If you’ve ever experienced hip pain or discomfort, then you know how frustrating and even debilitating it can be. It disrupts your daily routine by hindering your movements and affecting your mobility.
Causes of Hip Pain or Discomfort
Your hip pain could be a result of several different factors. Here are some of the more common causes of hip pain:
Inflammation
Conditions like rheumatoid arthritis or ankylosing spondylitis can cause inflammation in the hip joint, leading to pain and stiffness. If an injury or illness triggers inflammation, this spot in the hips can become easily filled with fluid or blood, causing swelling and pain.
Osteoarthritis
This is a degenerative joint disease where the protective cartilage in the joint that cushions the bones wears down over time. It’s the most common type of arthritis, and it tends to appear more in older people. Osteoarthritis can lead to joint pain, stiffness, and reduced range of motion in the hip joint especially after rest or inactivity.
Hip Dysplasia
This is a condition that occurs when the acetabulum (the socket in the pelvis where the femoral head fits) is too shallow to support the femoral head (the ball-shaped bone at the top of the femur or thigh bone). Most people who experience hip dysplasia are born with it, but many don’t experience symptoms until adulthood. If it’s left untreated, hip dysplasia can cause osteoarthritis and the need for a hip replacement later in life.
Sports Injuries
Activities that cause repetitive use or place excessive stress on the hip joint, such as running, dancing, or certain sports, can lead to pain and discomfort in the hips over time.
Signs & Symptoms
Your hips play a crucial role in supporting your body, so it’s important to be aware of any adverse effects. Some of the common signs to look out for are:
- Stiffness in the muscles around your hips and other areas of your body
- Pain and swelling in the hip region
- Referred pain or discomfort in the surrounding tissues (Referred pain is when the pain you feel in one part of your body is actually caused by pain or injury in another part of your body)
Various conditions like osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, Perthes disease, bone fractures, and chronic inflammation can contribute to hip pain. Don’t ignore any discomfort you may be feeling in your hips because addressing these issues sooner rather than later can greatly improve your overall well-being and prevent additional problems from forming.
How Can Chiropractic Care Help?
If you’re experiencing hip discomfort, pain, or swelling, seeking therapy is crucial for finding relief. Ignoring the pain can lead to long-term complications, including hip deformity and other issues. Here are some of the methods a Chiropractor may use when treating your hip pain:
Proper Nutrition
They may recommend a nourishing lifestyle that promotes weight reduction and attains the appropriate body mass index for your unique physique. By doing this, you can alleviate the strain on your hips caused by any excess weight in the body. The right nutrition tailored to your body type helps shape and strengthen your body to effectively manage hip pain both in the present and the future.
Regular Low-Impact Exercise
Engage in regular low-impact workouts like brisk walks, elliptical exercises, swimming, yoga, and stretching to promote a healthy, pain-free hip. By incorporating regular exercise that puts less stress on your body into your routine, you can reap the benefits of physical activity while also reducing discomfort and pain.
Massage Therapy
One type of massage therapy to help with hip pain is Myofascial release. This kind of technique targets the fascia, a thin, tough connective tissue that surrounds and supports muscles and other structures. Tight or restricted fascia may be the cause of hip pain and limited mobility. The chiropractor uses gentle pressure and stretching to release tension in the fascia, promoting better movement and reducing hip discomfort.
Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS)
This type of treatment involves the use of low-voltage electric currents which are released by little pads positioned on your hip area to supply relief to your hips.
TENS therapy can help block the transmission of pain signals or change your perception of pain.
Lifestyle Changes
Lastly, a chiropractor may recommend incorporating specific lifestyle changes that go beyond just dietary modifications. These changes, starting with maintaining proper posture and reducing manual strain, can make a significant impact to the healing and recovery of your hips.
See a chiropractor today and also conserve your hips the pains it has known and been experiencing for weeks or months. Your hips deserve total healing.
Don’t prolong therapy any longer, schedule an appointment with us today and let’s start your healing journey!