Overcoming Hip Pain: Find Relief & Resume Your Active Lifestyle
Do you experience pain in your hips while enjoying leisurely walks, climbing stairs, or bending down? Hip pain can significantly limit your ability to perform and enjoy daily activities. Fortunately, physical therapy at Professional Care can help you find relief and get back to doing what you love.
Understanding Your Hip Joints
Your hips are ball-and-socket joints, where your femur (thigh bone) fits into your pelvis (hip socket). A cushion of cartilage in your hips helps distribute forces and allows the joint surfaces to move smoothly. Pain can occur if this cartilage wears down or is damaged due to age, injury, or overuse.
The first step in getting care for your hip pain is to determine the underlying cause of your discomfort. Our team will perform a full-body assessment to help us understand what might be going on with your hip, including identifying any contributing factors elsewhere in your body (such as core weakness or changes in movement patterns).
Here are a few of the common reasons why you might be experiencing hip pain:
Arthritis
Osteoarthritis is a common cause of hip pain, particularly in older adults. It occurs when the protective cartilage in the hip joint wears down over time, leading to pain, stiffness, and reduced range of motion.
Tears and Ruptures
The cartilage, labrum, or tendons around the hip can be injured by trauma or repetitive stress, leading to pain and instability.
Bursitis
Bursae are fluid-filled sacs that act as a cushion between the bones, tendons, and muscles along the outside of the hip. Bursitis, or inflammation of these sacs, can cause pain and tenderness in the hip.
Strains
Sudden or repetitive activities can strain or inflame the muscles and tendons around the hip joint, resulting in pain.
Addressing Hip Pain with Physical Therapy
Physical therapy, in particular, is a highly effective treatment for many common causes of hip pain. Our PTs are movement experts who will design a personalized plan to address your hip pain at its source.
Treatment techniques might include:
Pain Relief
Specialized techniques, such as manual therapy, joint mobilizations, and soft-tissue techniques, can help reduce pain, improve joint and soft tissue mobility, and make movement more comfortable.
Mobility Work
Targeted exercises to improve movement and range of motion in the hip joint.
Strengthening Exercises
Exercises to strengthen the muscles around the hip joint, providing support and stability to improve everyday movement and function.
If your hip pain is affecting your day-to-day life, you might also benefit from working with our occupational therapist, who can help you identify strategies to navigate everyday challenges, such as moving around your home or completing household chores. They can also show you how to use any mobility aids as needed.
An Example of Personalized Hip Pain Relief
A retired teacher sought help at our clinic due to persistent hip pain that had gradually worsened over the past year. The pain was most noticeable when she took her dog for a walk, though she felt it throughout the day. She had tried over-the-counter pain medication but found minimal relief.
During her evaluation, our physical therapists determined she had hip osteoarthritis, a common condition associated with aging and gradual wear within the joint over time.
Our PTs created a tailored treatment plan for her that focused on pain management, improving hip mobility, and strengthening the supporting muscles. Targeted manual therapy techniques were utilized to reduce pain and stiffness, while prescribed exercises aimed to increase her range of motion and improve overall hip function. We also provided her with education on proper body mechanics and strategies for managing daily activities.
After attending every physical therapy session and following her home exercise program, she experienced significant improvement in her hip pain and mobility. She was able to resume her daily walks with her dog, enjoy gardening without discomfort, and sleep soundly through the night.
Book an Appointment with Our Team Today!
At Professional Care, we will perform a comprehensive health assessment and analyze your hip pain and condition. Then, we’ll design a personalized program to help you recover with strength and confidence.
Don’t let hip pain hold you back. Call us today to schedule your first appointment!
Let’s Get You Better ASAP!
A Collaborative Approach to Better Outcomes
We recently had the pleasure of hosting Dr. Ryan Krochak, Orthopedic Surgeon and Sports Medicine Physician with Orlin & Cohen, and Dr. Lewis Lupowitz, PT, DPT, SCS, CSCS of Longevity PT & Performance at our Islip location.
Together, they delivered a highly informative presentation on the benefits of MACI (Matrix Applied Autologous Cultured Chondrocytes), knee cartilage repair — an innovative treatment option that is transforming outcomes for patients with cartilage damage. The only FDA-approved procedure of its kind, MACI regenerates knee cartilage using the patient’s own cells.
Dr. Krochak was the first surgeon in New York State to perform MACI and has completed more MACI procedures than any other physician on Long Island.
MACI offers patients:
• Faster recovery with a smaller incision and shorter procedure
• Reduced pain and improved function when compared to the marrow stimulation (microfracture) technique
• Improved quality of life with higher satisfaction and improved ability to return to activities
Thank you to both experts for sharing their knowledge and helping elevate patient care.
No Referral? No Problem!
Did you know we can see you for Occupational &
Physical Therapy with or without a referral from a doctor?
