Our hips have multiple functions for the healthy functioning of our body: they keep us standing, support our weight, allow us to walk, run and play. Since our hips are involved in almost all of our movements, the slightest pain in this area can have devastating effects on our health. Frequently, pain may be a sign of osteoarthritis or injury; hip problem can also be a sign of other health problems. Your doctor in chiropractic can evaluate the source of your hip pain and so prescribe and administer a treatment for your symptoms.
InflammationThe components of your hips or the surrounding tissue can be the cause of your pain. There is very little space in the joint itself for the femoral head (ball and socket joint of the leg that articulates with your pelvis). If an injury triggers inflammation, this space can be quickly filled with blood and fluid, causing pain. The inflammation of the fluid filled sac, external to the hip, called: bursa, may also be the cause of the pain. Bursitis usually results from trauma or excessive use of the hip.
In adults, osteoarthritis is the most common cause of hip pain. Osteoarthritis involves a gradual loss of the cartilage (the ‘Teflon’ layer that covers a joint) and the integrity of the joint. Although this degenerative disease does not have a possible cure, there are ways to slow it down and prevent the symptoms from getting worse. Other inflammatory diseases can also affect the hips such as rheumatoid arthritis. Your chiropractor may, upon review, advise you on how to best help your problem.
Overly stressful activities can cause inflammation to the muscles, tendons and ligaments around your hips causing premature wear and major damage.
Fractures or dislocations of the hip or pelvis are easier to diagnose since trauma will be present and X-rays will detect the problem. As a result, they are easier to detect than overuse injuries.
In older patients, a combination of aging, bone fragility and unsteady balance makes falls more likely to cause fractures.
Even if fractures are absent, ligaments and muscles in the area can be torn, crushed or bruised, causing pain often intolerable.
Often, a pain described as coming from the hip may actually come from another part of the body. The sacro-iliac joint (lower back) is one of the main culprits of pain referred to the hips and sciatica often results.
After a thorough examination and assessment of your medical history, the chiropractic doctor can determine the cause and source of your hip pain. A specific treatment will then be prescribed. It may include chiropractic adjustments, exercises, postural counseling, stretching or referral to another health professional.
Treatments will be aimed at reducing inflammation, relieving the existing muscle spasms, strengthening weak muscles, improving the mobility of the joints and especially eliminate all pains.
Sources:
1. Wedro Benjamin.“Hip pain:Causes Symptoms Treatment information and Diagnosis eMedicineHealth.” http://www.emedicinehealth.com/hip_pain/article_em.htm. 2. McMorland G, Suter E, Casha S, du Plessis SJ, Hurlbert RJ. Manipulation or microdiskectomy for sciatica? A prospective randomized clinical study. Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics. 2010; 33(8): 576-584. 3. Chapman C, Bakkum BW. Chiropractic management of a US Army veteran with low back pain and piriformis syndrome complicated by an anatomical anomaly of the piriformis muscle: a case study. Journal of Chiropractic Medicine 2012; 11(1): 24-9. 4. Kamali, Fahimeh and Esmaeil Shokri. The effect of two manipulative therapy techniques and their outcome in patients with sacroiliac joint syndrome. Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapies. 2012; 16: 29-35. 5. Brantingham JW, Globe GA, Cassa TK, et al. A single-group pretest posttest design using full kinetic chain manipulative therapy with rehabilitation in the treatment of 18 patients with hip osteoarthritis. Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapy 2012; 33(6): 445-57.
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