Pain of any kind can be life-altering. Specifically, when it comes to joint pain related to the lower body, patients tend to have a very tough time getting around.
In this article, we will take a look at a few of the most common causes of hip pain. From there, we’ll show how chiropractic care is an excellent choice for hip pain of any kind.
IT Band Tightness
Along the outside of our legs runs a thick band of tissue known as the iliotibial band, or the IT band. If you’re anatomically inclined, you might notice that this band is named for two structures of the lower body. These two structures are the ilium (a part of the pelvis) and the tibia (the shin bone).
This supportive band helps us in many ways. For one thing, it acts as an anchor for a few different muscle attachments. These muscles can pull on the band when they contract. In turn, the pull of these muscles causes the leg to move in specific directions.
Furthermore, the IT band provides stability to our hips and knees. It isn’t as rigid as bone, and it doesn’t contract like a muscle. This combination makes it perfectly suited for providing both stability and motion.
When the IT band becomes tight, patients often experience gait dysfunction, pain, and hip issues. In some cases, the IT band can rub on one of the bony prominences near the hip, leading to a very painful condition known as ITB friction syndrome.
Osteoporosis and Osteoarthritis
Unfortunately, as many of us get older, our bones begin to lose their strength and stability. This is a normal age-related change when it happens in small amounts. However, when we lose significant bone density, it may be due to a condition known as osteoporosis.
Osteoporosis can often occur in a vulnerable part of the femur (thigh bone) located right near the hip. When this part of the bone thins, it can eventually fracture. Fractures in this region tend to lead to a cascade of events that ultimately lead to the patient passing away. For this reason and many others, it’s critical that we all take care of our bodies with appropriate diet and exercise!
Another condition that is often confused with osteoporosis is osteoarthritis. Osteoarthritis is a wearing down of a joint. This process tends to occur due to excessive or inappropriate stress on a joint. When this issue occurs in the hips, every step a patient takes is agonizing.
Referred Pain from the Lumbar Spine
Sometimes, hip pain isn’t even directly related to the hip itself. In certain cases, the lumbar spine (low back) can “refer” or cause hip pain, even though the hip itself has no actual issue. This is because of the deep connections between the nervous system and every other tissue of the body.
Lumbar pain referring to the hip can be caused by a herniated disc, a pulled back muscle, or a subluxation in the spine.
One of the best ways to resolve hip pain, especially hip pain that is being referred from the low back, is to seek chiropractic care. Chiropractic manipulations serve to realign the spine and establish a better connection between the nerves of the lumbopelvic region and their targets. In turn, muscles, joints, and every other structure functions better. Additionally, this reestablishment of nervous system connections leads to healing effects.
If you are looking for a Parker chiropractor, consider Awaken Chiropractic. Our professional team can diagnose your hip pain and, best of all, help you resolve it. Book your appointment with us now!
