Hip Pain | Ralston | Ralston Chiropractor

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HIP PAIN TREATMENT, CAUSES AND HOW A CHIROPRACTOR CAN HELP

The hip joint is a joint that is made to withstand a lot of repetitious motion. The joint it comprised of a ball and socket joint- the largest in the body, and is designed to be able to handle constant repetitious movement. The joint is cushioned by cartilage that helps to absorb shock when the hip joint is moving. This cartilage also helps prevent friction.

WHAT ARE SOME OF THE COMMON CAUSES OF HIP PAIN?

As noted, the hip joint is designed to handle a large amount of movement and wear and tear, despite being one of the body's most durable joints, problems can occur.

As we age, our cartilage begins to wear down and degrade somewhat. Also, our muscles and tendons can get 'tired' from overuse. When this happens, the risk of suffering additional problems such as injury to the hip bones, increases. Let's take a look at some of the most common symptoms of hip pain before we further explore what can cause it.

WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF HIP PAIN?

People who suffer from hip pain most commonly report the following symptoms:

Pain and discomfort in the thigh, hip joints, groin, outside of the hip, and buttocks
Feelings of tightness in any area of the back, hips, thighs, groin and buttocks
Reduced range of motion in the back, hip and leg
Limping

Now that we know the symptoms of hip pain, let's delve further into the reasons a person might experience hip pain.

DIFFERENT TYPES OF ARTHRITIS

OSTEOARTHRITIS

The most common type of arthritis is Osteoarthritis. The condition affects millions of people, and occurs when the cartilage that protects the ends of bones begins to wear down.

SEPTIC ARTHRITIS

Septic arthritis is a condition that develops when there is an infection within a joint. Germs from other parts of the body can invade the joint space.

JUVENILE RHEUMATIOD ARTHRITIS

This is the most common type of arthritis in children, and can lead to persistent symptoms including pain, swelling and stiffness. these symptoms often go away in childhood, however they can continue into adulthood, and have a negative impact on the hip joint.

HIP INJURIES

DISLOCATION OF THE HIP JOINT

A hip dislocation occurs when the bones of the joint are forced out of their normal positions. A dislocation will obviously prevent the joint's ability to function properly, and in turn, cause a great deal of pain.

HIP FRACTURE

As we age, our bones become weaker and are at a higher risk of fracture. In particular, seniors are much more susceptible to a hip fracture.

LABRAL TEAR

There is a ring around the hip socket that is made up of cartilage. This ring is called the labrum. A tear can occur which will cause pain.

SPRAIN OR STRAIN

Along with orthotics, ensure that you wear shoes with good shock absorption and arch support. This will help support the plantar fascia during the day.

PINCHED NERVES AND OTHER CONDITIONS

BURSTITIS

Burstitis is a condition that affects the small fluid filled sacs around a joint (called the bursae). These sacs help to cushion the joint. If they become inflamed, they can cause pain within the joint.

HERNIATED DISC

When one of the rubbery cushions between the vertebrae ruptures, this is called a herniated disk. This condition can cause severe hip pain.

SCIATICA

Sciatica is a pain than can radiate from the lower back and buttocks, through the hips, and down the leg. In particular, hip pain is a common symptom of sciatica.

SPINAL STENOSIS

Spinal stenosis is a condition where the open spaces within the spine begin to narrow. This can put pressure on the nerves of the back and hips.

TENDONITIS

Tendonitis is an inflammation of the tendons (thick cords that attach muscles to bone). This inflammation can lead to hip pain.

WHAT TREATMENT IS AVAILABLE FOR HIP PAIN?

There are a variety of treatments for hip pain. Depending on the cause of the pain, one or more of the following may be helpful in reducing the symptoms of hip pain.

CHIROPRACTIC THERAPY

If hip pain is not caused by another pre-existin condition or injury, it can often be safely an effectively treated with chiropractic therapy. Sometimes another area of the body can be out of place. Chiropractic adjustments can help return the body to tis optimal condition, which will help take undue pressure off of all of the joints of the body including hip pain.

ICE AND REST

You can reduce your symptoms of hip pain by applying ice for twenty minutes at a time. As well, ensuring you allow the hip joint lots of time to rest will help heal the joint.

HEAT

Some patients respond well to heat therapy. It's important to continue icing the area to help reduce inflammation, but the use of a heating pad can also help to loosen up up the muscles in the surrounding areas, which will in turn help reduce pain and tightness.

EXERCISE

If your pain is manageable, performing low impact stretching exercises can be highly beneficial. These stretches can help get the muscles and ligaments moving smoothly again.

HIP PAIN TREATMENT SUMMARY

Hip pain can be caused by many different things. If you are seeking a drug-free treatment option for you hip pain, book at appointment at Complete Balance Chiropractic. Dr. Holl has successfully identified the source of hip pain for many of our patients and successfully treated those patients and provided relief and mobility for them.

Want to learn about other areas of chiropractic care? Head over to our page about Neuropathy.

Complete Balance Chiropractic