A physical therapist working on the hip of a patient. Physiotherapy with protective measures for the Coronavirus pandemic, COVID-19. Osteopathy, therapeutic chiromassage
Healthy hips are necessary for standing, sitting, walking, running, bending, twisting, lifting, etc. Hip problems can seriously interfere with everyday activities. Out of alignment hips don’t just cause pain and soreness in the hip area but can radiate to other body areas. When the hip joint is out of alignment, the rest of the body has to start compensating for the misalignment, which can cause chronic pain in the back and/or legs.
Discomfort and soreness begin as occasional but can quickly become regular. Individuals may also begin to limp when they walk, have a reduced range of motion in the hips, and pain that escalates with physical activity and improves with immobility/rest. Out of alignment hips can be caused by:
If the legs are different lengths, this can cause the hips to go out of alignment. Using a foot wedge/foot orthotic in the shoe can remedy the situation.
Functional leg length discrepancy is a common cause of hip misalignment, meaning that leg length is equal, but the individual is doing something to cause the hips to go out of alignment. It usually involves posture, standing, walking, sitting, lifting, and carrying improperly or awkwardly and repetitively could create functional leg length discrepancy.
Scoliosis is only one cause of hip misalignment. It is not likely that an individual has scoliosis if they are an adult and have not previously been diagnosed with the condition. If a child has what looks like a misaligned hip, it is recommended to take them to get tested for scoliosis. Most children with the disorder will outgrow it, but they need to be monitored by a medical professional.
Symptoms include:
One of the most prominent signs that it is a hip problem is the presence of groin pain. Groin pain can radiate downward toward the buttocks, front of the thighs, and knees. The hip joint is located behind the groin; pain usually means the hip is the root cause.
A chiropractic examination can identify uneven hips. Chiropractic and motorized spinal decompression can reset the hips to their proper position. A chiropractor will be able to rebalance the hips and help avoid invasive surgical treatments and long-term rehabilitation.
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