Hip Pain and Chiropractic care

Hip Pain

We tend to neglect our hips even though they do so much for us! Generally, we don’t think twice about our hips until they start to give us pain. The hip is a very functional joint that allows us to walk, run, jump, stand, sit, and perform many other tasks. Therefore, when our hip becomes bothersome the pain can alter our daily activities.

What Can Cause Hip Pain?

There are many reasons as to why the hip can become painful. A few includes:

• Inflammation/Bursitis
• Pinch Nerve
• Arthritis
  • Osteoarthritis
  • Rheumatoid Arthritis
• Overuse
• Trauma
• Overweight/Obese

First, let’s take a look at the hip itself and better under the structures. The hip is a “ball and socket” joint, which gives us all the range of motion we have! The thigh bone (femur) insert into the pelvis. There are approximately 17 muscles that attach onto the hip joint, including the glutes, hip flexors, adductors, and rotators. In addition, two major fluid-filled sacs (bursa) surround the hip. There is also a labrum inside the socket that prevents the ball of the hip from rubbing bone on bone. Many nerves that come from the low back run through the buttocks and hip region to supply the lower leg with innervation.

Let’s dive a little deeper into some of the causes of hip pain!

Inflammation

At times, the fluid-filled sac called a bursa can become irritated and inflamed which causes pain. The bursa can be irritated due to trauma such as falling or laying on your side for a long period of time. It can also be due to overuse such as running. Usually, with bursitis the pain is present directly over the outside of the hip, especially when pressure is applied.

Pinched Nerve

Sciatica is a household known medical term. The sciatic nerve comes from the low back and extends down through the buttocks and the back of the leg. A common cause of sciatic pain is when a muscle called the piriformis pinches directly on the nerve. The piriformis muscle runs from the side of the tailbone to the hip itself.

Arthritis

There are many different forms of arthritis can affect the hip.  The most common form of arthritis in the hip is called osteoarthritis which simply means “wear and tear”. Although there is no cure for arthritis, we can help!

Treatment

At Miller Sports & Family Chiropractic, we are able to help and reduce that hip pain. First, Dr. Miller and Dr. Murdock will do a thorough assessment to determine the cause of the present hip pain. Within the office, there are several treatment options to help reduce or alleviate the pain!

• Chiropractic adjustments and soft tissue mobilization – whether the pain is caused by tight musculature, arthritis, inflammation, or any other cause, chiropractic adjustments of the low back, pelvis, and hip can help restore normal function and movement
• Laser therapy – encouraging healing and cellular level changes on tendons and ligaments reducing inflammation and improving range of motion
• Home stretches and exercises – stretching tight musculature and encouraging normal motion

Please contact us to help you get started with reducing your hip pain.