The hip joint is the largest joint in the body, and with it comes a tremendous amount of potential for pain. The joint has numerous connections of cartilage and ligaments that hold it together and allow it to move. The gluteus muscles, IT band, psoas, and hamstrings all influence the health and movement of the hip.
When the hip joint moves out of alignment, the entire body compensates for the loss. This compensation creates issues causing tightness and stiffness at best and tendonitis and ligament sprains at worst.
If you are experiencing hip pain, it is essential to find a qualified chiropractor. They can help you find the root of your problem and relieve the pain.
How We Treat Hip Pain
Comprehensive Consultation and Exam
A consultation and exam are an integral part of your care plan. The consultation consists of an in-depth discussion and review of your medical history. Pain patterns and how the symptoms affect your activities will also get addressed.
Discussion points will also include long-term goals, benefits of conservative care, and options pertaining to surgery if they do arise.
Digital X-rays
Digital X-rays get used to create a record of your unique anatomy. These images are beneficial not only to you but also to us since they ensure the treatment is safe and effective. Additionally, a digital x-ray allows for a greater understanding of any conditions that are present or that may be present in the future.
Massage Therapy and/or Soft Tissue Work
Many doctors focus entirely on treating back and neck pain but neglect to practice corrective care for the muscles in the rest of your body. Correcting soft tissue damage is one of the core components of our treatment. Soft tissue work prepares your tissues for chiropractic adjustments and therapeutic exercises.
Custom Therapeutic Exercise Plan
Our patient’s progress depends on their commitment to the exercise program we design. A custom exercise plan allows us to be as aggressive as necessary with your care so that you can get back to living your life.
Additionally, we use customized exercises to suit your individual needs. It can include stretching and strengthening, balance training, and various other methods to improve your mobility.
Deep Tissue Laser Therapy
This non-surgical procedure can help to decrease pain and inflammation in your body. The laser stimulates blood flow, which helps in the healing process. This treatment is also helpful for pain management concerning chronic inflammation.
Acupuncture
Acupuncture is an age-old practice. It involves using very fine needles to stimulate specific points on the body to bring about balance and well-being. It is a viable treatment option for chronic pain and has shown favorable results in improving overall health.
Common Causes of Hip Pain
Bursitis
This condition gets characterized by inflammation and pain at the hip and thigh junctions. Bursitis is caused by trauma to the ligaments in that area. If these ligaments are inflamed, the hip joint is more likely to feel stiff or sore, especially when you move.
Arthritis
This condition results from inflammation of the joints, which happens when the cartilage that should be present to cushion the bones get worn down. As the cartilage wears down, the hip bones start to rub against each other, causing hip pain. Unfortunately, cartilage does not repair itself, so symptoms will only worsen over time if left untreated.
Tendinitis
Tendinitis is a condition that affects the tissues that connect muscle to bone. At the hip, the main tendons affected are the IT band. This tendon runs down the outside of your thigh and links to your pelvis and lower back. If affected, it can hurt to move your hip, especially while doing things that involve the thighs.
Muscle or Tendon Strain
Tendon Strain occurs when you exert too much pressure on your hip. It mainly arises from overuse, mostly from activities involving a lot of movements and forward momentum, like swimming or cycling.
Hip Labral Tear
A hip labral tear is a severe injury that occurs when the labrum, a piece of cartilage on the end of your femur, gets torn. The labrum acts as a shock absorber to help cushion the blow or stress put on your hip and drive it back into place. If it tears, moving your hip in certain directions will be painful.
Avascular Necrosis
In avascular necrosis, the blood supply to the hip gets disrupted. This disruption can happen for various reasons, including an injury or general inflammation of the area. Without the blood supply to cushion the bone, the bone can eventually die, causing hip pain and a lack of mobility.
Sciatica
This condition happens when the sciatic nerve, which runs down the back of your thigh and lower legs, gets irritated. When this happens, the nerve can send pain signals to your brain, making that area feel stiff and painful. Sciatica is a big problem for your hip, as that nerve runs through the hip joint.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the Signs and Symptoms of a Hip Flexor Strain?
Some of the main signs and symptoms of a hip flexor strain are lower back pain that moves down your legs. This pain is specific to your hip flexor and worsens when you bend forward or lift something.
Besides that, you may experience the following:
- Difficulty walking or running.
- A grinding sensation in your hip joint.
- Mild pain in your groin.
- Mild hip pain when you flex your hip joint strongly.
- Swelling in the affected area.
What can a Chiropractor do for Hip Osteoarthritis?
We have additional training in the musculoskeletal system and biomechanics, allowing us to perform a wide range of treatment options. We treat hip osteoarthritis by using non-pharmaceutical, non-invasive treatments.
