Photo source: https://images.app.goo.gl/NomRPb7XKsvohSRu6
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I am testing out a new method of providing a TLDR for a post by making its own meme for it (see image below). If you like or dislike this, let me know!
I’ve learned a lot about the human body from dealing with my stubborn hip. I thought I would share what I learned! The human body is a really interesting place!
Emphasis on quotation marks, because medically speaking, my hip is NOT actually STUCK. If that were the case, I’d be unable to move at all, and would be in an ambulance.
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My situation isn’t a bone, but a muscle problem. Your muscles and nerves are the things that make your body move. If something goes wrong with them, you’re able to move less.
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My hip muscles have been acting up since forever ago. When the muscles act up, you lose your “range of motion” (how far you can move said body part), which is why it is “stuck.”
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I am glad my hip bone is not ACTUALLY stuck, which would hurt like 10 different types of hell. But this does not take away from the fact that every time I walk anywhere right now, I feel like I’m being stabbed in my inner thigh.
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I was in physical therapy for it, but then I moved, and need to find a new one. Thus, for the moment, I am just dealing with my own bones stabbing me. Lol. It could be worse, though. The bone could actually be stuck. That sounds like a terrible affliction that I feel so fortunate to have never endured.
Good question!
When you flex a muscle, you are making a conscientious effort to hold that muscle in place. It feels like a rock when you touch it. Sometimes muscles tense up like this on their own, and they don’t let go without help.
Flex your arm, and then gently try to wriggle your fingers. You might notice you have a *tiny* bit of resistance, because your arm muscles are firmly held in place. The fingers aren’t “stuck” in one spot, they’re just not able to move as freely as they normally do.
These are not even close to all of the muscles in your hip and leg. These are just the deep muscles. Each muscle plays a role in how your hip and thighs move – whether it’s a high kick, moving your leg to the side, bouncing your hips (like in a jazz dance) and much more.
If these muscles tense up, you can’t move your body like you normally would be able to. That makes it sort of “stuck.” Think of it like a rusty car door. You can still USE the door, but it takes a lot of effort to open and close it.
Source of the muscle images: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/visual-anatomy/id519530925
Unfortunately, this one did not come with a further explanation into how it works. But I still feel like I’m being stabbed in that area.
Source: https://youtu.be/dVRHOu0Yz9k
There are a few methods of doing this, to my understanding.
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My old physical therapist would sort of guide my hip along the range of motion it *should* have, and then gently tug on my leg. Sometimes she had to do this twice, but it worked.
My physical therapist said that tugging on your leg is one of those last resort things, because you are tugging on a leg that already has issues with range of motion. If you don’t know what you’re doing and you tug too hard, you can make your problem WORSE.
While I am in discomfort, I’m still quite fascinated with what I have learned about my hip along the way!