Hip Pain Treatment in Santa Fe, NM
Our hips are a vital part of our bodies. We use them for everything, including simple daily activities such as walking and bending. This is why when hip pain strikes, it can make everyday life feel complicated. Since the hip joints are close to the pelvis and lower back and have overlapping functions with these body parts, any dysfunction or imbalance in one of these areas can affect the proper weight distribution between the upper and lower body- leading to pain. Hip pain is a common issue for many patients, and chiropractic can offer the perfect solution.
Hip pain is not a one-size-fits-all experience. It can manifest in various forms, from persistent dull aches to sharp, shooting sensations. To effectively manage hip pain, it's essential to thoroughly understand its root causes and common symptoms.
Hip Pain Symptoms
- Persistent discomfort or pain in the hip joint
- Pain that radiates down the thigh or to the lower back
- Stiffness in the hip, especially after periods of inactivity
- Difficulty in bearing weight on the affected hip
- Clicking or popping sensations during hip movement
The Importance of Early Intervention
While dismissing hip pain as a passing discomfort is tempting, early intervention is critical. Delaying treatment can lead to chronic issues that may require more extensive and invasive interventions. Early intervention can prevent acute hip pain from evolving into a chronic condition. Chronic hip pain can significantly limit your mobility and hinder your daily activities. Timely treatment is your best defense.
Chiropractic Treatments Can Ease Hip Pain by Addressing Five Common Causes
Hip Subluxation
A hip subluxation occurs when the hip gets stuck out of its normally aligned position, causing pain and discomfort that can reach the lower back, groin, and spine. Chiropractors are the most qualified healthcare practitioners to diagnose and treat hip subluxations.
Arthritis
The first type of hip pain that chiropractors can help you with is arthritis of the hip. Arthritis can develop from wear and tear, such as in the case of Osteoarthritis (OA). Additionally, autoimmune disorders like Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) can also lead to joint damage and pain. Arthritis can significantly reduce quality of life since it causes decreased hip mobility and function due to loss of cartilage. Although there is no cure for arthritis, getting regular chiropractic treatments can help slow down the progress of this condition. Chiropractors can help ease the symptoms and improve the patient's overall quality of life.
Sciatica
The sciatic nerve runs from your pelvic region down the back of your thigh to your feet. Inflammation or irritation of the sciatic nerve results in sciatica. This condition results from any injury or pressure on the sciatic nerve, including bulging discs, spinal degeneration, herniated discs, or osteoarthritis. Sciatica can cause radiating pain in various places in your body, including your lower back, the backs of your legs, and your hips.
Overuse Injury
Overuse injuries are common when it comes to hip pain. These types of injuries begin gradually, and they can worsen over time. This is why seeing a chiropractor can be the key to preventing your symptoms from becoming more severe or chronic. Chiropractors focus on restoring the proper spine and hip alignment to help promote better nerve integrity, muscle balance, and mobility for patients.
High-Impact Injury
Unlike overuse injuries, high-impact injuries result from a sudden incident such as a sports injury, a fall, or a car accident. Thus, in the case of a traumatic injury, instead of prevention, the primary focus is on pain management (with medication-free treatment options) and sustainable recovery by increasing the body's innate healing capabilities.
How Chiropractic Can Help
Studies have shown that chiropractic can increase mobility and lessen pain when patients are experiencing hip pain. Chiropractic steers clear of unnecessary medications and surgery and provides a holistic and sustainable approach to your recovery.
Activator Methods Chiropractic Technique for Hip Pain
The Activator Method is one of the most widely researched chiropractic techniques. It is the only instrument-adjusting technique with clinical trials to support its efficacy. The Activator adjusting instrument provides gentle, high-speed, low-force adjustments to the body to reduce inflammation and pain by restoring proper articulation and hip alignment. Since this approach doesn't incorporate high-force manual adjustments, people generally find this technique much easier to tolerate. If you have unsuccessfully tried various other hip pain treatments, both chiropractic and non-chiropractic, you may find the Activator Methods Chiropractic Technique to be a very effective way to manage your pain. Follow this link to find a certified Activator chiropractor near you.
What to expect on the first visit
If you are experiencing severe hip pain, then it's time to make your first chiropractic appointment. Expect to spend approximately 45 minutes on your first visit. After identifying problem areas, we will create a plan to correct the cause of your pain. If Chiropractic care is indicated as the best course of action for treating your hip pain, your condition will usually respond to treatment after the very first visit.
