread to the outside of your thighs.
Other conditions, such as tendinitis, spinal problems, overuse injuries, or muscle tightness have similar symptoms.
“Doctors often assume that pain on the outer side of the hip is due to bursitis.
But 90% of the time, it’s not bursitis,” Dr. Lauren Elson toldHarvard Medical School.
Luckily, there are steps you might take when experiencing left hip pain.
“Pain almost always goes away with targeted exercise and stretching,” Elson said.
A good example is the glute bridge, which strengthens the lower back, hips, and legs.
The clamshell, lateral step-ups, and donkey kicks can help, too.
you’re able to also do the plank and its variations to build core strength.
Ideally,stretch your musclesevery few hours, as well as before and after exercise.
