Hip Pain and Chiropractic in Mississauga

The hip joint is located between the pelvis and the upper end of the femur (also known as the thigh bone). Although this ball-and-socket joint is extremely stable, anchored to the pelvis by tough ligaments, conditions can arise that generate mild to disabling hip pain.  This hip pain may be helped at your Chiropractic office in Mississauga!

What causes hip pain?

Your Mississauga Chiropractor at Erin Mills Optimum Health starts by identifying the source of the hip pain. This is accomplished by reviewing patients’ health histories and conducting complete chiropractic physical examinations to determine if the discomfort is actually referred pain –  meaning that the source is elsewhere in the body, such as the back and pelvis– or if it is, indeed, emanating from the hip joint itself.  From there, your wellness doctor develops a comprehensive care plan.

A number of conditions can spark hip pain – the following are several of the most common:

1. Vertebral Subluxations
2. Sacroiliac Joint Dysfunction
3. Short Leg
4. Strains And Sprains
5. Osteoarthritis (OA)
6. Osteoporosis
7. Steroid Use
8. Fracture
9. Other Conditions

Vertebral Subluxations and hip pain

When spinal bones (vertebrae) are misaligned, a common condition known as vertebral subluxations ensues.  Vertebral subluxations in the low back often trigger hip discomfort.

Remember the old ditty that goes, “the hip bone’s connected to the leg bone, the leg bone’s connected to the…”? Well, it’s more than a catchy tune; it’s also an accurate anatomy lesson. Everything is connected, and spinal misalignments in the low back and pelvis can trigger hip pain.

It only takes one train car to skip the rail to derail an entire train. And it only takes one misaligned vertebrae to launch a chain reaction, causing misalignment in the pelvis, hips and rest of the lower body.

Fortunately, your Chiropractor in Mississauga knows how to get patients’ spines back on track! A series of specific maneuvers known as chiropractic adjustments realigns the spine.

In this research study, a patient undergoing chiropractic care experienced a “decrease in the pain and an improvement in the flexibility and strength that led to an improved [walking] pattern and decreased pain. Chiropractic Management of Hip Pain After Conservative Hip Arthroplasty

Sacroiliac Joint Dysfunction and hip pain

Located in each side of the sacrum (the triangular spinal bone below the lumbar vertebrae), the sacroiliac joints are susceptible to misalignment and strain. The result is pain in the lower back, buttocks and hip area.  This pain from the sacroiliac joints can even travel down towards the knees! Chiropractic adjustments help align the sacroiliac bones, mitigating dysfunction. Check out more on Piriformis Syndrome blog due to pelvic deficiency.

A Short Leg and hip pain

Many individuals have one leg that is slightly shorter than the other. The leg may actually be physically shorter (known as an anatomical short leg). But more often, the legs are physically the same length, but one functions shorter than the other by being slightly lifted by a tilted pelvis. This disparity leads to a disproportionate amount of force being applied to one hip during walking and other activities.  Fortunately, Chiropractic adjustments can balance out the leg lengths by addressing the alignment of the hips, pelvis, and spine!

Strains And Sprains

Strains to the muscles surrounding the hip joint and sprains to the ligaments of the joint are other frequent culprits of hip discomfort. In addition, sprains and strains to the lower back, knees or ankles can also result in misalignment of the hip bones.

Osteoarthritis (OA)

Osteoarthritis-related hip pain can be constant or ebb and flow with activity levels and weather. It can be the result of a previous trauma, or a gradual onset brought on by a repetitive activity. Patients who are overweight often have more difficulty than their leaner counterparts. Osteoarthritis leads to a destruction on the protective joint fluid, degenerative changes in the bone compromising the joint, and pain.  Check out this blog at drpeever.com on how people who were suffering with osteoarthritis were able to improve while under chiropractic care!

Osteoporosis

Osteoporosis, characterized by a loss of bone density, can also cause hip pain and significantly up the risk of hip fracture. Participating in weight-bearing activity is key to keeping this bone-robbing disease at bay. Regular chiropractic care helps maximize range of motion so patients can keep active.

Also preventing bone loss with calcium, magnesium and vitamin D supplements slows this degenerative process. Non‐pharmacological means to prevent fractures among older adults

Steroid Use and hip pain

Repeated steroid use – either orally or via injection – for pain relief may degenerate joint cavities. Steroids also reduce calcium absorption through the gastrointestinal tract, thus contributing to osteoporosis. In addition, they may cause a temporary or permanent loss of blood supply to the bones compromising the joint (a disease known as avascular necrosis). When this takes place, the bones erode, which can create more hip pain. Intraarticular cortisone injection for osteoarthritis of the hip. Is it effective? Is it safe?

Fracture and hip pain

A fracture of the head or neck of the femur can also cause considerable hip pain. If you or anyone in your family – particularly elderly relatives – suffers even from a minor fall, schedule an appointment with your chiropractor immediately. Your Mississauga Chiropractor will help you determine if an emergency room visit is necessary if a fracture is suspected.

Other Conditions

There are numerous other conditions that may cause hip pain, such as congenital disorders and fibromyalgia. Your chiropractor considers all possibilities when caring for patients with hip pain.

Tips for Preventing Hip Pain from you Mississauga Chiropractor

1. Walking Right
2. Be Shoe Savvy
3. Avoid Sitting on Your Wallet
4. Be Choosy About Where You Sit
5. Kids Get Hip Pain Too – address the issues early to avoid problems later

Walking Right to minimize pain

Foot placement during walking, technically referred to as your “gait” can spark hip pain. Changing your gait can be difficult but important to consider when suffering with hip pain.

Be Shoe Savvy to stop hip pain

Shoes directly impact the mechanics of your feet, knees and hips. Proper shoes go a long way towards helping prevent your hip problem and to allow it time to heal.

Certain sports activities, such as running and step aerobics, tend to strain hip flexor musculature. Toning the hamstring muscles, as well as a comprehensive stretching program, may counteract this.

Avoid Sitting on Your Wallet to avoid hip pain

Many individuals, primarily men, carry their wallet in their back pocket. Over time, even this slight additional weight during walking can interrupt the balance of the hip joints. What’s more, sitting on a wallet also triggers misalignment. The solution? Thin the wallet’s contents and, whenever possible, place it on the seat next to you or in a shirt pocket or briefcase.

Also constantly crossing your legs may be a culprit with hip problems too!

Be Choosy About Where You Sit to avoid hip pain

Prolonged sitting may contribute to back and hip pain and injury in the lumbar region of the spine.

Effects of prolonged sitting on the passive flexion stiffness of the in vivo lumbar spine

You can help prevent low back pain by paying attention to how – and what upon – you sit.

 Kids Get Hip Pain Too – Help them now

If you think hip pain is just for aging baby boomers and their parents, think again! Even young people can experience hip pain. Chiropractic is for kids too!

The Young Adult With Hip Pain: Diagnosis and Medical Treatment, Circa 2004.

If you are having hip pain in Mississauga, Dr. Callum Peever is here to help you start living better again at Erin Mills Optimum Health