Call us today for more information!
A New Role for Professional Care’s Anthony Jacabacci!
Anthony Jacabacci, PT, DPT has officially stepped into a new role as a Doctor of Physical Therapy at Professional Care, a well‑earned accomplishment after five years of dedicated service as a physical therapy aide. During his time with Professional Care, Anthony developed a deep understanding of exercise mechanics, patient interaction, and the day‑to‑day operations of an outpatient rehabilitation setting. His commitment to learning, his professionalism, and his genuine care for patients have made him an invaluable part of our team, and we are excited to see him continue to grow and contribute in this new capacity.
Anthony grew up in Brookhaven, where he attended Bellport High School before continuing his academic and athletic career at Stony Brook University, where he played Division 1 Baseball as a pitcher while earning his Bachelor’s degree in Health Science.
Anthony went on to complete his Doctor of Physical Therapy degree at Stony Brook University, where he received the clinical excellence award given to students who consistently demonstrate exceptional clinical performance, professionalism, and compassion. He gained experience through four diverse clinical rotations. Three of which focused heavily on outpatient orthopedics and sports rehabilitation, helping him build a strong clinical foundation in treating athletes and orthopedic conditions.
During his clinical affiliation at Long Island Sports and Rehabilitation, Anthony developed advanced therapeutic exercise programming skills and gained experience utilizing blood flow restriction (BFR) training and isokinetic exercise equipment. He later completed a rotation at Performax Physical Therapy and Wellness, where he refined his manual therapy skills while working with athletes and expanded his knowledge of manual treatment techniques such as kinesiology taping and the use of Graston tools.
Anthony also trained at St. Charles Outpatient Physical Therapy under the clinic’s lead sports therapist, who completed a fellowship with the Cleveland Guardians organization. There, Anthony worked extensively with baseball athletes and further specialized in the evaluation and treatment of upper extremity injuries related to overhead sports performance.
In addition to his orthopedic experiences, Anthony completed an acute care clinical rotation at Stony Brook University Hospital, broadening his understanding of patient care across multiple settings.
Outside of Physical Therapy, Anthony enjoys following sports, especially cheering for the New York Mets and Miami Dolphins. He also enjoys golfing, working out, and spending time with friends and family.
Anthony plans to continue advancing his professional development by obtaining his Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) certification, as well as earning both his Orthopedic Clinical Specialist (OCS) and Sports Clinical Specialist (SCS) certifications in the near future.
Prehab and Rehab for Hip Surgery Success
Did you know that physical therapy is an important aspect of the preparation for and recovery from hip replacement surgery? Prehabilitation, or “prehab,” focuses on strengthening the muscles around the hip joint and improving mobility to help set you up for a faster, smoother recovery. Rehabilitation helps you restore strength and function after the procedure.
Prehabilitation
Prehab exercises may include:
- Targeted stretching and range-of-motion exercises
- Strengthening exercises
- Gait training and balance activities
Our physical therapists might also show you how to use assistive devices such as walkers or crutches and practice post-surgery movements, such as getting in and out of bed or a chair. That way, you’ll be better prepared once your surgery is complete.
Rehabilitation
Rehab begins almost immediately after surgery, with exercises becoming more challenging as the patient heals.
- Early mobilization helps reduce the risk of postoperative complications and supports recovery.
- Prescribed exercises help manage pain and gradually restore mobility and strength throughout your lower body.
- Functional training helps you return to your day-to-day activities.
The duration and intensity of both prehab and rehab vary depending on individual factors such as age, overall health, and the specific surgical approach. However, both are integral components of a successful hip replacement recovery plan and may contribute to improved function, reduced pain, and a faster return to normal activities.
Prepare and Recover From Hip Surgery with Professional Care
If you’re planning for hip surgery or contemplating it down the road, contact us today to learn how our prehab and rehab programs can set you up for success. We’ll answer any questions you have and talk about what to expect at every stage. Call today!
Healthy Recipe of the Month:
Lemon Basil Chicken & Veggie Toss
INGREDIENTS
- 1 lb chicken breasts
- 2 ears fresh corn (kernels removed) & 1 medium diced zucchini
- 1 cup halved cherry tomatoes & ¼ cup sliced fresh basil
- 3 tbsp olive oil, juice of 1 lemon, salt, and pepper
INSTRUCTIONS
Season the chicken with salt, pepper, and 1 tbsp of olive oil. Pan-sear or grill over medium-high heat for 5-6 minutes per side until cooked through (165°F). Let rest, then slice. In a skillet, sauté the corn and zucchini with the remaining 2 tbsp of olive oil for 3-4 minutes until just tender. Remove the veggies from the heat and stir in the cherry tomatoes, fresh basil, and lemon juice. Season to taste and serve topped with the sliced chicken.