Hip pain affects nearly 10% of the population and can make even the simplest activities like sitting, standing, or walking very difficult. The most typical causes of hip pain include arthritis, sprains, strains, fractures, bursitis, or other injuries to the knee.
However, hip pain can sometimes arise due to health conditions unrelated to the hip itself, such as back issues, knee problems, or even hernia and cancer. Diagnosing the underlying cause of hip pain is crucial, as effective management depends on correctly identifying whether the origin is orthopedic—like arthritis, sprains, or fractures—or non-orthopedic, as in cases of referred pain from other body regions.
Chiropractic care offers a comprehensive approach that involves identifying the root cause of the pain, tailoring a treatment plan through chiropractic techniques, and providing relevant nutritional and lifestyle advice. Some chiropractic techniques include spinal and hip manipulation and hip mobilization to relieve pain. The benefits of chiropractic treatment extend beyond symptom relief; chiropractic care is also low-risk, long-term, and can enhance hip function, strength, and flexibility.
This article will consider the causes of hip pain, how chiropractic treatment of hip pain is achieved, and the benefits of chiropractic care for hip pain.
What Are the Causes of Hip Pain?
Hip pain is mainly caused by neuromusculoskeletal system problems, like arthritis, fractures, sprains, strains, or sciatica. Health conditions like cancer and hernia can also manifest as hip pain despite not specifically affecting any muscle or skeletal group.
There are several potential causes of hip pain, which can be grouped into two major classes – orthopedic and non-orthopedic. Orthopedic hip pain is caused by problems with the musculoskeletal system, which encompasses the body’s muscles and skeleton (including bones, ligaments, tendons, and cartilage). On the other hand, non-orthopedic hip pain is caused by problems outside of the musculoskeletal system, like cancer, skin conditions, and hernia.
The most common causes, however, are orthopedic in nature. Arthritis is one of the primary causes among orthopedic causes. Arthritis is a condition that involves damage and inflammation (either acute or chronic) in the joint. There are different types of arthritis, but osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and septic arthritis are the ones most implicated in hip pain.
Osteoarthritis is the most common cause of the two, and its risk factors are increasing age, obesity, and joint injury. Rheumatoid arthritis has more of a genetic component, and it occurs due to an autoimmune disorder (a condition where the immune system starts attacking the body’s own cells). Septic arthritis is different from the other two in that its origin is linked to infections, usually bacterial, but may also be fungal.
Other possible causes include:
- Hip fractures: Breaking of the hip bone
- Tendinitis: Inflammation of the tendons, which are the bands that attach muscles to bones
- Sciatica: Injury to the sciatic nerve, which runs through the buttocks and hips
- Sprain or strain: Injury to the ligament or tendon of the hip
- Labral tear: Tearing of the hip cartilage, with cartilage normally serving as a cushion of joints
- Bursitis: Inflammation of the bursa (a small cushion space between bones and other tissues)
Chiropractic Hip Pain Treatment
Chiropractic hip pain treatment starts with finding the condition’s root cause, diagnosing the pain, and then drafting a treatment plan. The treatment plan typically involves different manipulation, mobilization chiropractic techniques, and nutritional therapy.
Chiropractic is a branch of functional medicine that focuses on the relationship between the central nervous system and the rest of the body. Chiropractors use this relationship to manage different health conditions. The body actually heals itself in chiropractic, with chiropractors only trying to restore the right balance in the spinal cord and body that serves as a foundation for healing. Chiropractic can help manage hip pain, and we will consider how it does this below.
Finding the Root Cause
The root cause of a condition is the underlying process, system, or factor that leads to that condition. One of the main principles of functional medicine is finding the root cause of a condition before commencing treatment. Chiropractic is a branch of functional medicine, implying that it relies on the principles of functional medicine too. Doing this ensures that holistic and total healing is possible.
Hip pain in most adults is caused by degenerative osteoarthritis and fractures. The most typical causes in younger individuals are strains, sprains, and bursitis. Chiropractors employ different diagnostic tools to know the exact cause of the problem.
