18 January 2016
 Categories: , Blog

If you have arthritis in your hips, sitting down in a chair can be difficult and painful for you, especially if you don't have the right cushion for your bottom. The pressure placed on your hips can make your arthritis feel worse if the muscles in your buttocks become pinched or sore from sitting on the wrong cushion. To find relief for your pain, use a wedge cushion. A wedge cushion supports your buttocks and hip bones when you sit down. Here's a unique feature to look for in a wedge cushion and tips to help alleviate your hip pain.

Use a Wedge Cushion With an Indented Surface

Although you have arthritis in your hips, the muscles in your buttocks can trigger pain in your hips if they become sore and irritated from sitting. In addition, many of the nerves in your buttocks run travel through or lead to the nerves in your hips. If you pinch the nerves in your buttocks, you can also suppress the nerves in your hips. 

The buttocks also contain a large muscle called the piriformis muscle. This muscle connects the middle of your buttocks to the top sides of your hip joints. If you weaken, overstretch or damage the muscle in some way, it can trigger pain in your hips. You may even develop a condition called piriformis syndrome if you don't protect the muscle or hips with the right cushion.

A wedge with an indented surface that allows your buttocks to sit comfortably inside them may alleviate pressure on the piriformis muscle and your hip joints. The indented surface also come with low edges you can use to keep pressure from your buttocks when you sit down.

It's a good idea that you speak to a handicapped equipment and supply company to find the right wedge cushion for your needs. Until you receive your cushion, massage away some of the inflammation in your hips and buttocks with coconut oil.

Massage Your Hips and Buttocks With Coconut Oil

Coconut oil is a smooth textured oil that helps alleviate inflammation in the body, including your skin. The oil absorbs quickly, which means that you can use at night or during the day. The best time to apply the oil is when you take a shower or bathe. The water will help your skin absorb the oil.

Here's what you do:

1. Turn your shower water to a warm setting, then allow the water to dampen your skin.
2. Place one 1/2 spoonful of solid coconut oil in the palm of your hand, then gently rub the oil into the skin over your hips and buttocks. 
3. Allow the oil to penetrate your skin for 5 minutes, then rinse it off with the warm water.
4. Pat dry your skin with a soft towel.

The oil will hydrate and soothe your skin overnight or throughout the day.

For more tips or information about alleviating your hip pain, contact a supplier, like Alaska Mobility, today.