The Hips and Pelvis
The hips and pelvis are a complex system of bones, joints, nerves, tendons, fascia, and muscles. Together, they weave a structural basin strong enough to bear the weight of your internal organs, flexible enough to allow the wide range of motion required by the spine and legs, and open enough to accommodate vital nerve signals, blood flow, and movement of other subtle channels. Because so many structures intersect and cross over the pelvis, affecting the integrity of the hip joint (directly or indirectly), pinpointing the precise root of hip pain can be quite difficult.
While it is not in a massage therapist’s scope to diagnose medical hip conditions, massage therapy can still play a powerful role in symptom relief, with or without diagnosis. That’s because most hip issues fall into a few broad categories- all of which may experience functional improvement and symptom relief with smart, targeted bodywork. That said, a proper diagnosis will provide a practical basis for a multi-pronged approach incorporating massage, physiotherapy, and escalated medical interventions where necessary.
An effective approach to supporting the health of the joint will include two things: stabilization and mobilization.
Stability and Mobility.
Stabilization
A joint is stable when the surrounding muscles have balanced tone. For fitness enthusiasts, the word “tone” can be misleading. In this context, we’re not using the term tone to refer to body sculpting; rather, in the anatomical sense. Tone is tension or contraction in a muscle at rest.
Think of it like a game of tug-of-war:
- The Flag: Represents your joint.
- The Teams: Represent the opposing muscles on either side of that joint.
In a balanced joint, both teams pull with equal force. The rope lifts from the ground, is pulled taut, and the flag rests perfectly at center. However, if one team pulls harder than the other, the flag shifts out of alignment.
In a healthy joint, these teams work reciprocally. When one muscle contracts to move the joint, the opposing muscle gracefully “gives more rope” to allow the movement, then gently pulls back to return the joint to a neutral, safe position. In a dysfunctional joint, the two teams are truly at war, fighting over the rope and exhausting one another.
Massage therapy to manually balance muscle tone, in tandem with exercises to strengthen weak muscles and relax tense muscles, is an indispensable way to effectuate joint stabilization.
Mobilization
Joint cartilage doesn’t have its own direct blood supply; instead, it relies on nutrients from the fluids that circulate when the joint moves. Movement stimulates lubrication in the joint, and lubrication facilitates ease of movement. When this feedback loop is interrupted through injury, lack of movement, disease, or genetic disposition, friction within the joint can increase—damaging joint structures and restricting its full range of motion.
Some forms of restriction are easier to bounce back from than others. For chronic conditions or severe injuries, a joint may be structurally compromised in a way that cannot easily be stretched or exercised back into balance. In these instances, the goal is to prevent further injury and retain the fullest range of motion possible. By gently moving the joint through its available range of motion and stimulating fluids, massage therapy can help preserve or improve a joint’s range of motion.
Massage isn’t a magic bullet for every hip condition, and diagnosing them is best left to medical professionals. However, by providing symptom relief and expediting healing, a skilled massage therapist can tailor a session to your specific needs—making it an invaluable part of your wellness journey.
Leg Rotations for Hydrating the Hip Joint
Stay posted for more-to-come tips and tricks on how to support your hips through massage and exercise.
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