Diagnosing Hip Pain
Chiropractors start their diagnostic exercise by physically examining the patient and assessing the area of pain. Usually, pain is localized to the anterior hip and the groin, the posterior hip and the buttock, and the lateral hip. You don’t need to bother yourself too much with the specifics – that’s our job!
Another vital tool in diagnosing hip pain is collecting medical history and relevant information. Your chiropractor may ask about the pain’s duration, severity, and characteristics. Don’t be surprised if you also get asked questions about some drugs, like steroids, as all of these details help identify the cause of the pain.
Finally, if there are still unanswered questions about the pain diagnosis, chiropractors may turn to radiographical tools. These tools include plain X-rays, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and computed tomography (CT) scans.
Chiropractic Techniques for Hip Pain
Chiropractic techniques involve applying targeted force to specific areas of the body to support healing. Also known as chiropractic adjustments or methods, these techniques address biomechanical issues within the muscular, skeletal, and spinal systems. The body is actually responsible for coordinating treatment and promoting healing of the affected area; chiropractors just assist the body in doing this through chiropractic techniques.
Chiropractors promptly move on to considering and choosing the right chiropractic techniques for an individual with hip pain after identifying the root causes. Chiropractic manipulation for hip pain is one of these techniques. Manipulation techniques involve a chiropractor manually applying pressure to the spine or other affected areas, like the knee in this case. Common examples of manipulation techniques are Diversified and the Gonstead method.
Also, mobilization techniques may be applied to the hip and even the spine. Mobilization techniques are manual therapy techniques that involve a chiropractor moving the joint within its range of motion. Mobilization techniques aim to improve mobility, range of motion, and function of the joint. Chiropractors apply mobilization techniques to the spine, as well, because the pain experienced in the hip may be due to an imbalance in the spine or may be referred pain from the back.
Another technique chiropractors frequently employ in managing pain is altering the patient’s diet. You will be surprised at how effective a diet can be in managing different musculoskeletal conditions, especially those affected by inflammation. One of the most common causes of hip pain is arthritis, which is marked by inflammation in the joint, so it is not surprising that chiropractors can apply clinical nutrition techniques for pain management.
Nutritional therapy requires great care, considering the potentially significant effects of making the wrong food choices. Chiropractors must consider the individual case and use their knowledge to make the right decision for the patient. Therefore, the success of the therapy is linked to the quality and experience of the chiropractor.
You can get a high level of quality and experience from Dr. Tony Salameh at the Bay Clinic of Chiropractic. Dr. Tony is a nutrition specialist and how it affects the body, assisting you to make the right changes that will help relieve the symptoms of your hip pain and improve your overall health. You can reach us at (850) 785-9372 or through our email info@thebaydoctor.com.
What Are the Benefits of Chiropractic for Hip Pain?
The benefits of chiropractic for hip pain include long-term healing, pain relief, improved hip performance, and low risk of safety issues. These benefits are possible because chiropractors focus on identifying the root causes of a condition and duly addressing them using natural treatment options.
The benefits of chiropractic for hip pain are explained below.
Promotes Long-Term Healing
Long-term healing of a condition means treating the condition so that there is no worry about relapse (the condition returning after a while). One of the main principles of functional medicine and chiropractic is getting to the root cause of a condition before commencing any treatment. This root-cause-focused approach is important for multiple reasons, the chief of which is ensuring long-term healing.
Think about it: if there’s a piping problem in your home and water droplets start falling on your floor, would cleaning the droplets off the floor solve the problem? No. You still need to get to the source of the problem if you want a lasting solution. Chiropractors get to the source of your hip pain and then manage it.
Effective Pain Relief
Chiropractors can provide effective, short-term pain relief from hip pain through their various techniques and advice. A good treatment option must be able to provide short-term relief from pain despite the ultimate goal being long-term healing. Chiropractic can decrease hip pain in the short term.
