October 10

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Can a Chiropractor Help with Hip Pain?

By campuschiropractic

October 10, 2021


The hips are a complex region in the body designed to perform several functions. They keep us upright, help our bodies to move smoothly, and allow us to carry weight; they’re engaged in the majority of movements made on a daily basis. We can’t function properly if our hips are out of order. But age, dysfunction, injury, and trauma can affect our hips, bringing pain to the area, along with nearby joints and muscles. The best chiropractor in Sydney can help alleviate hip pain through treatment plans that include adjustments, stretching, exercises and massages tailored to address individual symptoms.

What Is a Chiropractor?

A chiropractor is a primary care practitioner in the allied health field with expertise in the diagnosis and treatment of disorders in the musculoskeletal and nervous systems. Using non-invasive techniques centred on spinal adjustment (i.e. spinal manipulation), Chiropractors aim to reduce or remove pain and improve the overall neuro-musculoskeletal health of the body. Additionally, they may recommend specific types of exercise, ergonomic devices, or other therapeutic practices, as well as advice on diet, nutrition, and lifestyle changes that can be implemented to improve or maintain spinal health. Chiropractic work, however, is a non-drug field, so chiropractors do not prescribe any medications and they do not perform surgery.

What Does a Chiropractor Treat?

Are chiropractors good for a herniated disc? What about neck pain or back injury? The answer to all three is a resounding yes!

A chiropractor is able to treat a variety of health conditions, especially those involving the spine and nearby affected regions such as the back, neck, and joints. Sometimes, these problems affect the nervous system (e.g. misaligned bones can put pressure on nerves), impacting deeper areas of the body.

Here are some common problems that chiropractors deal with:

  • Back sprains
  • Neck pain
  • Pelvic pain (sacro-iliac joint or pubic symphysis)
  • Disc-related disorders (e.g. herniated disc, “slipped” disc, degenerative disc disease)
  • Myofascial pain (“knots” in the muscles)
  • Sciatica (sharp pain caused by the compression or irritation of the sciatic nerve)
  • Whiplash
  • Osteoarthritis
  • Limb length discrepancy

What Is Hip Pain?

Hip pain is another common problem that chiropractors treat. It’s characterized by any pain or discomfort in the hips, but it can also be expressed as pain or discomfort in nearby regions of the body. Hip pain can be experienced by people of all ages, and is often caused by wear and tear, misalignment, and injury, among others.

Hip pain can be incredibly debilitating, especially since the hips are a part of most major movements; which means severe hip pain can negatively affect an individuals day-to-day life, and can even cause further complications in other areas of the body if not treated.

Causes of Hip Pain

Many internal and external factors can cause hip pain and the cause will likely determine which region of the hip is affected, as well as the severity of the discomfort. Generally, hip pain is caused by one of the following:

  • Age (i.e. wear and tear)
  • Dysfunction
  • Trauma or injury
  • Overuse, especially in the case of athletes
  • Inflammation
  • Referred pain (hip pain caused by another ailment, e.g. a hernia)

Symptoms of Hip Pain

The symptoms of hip pain include discomfort in the glute, thigh, or groin area, as well as the regions inside and outside of the hip joint. Sometimes, this pain can radiate into other parts of the body in the same way as other bodily pains can affect the hip. Some symptoms of hip pain are only felt with activity; which can cause a reduced range of motion or immobility over the long term.

Once you feel the symptoms of hip pain, especially if it’s been bothering you for more than a few weeks, it’s best to consult a chiropractor for treatment. A lot of people ask, “Do I need a referral for a chiropractor?” The answer is no because they are primary care practitioners. Chiropractors are always happy to receive a referral from your general practitioner (GP), physiotherapist, personal trainer, coach etc and will communicate your progress with letters back to the referrals by health practitioners.

How Can a Chiropractor Help with Hip Pain?

Chiropractors can use a variety of techniques to alleviate hip pain. The combination of these usually depends on the individual diagnosis of each patient.

The most common procedures performed are chiropractic adjustment or spinal manipulation. In this method, a chiropractor uses their hands or small instruments to apply controlled force to joints, bones, and muscles in and around the spinal area and pelvic region to improve the overall function of the musculoskeletal and nervous systems and to relieve hip pain.

Additional techniques a Chiropractor might use include:

  • Exercise therapy
  • Postural training
  • Stretching
  • Massage
  • Instrument Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilisation
  • Other equipment like laser, dry needling etc

All chiropractic treatments are personalized; as each one will be based on the patient’s medical history, diagnosis, and tolerance. Some treatments can be done in just one session, while others require several visits to complete.

What to Expect on Your First Chiropractic Visit

On your first visit, your chiropractor will typically conduct interviews and tests to learn more about your medical history and current state of health. After making the necessary assessments, which may include x-rays, magnetic resonance imaging (MRIs), postural analysis etc, the doctor will determine a diagnosis and check if you’re eligible for chiropractic treatment.

In some cases, the chiropractor may decide to begin performing adjustments right there and then. But for more complex conditions, they may opt to study the results and design a complete treatment plan.

Should I Consult a Chiropractor for My Hip Pain?

If you are feeling any discomfort in your hip or nearby regions, it can be a great idea to seek help from a chiropractor to alleviate the pain in a non-invasive, non-surgical, and non-drug manner. Chiropractors are highly-trained health professionals; they have a comprehensive medical education and receive 5 years of intensive university training before they are allowed to open their practice, which means you can trust that you’re in good hands.

campuschiropractic

About the author

Campus Chiropractic & Wellness is as natural health clinic on the campus of the University of Sydney. The main services are chiropractic & remedial massage. Its current location was established in 2011 after Dr Jeremy Hammond, chiropractor, had already provided chiropractic on campus for 11 years.

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