According to Dr. Andrew Block, it has been estimated that almost two-thirds of individuals with chronic pain suffer from a sleep disorder. While most types of hip pain are not serious, hip pain can be uncomfortable and lead to sleepless nights which present their own health risks.
Take an over the counter pain medication that is also a sleep aid. For example, Advil PM and Tylenol PM are designed to reduce pain while you sleep. Additionally, hypnotics (i.e. Halcion, Restoril, Ambien, Lunesta) are a class of medications designed to promote sleep. However, these are available only by prescription.
Prior to going to bed, engage in sleep inducing activities. Many activities are known to alleviate pain and prepare your body for sleep, according to Dr. Andrew Block, Director of the Division of Behavioral Medicine at the Texas Back Institute. For example, taking a warm bath in the evening, stretching 3 to 5 minutes before going to bed, and drinking a warm beverage about 1 hour before bed (such as warm milk).
Create a comfortable sleep environment. In order to increase your chances of getting a good nights sleep, it is important to create an optimal sleeping environment. This can include investing in a high quality mattress that is both comfortable and supportive of the painful areas. Additionally, appropriate levels of light should be used. Black curtains and draping something over any electronic device can help reduce the light in your bedroom.
Select your sleeping position. According to the National Institutes of Health, if you are experiencing hip pain, you should sleep on your non-painful side with a pillow between your legs.
Consider a hip injection. If your pain persists, you may consider getting a hip injection. Hip injections involve reducing the inflammation that is causing the pain by injecting a corticosteroid directly into the hip joint. A non-corticosteroid medication is sometimes used as an alternative and can lubricate the joint. Note that hip injections must be repeated over a period of time.
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Writer Bio
Thomas King is a graduate of the University of Pittsburgh School of Law where he served as managing editor of the "Pittsburgh Journal of Environmental and Public Health Law." He currently lives in Aberdeen, Washington where he writes and practices law.