Addressing Complaints of Hip-Joint Pain

Mary Loveless
May – Jun 2024 • Vol 4, No 10

Most runners and joggers push their bodies to the limit on a daily basis to stay healthy and trim. It’s normal for them to have aches and pains until it eventually shortens their runs or starts to affect other areas. The most common complaint is tightness and pain or a dull ache deep in the hip joint.

The IT band reaches and crosses the hip joint and it can compress the joint and diminish the space for proper movement. Muscles that can also contribute in decreasing hip joint space are: iliacus, adductor, rectus femoris, the gluteus maximus, minimus or medius, iliopsoas minor or major, and piriformis. These are the most common muscles that contribute to hip-joint pain.

With the John F. Barnes Approach to Myofascial Release, we identify which one has shortened and caused an imbalance to the joint by checking the range of motion and the area of complaint, or by palpation of tenderness.

Once identified, we provide manual therapy to the restricted area(s) and teach you how to properly self-stretch with a 4-inch therapeutic ball so you can duplicate it at home. We also teach how to feel into your body and feel the restrictions, called the “fascial voice.” You will become more self-aware and intuitive with your body. You will also grow a greater understanding of how everything is connected—from head to toe.

Restrictions are rein-forced areas caused by trauma, inflammation, or injury. The body is always replacing and repairing itself. When too much repair is required, it can become restricted, shortened and imbalanced.

It reminds me of duct tape—it can repair things but using too much can make a mess!

Mary Loveless, PTA, LMT, is an MFR Expert, Assist. Instructor, and a Montana Study Group Facilitator. Visit one of their clinics in Great Falls or Florence, MT. To find the nearest Myofascial Release Therapist, search MyofascialRelease.com.