Using the piping problem illustration we gave earlier, chiropractors providing immediate pain relief would be the equivalent of cleaning off the droplets of water on your floor to prevent further injuries while also trying to find and fix the source of the problem. So, the individual feels better soon after treatment while long-term healing continues in the body.
Improved Performance
Chiropractic can improve the hip’s performance and function, both during and after treatment. Performance and function are measured in terms of extensibility, flexibility, strength, and mobility. According to research from the Journal of Chiropractic Medicine, chiropractic treatment can improve the hip’s extensibility, flexibility, and strength.
The implication of improving the hip’s performance is that you can get pain relief, and your hips may even perform better than they were before the pain problems started. Improving hip function is one of the severely underrated benefits of chiropractic adjustment for hip pain.
Low-Risk
The risk of adverse effects with chiropractic techniques is very low as the techniques are natural and non-invasive. Therefore, chiropractic is a sustainable way of managing musculoskeletal problems.
Today, medications are the most common management option for musculoskeletal pain, and it’s not hard to see why, too. Medications are pretty effective, convenient, and easy to use. However, one problem associated with medications is their side effects, especially with chronic use. For example, opioid medications, which provide strong pain-relieving effects when used in managing musculoskeletal conditions, can pose multiple health risks in long-term or high-dose use.
The risk of severe hip pain after chiropractic adjustment is low, but know that we are all different and have different health statuses. Therefore, the prospect of getting low-risk treatment should not replace the opinion of your healthcare provider. This advice is even more true if you have underlying health conditions or are already established on certain medications.
Finding a Chiropractor
The Bay Clinic of Chiropractic is here to help if you’re in Panama City or the surrounding areas and looking for quality chiropractic care. We have the experience and expertise to provide a personalized treatment plan whether you’re dealing with hip, back, knee, or other musculoskeletal pain or want to improve your overall wellness. Reach out to us at (850) 785-9372 or email info@thebaydoctor.com to start your journey toward lasting relief and better health.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will You Need Surgery for Hip Pain?
You will most likely never need surgical intervention for your hip pain. Generally, you can resolve musculoskeletal problems like hip pain with the right non-invasive treatment strategies, like chiropractic. However, if there is structural damage to the hip and the accompanying pain is severe, surgery may not be off the cards, especially if other treatment options have failed.
Can a Chiropractor Help With Hip Replacement?
Chiropractors cannot perform hip replacement surgery, however, they can help manage the pain before and after the surgery. Chiropractors can also give valuable recommendations about how to achieve holistic healing of the hip, as well as improving their performance, after hip replacement.
Can Chiropractic Prevent Hip Pain?
Chiropractic cannot totally prevent hip pain, similar to other treatment models. However, chiropractors can help reduce their frequency and severity. Preventing a condition like hip pain is extraordinarily difficult because of the several different ways the pain may arise, which include injury and accidents. Still, with the right advice and holistic treatment techniques, it is possible to reduce the chances of having hip pain. This advice typically covers lifestyle, diet, and the kind of exercise and activities that will benefit the knee.
Can Chiropractic Improve Hip Performance?
Yes, chiropractic can enhance hip strength, flexibility, and mobility, potentially improving hip function beyond pre-pain levels. This performance improvement results from the various manipulation and mobilization chiropractic techniques that target the hip and the spine.
Can Hip Pain Be From Other Health Conditions?
Yes, it is possible for hip pain to be from other health conditions. This kind of pain is called referred pain, as the pain is from other sources, like problems with the back of the knee, sciatica, hernia, and even cancer. Accurate diagnosis is usually tricky in individuals who have referred pain. Nonetheless, the healthcare provider must ensure they get to the condition’s root cause and diagnose it correctly for treatment to be effective.
Conclusion
Effective treatment for hip pain is essential for restoring mobility and enhancing quality of life. Chiropractic care addresses the root causes and promotes long-term healing and pain relief. Individuals can regain optimal function and prevent future issues by seeking professional guidance, ensuring a more active and fulfilling lifestyle. Don’t let hip pain hold you back!
References
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