Wondering what could be the cause of your lower back and hip pain? It could be hip bursitis. This condition causes pain and swelling around the hip region which can make daily life miserable. Worry not. I will tell you how to use natural remedies for relief. Keep reading to know more about them!
Bursitis means irritation of a bursa. Bursa is the fluid-filled sac that helps to protect the muscles, ligaments, tendons or skin that can rub against the bone and generate friction. There are about 160 bursae in the entire body. But the bursae which are present near the heels, knees, elbows, shoulders, and hips get inflamed more frequently than the other ones.
What Causes Bursitis In The Hip?
Hip bursitis or trochanteric bursitis is the inflammation of bursa in the hip region. This occurs due to the vigorous activities that inflict pressure on the bones or the bursa. The common cause for hip bursitis are –
- Incorrect posture at work or home
- Exertion of the hip muscles and joints due to over-activity
- Bone spurs
- Injury to the hip
- Spinal issues
If you have one leg that is longer than the other, it increases the risk of developing trochanteric bursitis. Medical conditions such as diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, gout, and thyroid diseases can also cause hip bursitis.
What Are Bursitis Symptoms?
Symptoms of hip bursitis include –
- Hip pain which can be sharp initially and then become a constant pain
- Pain in the outer thighs
- Swelling at the affected site
- Stiffness in the hip joint
- Clicking sensation at the hip
- Difficulty in walking
Bursitis is not serious in nature. It can be easily cured with proper care of the injured or inflamed area. Home remedies are enough to cure the ailment, but if this issue is recurring frequently, you should surely consult your doctor. Let’s check out the best home remedies to cure the ailment.
Top 10 Home Remedies For Hip Bursitis
1. Essential Oils For Hip Bursitis
You Will Need
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 4-5 drops of German chamomile oil OR basil oil OR rosemary oil OR sweet birch oil OR wintergreen oil OR myrrh oil OR helichrysum oil OR copaiba oil
What You Have To Do
- Make an oil blend by mixing the essential oil of your choice with the carrier oil.
- Apply this on the affected area and massage for a minute or two.
- Leave the oil blend on overnight.
How Often You Should Do This
Repeat this every night until the hip bursitis heals.
Why This Works
Most of these essential oils possess anti-inflammatory properties that will reduce the swelling. They also provide heat to the skin as they are warm in nature. This can help to ease the pain and give relief.
Caution
Sweet birch oil and wintergreen oil are safe for short-term use only.
2. Heat Or Ice For Hip Bursitis
You Will Need
- An ice pack
- A heat pack
What You Have To Do
- Apply the ice pack first on the swollen parts for about 10 minutes.
- Now, place the heat pack on the same spot for 10 minutes.
- Repeat the ice pack for another five minutes.
How Often You Should Do This
Use this remedy as and when required.
Why This Works
This is a standard treatment when it comes to treating muscular pains. The initial application of the ice pack helps to reduce the pain and swelling, and numb the area. Then, the application of heat will enhance circulation to the affected site and help to heal the inflammation further. A final application of the ice pack ensures that the muscles and joints do not get inflamed again.
3. Massage Therapy For Hip Bursitis
You Will Need
1-2 teaspoons castor oil
What You Have To Do
- Lightly warm up the oil.
- Massage the affected area with this for a few minutes.
- Leave the oil overnight.
How Often You Should Do This
Repeat this every night, before going to bed, until you get relief from the pain and swelling.
Why This Works
As the warmth of the oil soothes the pain, the oil itself helps to reduce the inflammation with it anti-inflammatory compounds.
4. Apple Cider Vinegar
You Will Need
- 1/2 cup apple cider vinegar
- 2 cups warm water
- A soft towel
What You Have To Do
- Dilute the ACV with water and dip the towel in this.
- Wring out the excess water and wrap this towel around the affected area.
- Leave it on for an hour or so.
How Often You Should Do This
Repeat this once every day.
Why This Works
This solution, rich in vitamins and minerals, is effective in reducing the swelling. It also can enhance circulation to the region and speed up the healing process.
5. Milk Of Magnesia
Editorial credit: Keith Homan / Shutterstock.com
You Will Need
- 1 teaspoon milk of magnesia
- A glass of water
What You Have To Do
Mix the milk of magnesia in water and drink this.
How Often You Should Do This
Do this twice a day for a week.
Why This Works
When the magnesium levels in the body fall, metabolic and inflammatory disorders start to crop up as this mineral plays a vital role in many of these processes. Milk of magnesia (magnesium hydroxide) exerts an anti-inflammatory effect on the affectedregion.
Caution
Do not use this remedy for more than one week.
6. Turmeric For Bursitis
You Will Need
- 1 teaspoon turmeric
- A glass of warm milk or warm water
What You Have To Do
- Add the turmeric to the milk and mix well.
- Drink this while the milk is still warm.
How Often You Should Do This
Have this turmeric infused milk 1-2 times every day.
Why This Works
Turmeric is a potent anti-inflammatory agent that reduces the hip swelling and also the pain with its curcumin content. It also contains antioxidants that can help you recover quickly from hip bursitis.
7. Blackstrap Molasses
You Will Need
- 1 tablespoon blackstrap molasses
- A glass of water
What You Have To Do
Mix the molasses in water and drink this.
How Often You Should Do This
Drink a glass of this every day.
Why This Works
Blackstrap molasses are an excellent source of magnesium and potassium. They help relieve joint pain symptoms seen in rheumatoid arthritis and bursitis.
8. Ginger
You Will Need
Few drops of ginger oil
What You Have To Do
Apply this on the affected area and massage for a minute or so, until it gets absorbed into the skin.
How Often You Should Do This
Apply this once or twice every day.
Why This Works
Ginger is commonly used to reduce both pain and inflammation at different sites of the body. Topical application of ginger oil will have a direct impact on the hip swelling. Ginger should also be included in the daily diet to keep inflammations and even infections at bay.
9. Mullein Tea
You Will Need
- 2 teaspoons mullein herb
- 2 cups of hot water
- A soft cloth
What You Have To Do
- Brew some fresh mullein tea by soaking the herbs in hot water for a few minutes.
- Now, dip the soft cloth in this and place this over the hip after removing any excess water from the cloth.
- Leave it on for 20-30 minutes.
How Often You Should Do This
Repeat this as and when required.
Why This Works
The herb mullein helps to reduce the swelling and pain as it is anti-inflammatory in nature. The warmth of the tea will also relieve the stiffness in the hip joint that you may be experiencing.
10. Alfalfa For Bursitis
You Will Need
- 1 teaspoon dried alfalfa leaves
- A cup of hot water
What You Have To Do
- Steep the alfalfa for 10-15 minutes and then strain the tea.
- Drink this.
How Often You Should Do This
Drink a cup of this herbal tea every day.
Why This Works
Drinking alfalfa tea will bring down the levels of inflammatory compounds in the body and thus give you relief from hip bursitis.
Now that you know how to get rid of hip bursitis, what are you waiting for? You can easily tackle the discomfort of hip bursitis symptoms with these remedies. If the home remedies mentioned above are followed, you can get relief from the irritation and inflammation within a few days. If you feel the remedies are not working for you and the bursitis symptoms persist, consult a specialist at the earliest.