We may use massage to improve circulation and speed healing. Alternatively, we may provide gentle adjustments or therapeutic exercises to address the underlying biomechanics causing your pain. This option takes slightly longer to improve symptoms, but we find it more effective in the long run.
How can I realign my hips at home?
There are numerous ways to realign your hips at home. Some of the main ones include:
- Modified Hip Thrusts – It is a powerful exercise that utilizes your trunk muscles to strengthen your core, elevating your hips. It also helps to get blood to the area and stimulates circulation.
- Active Isometrics – It is a safe and simple method of activating the reciprocal inhibition at the hip, which can decrease pain and increase mobility. It means that while holding a certain position, you will push through the muscle of your hip with controlled intensity, followed by a quick relaxation phase.
- Active Release Technique – This therapeutic massage helps break up scar tissue and adhesions. It also breaks up knots in your muscles and tendons that can cause acute hip pain and decrease your overall flexibility.
- Passive Isometrics – To perform this stretch, lean against a wall or couch and place your knees on the ground. Hold this position for 30 seconds, and then relax. Repeat eight times.
- Foam Rolling – Foam rolling is a general technique used for self-massage, which can work out any kinks in the affected area and improve pain relief by draining lactic acid from the muscles.
Should I go to a Chiropractor for Hip Pain?
Here are some of the main reasons you should schedule an appointment for your hip pain:
- More Accurate Diagnosis – Hip pain can result from several different conditions, each with a different treatment method. If you go to a Chiropractic care professional, they will be able to look at the entire picture and give you a proper diagnosis and treatment plan.
- More Effective Treatments – Chiropractic care professionals have a well-rounded education in both medicine and chiropractic care. They can give you more effective treatment options. Additionally, we are backed by scientific research and have the latest treatment options.
- Minimized Side Effects – A properly trained Chiropractor will give safe treatments that maximize your benefit and minimize your risk of side effects.
Why do My Hips Ache after Sleeping?
Posture changes during sleep can affect the mobility of your hips. Simply adjusting your sleeping position may solve this problem. There are a few options:
- Sleeping on Your Side – Sleeping on your side, as opposed to your back, can cause some strain on the muscles in your lower back and hips. Try flipping to that side in bed and see if this alleviates the pain after sleeping.
- Using a Body Pillow – A larger body pillow will support your neck and provide more space for your hips.
- Using a Cushion – If you are experiencing pain after sleeping, try placing a cushion under your knees. It will provide more support for your lower back and improve blood circulation.
- Changing Your Mattress – The thickness of your mattress is essential as it helps determine the amount of support your body receives. A firmer mattress helps alleviate lower back and hip pain after sleeping.
What is the Fastest Way to Relieve Hip Pain?
There are several ways to relieve hip pain, and they all have different levels of effectiveness and convenience.
- Apply Heat – Heat can help relax the muscles in your hips and lower back, which may relieve pain. You can use a synthetic heat pack or a towel soaked in warm water. However, you should only use heat for about 15 minutes, as it can dry out the skin if you leave it on for too long.
- Exercise – Exercising will help strengthen your core, provide good overall health, and relieve hip pain. Try doing squats, lunges, leg lifts, and other core-strengthening exercises.
- Use a Massage Ball – A massage ball is an easy tool that you can use to massage yourself. It’s not nearly as effective as a professional massage, but it may help loosen tight muscles.
- Meditate – Meditation has been shown to increase relaxation, as well as help relieve pain in the body. Try meditating for a few minutes when you feel pain, and see how it helps.
How do I loosen My Hip Flexors?
The hip flexors help to lift your hips while standing, walking, and running, as well as stabilize your lower back. When they contract too much, it can affect your hip mobility, cause pain and result in a poor posture. The following exercises can help to loosen them up:
- Deadlifts – Hold this position with your knees slightly bent and your toes pointed to the sides. Keep your knees in line with your toes, and push your butt back. Keep your chest lifted, and maintain a neutral spine as you go through the exercise. Repeat this at least three times.
- Wall Squats – Stand with your back against a wall with your feet slightly more than shoulder-width apart. Lower yourself while keeping a good posture so the knees come in line with the toes.
- Leg Raises – Leg raises can help strengthen your thigh muscles and increase hip flexors’ mobility.
- Shrimping – Start to lie on your stomach with your legs straight. Initiate it slowly by contracting your glutes and lower back muscles. Maintain this position and slowly lift your hips off the ground while pulling your legs down towards the floor.
- Leg Swings – Use a bench or other stationary object to hold on to for support. Stand with your feet about shoulder-width apart and bend your knees. Once you reach the desired point, swing your legs back and forth in front of you as you maintain good posture and control.
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