What Supplement Is Best for Hip Pain?

Hip pain is a common musculoskeletal health complaint that may affect people of all ages. Hip pain, states FamilyDoctor.org, may be caused by numerous problems, including bruised hips, a hip fracture, arthritis, bursitis or a slipped capital femoral epiphysis 1. Damage to any structure that helps compose your hip joint may cause hip pain, or hip pain may be caused by referred pain from elsewhere in your body. Many dietary supplements may help treat your hip pain. Before using supplements, however, discuss their safety and efficacy with your physician.

Hip Pain

The location of your hip pain is often helpful in determining the structures causing your pain. MayoClinic.com states that pain on the inside aspect of your hip or your groin may be caused by problems within your hip joint proper, while hip pain that develops on the outside aspect of your hip, upper thigh or buttock may be caused by problems in your muscles, ligaments, tendons and other connective tissues that help stabilize your hip joint.cause:

• MayoClinic.com states that pain on the inside aspect of your hip or your groin may be caused by problems within your hip joint proper
  
• while hip pain that develops on the outside aspect of your hip
  
• upper thigh or buttock may be caused by problems in your muscles
  
• ligaments
  
• tendons
  
• other connective tissues that help stabilize your hip joint

Commonly Used Supplements

Certain dietary supplements are commonly used in treating musculoskeletal pain, including hip pain. In her book "Prescription for Nutritional Healing," nutrition researcher Phyllis A. Balch notes that both herbal and non-herbal supplements may be used for musculoskeletal injuries and pain 2. Not all supplements used in treating hip pain have been tested using current scientific research methods.

Supplement in Focus

Boswellia may be one of the best, or most effective, dietary supplements in treating hip pain. Boswellia, reports the University of Michigan Health System, has historically been used in treating several conditions that commonly affect your hip, including bursitis and osteoarthritis 3. Boswellia, which possesses powerful anti-inflammatory action, is also used in treating fibromyalgia and myositis, or muscle inflammation and pain. Boswellia is a type of tree that produces a fragrant resin. The resin contains numerous medicinal ingredients and is used in herbal supplements and preparations. Talk to your doctor before using herbal remedies to treat any medical condition.

Warning

Hip pain can be annoying, and it can limit your ability to perform your activities of daily living. In some cases, hip pain may indicate a serious underlying pathology. If you develop hip pain and other hip-related symptoms, report to your family physician or a musculoskeletal specialist to be properly evaluated. A licensed health care provider can counsel you on your treatment options and suggest dietary supplements that are both safe and efficacious.