The following hip flexor strengthening exercises are designed to improve strength of the hip flexor muscles (Iliopsoas). You should discuss the suitability of these exercises with your physiotherapist prior to beginning them. Generally, they should only be performed provided they do not cause or increase pain.
Begin with the basic hip flexor strengthening exercises. Once these are too easy, they can be replaced with the intermediate hip flexor strengthening exercises. As your strength improves, the advanced exercises can be added to the intermediate program.
Hip Flexor Strengthening – Basic Exercises
To begin with, the following basic hip flexor strengthening exercises should be performed approximately 10 times, 3 times daily. As your strength improves, the exercises can be progressed by gradually increasing the repetitions or frequency of the exercises provided they do not cause or increase pain.
Hip Flexion
Slowly bend and straighten your knee as far as possible pain free, sliding your heel up and down the bed or floor (figure 2). Repeat 10 times provided there is no increase in symptoms.