What You Need to Know about Chiropractic Treatment for Hip Pain

What You Need to Know about Chiropractic Treatment for Hip Pain

Key Takeaways

Hip pain affects people of all ages, from elderly individuals experiencing joint degeneration to active younger adults dealing with overuse or trauma.
Chiropractic care addresses hip pain by restoring proper joint alignment and reducing pressure on surrounding muscles, nerves, and connective tissue.
Common causes of hip pain treated by chiropractors include osteoarthritis, bursitis, muscle imbalances, and misalignment from injury or repetitive stress.
Chiropractic treatment for hip pain is non-invasive and may reduce the need for pain medication or surgical intervention.
A chiropractor will typically assess the entire pelvis and lumbar spine, since hip pain often originates from or is worsened by spinal misalignment.

Hip pain is extremely debilitating. The hip is one of the major joints in the body, supporting your upper body and allowing you to walk and run. Over the time, the hip joint will suffer wear and tear, especially if you overuse it. In some cases, sudden trauma can displace your hip from its natural alignment. Thus, a lot of people can suffer from this kind of pain – both the elderly and the young and active. The good news is that chiropractic treatment for hip pain can help you enjoy a pain-free life without taking pills or undergoing surgery.

What Are the Most Common Causes of Hip Pain?

First of all, a chiropractor will want to know what exactly causes your hip pain. The most common reasons are:

1. Sudden Trauma

Taking a fall on you side can knock your hip out of its alignment. Slipping on a wet floor or on a sheet of ice are the most common causes of this type of hip pain. The elderly are significantly more at risk to suffer severe hip injuries as a result of a fall.

2. Sports Hernia

Sports hernia is also known the hip pain of weekend warriors. These are people who are usually not very active. They have a office job and spend a lot of time sitting down at the desk. Thus, they try to compensate during the weekend by being overly active.

Since they are not truly fit for the intense activities they do (jogging for long distances, playing impact sports like basketball or football), they are prone to injuries. One of the most common types of injuries is the strain or tear of the soft tissues around the hip.

3. Tendonitis

Tendonitis is a condition that affects very active people. Due to overuse, either for job purposes (postal workers, couriers, professional athletes) or in an attempt of staying fit. Tendonitis of the hip flexor (the tendon that allows you to lift up your knee to your body) causes pain when you try to move your leg. Your hip also feels tender to the touch, even when resting.

4. Bursitis

Bursitis is a condition that can affect any joint subject to overuse. The bursa is a sac filled with liquid which acts as a cushion between the bones and ligaments in a joint. When it is inflamed, it gives a sensation of constant pain – when you are walking, going up and down the stairs and even when you are lying down.

5. Osteoarthritis

This inflammatory condition causes an inflammation of the joints – including the hip. Patients experience stiffness and dull pain in the hip constantly. The most predisposed people to develop this condition towards middle age are extremely active people, especially professional athletes who play high-impact sports.

How Does Chiropractic Treatment for Hip Pain Help You
Chiropractors rely on a series of techniques to help you find relief from hip pain, depending on its cause. Here are some of the methods used in chiropractic treatment for hip pain:

1. Adjustments

Chiropractic adjustments are not only for the spine. Any joint that becomes misaligned can be adjusted back to its natural position. If your discomfort is caused by a fall, chiropractic treatment of hip pain will most likely include adjustments.

2. Massages

Specialized massages can stimulate blood flow, reduce inflammation and prevent the formation of scar tissue. Patients who experience hip pain from tendonitis, bursitis or sports hernia will experience relief in a natural way after a few sessions of chiropractic treatment for hip pain.

3. Electrical Muscle Stimulation

Electrical muscle stimulation (EMS) is 100% safe and effective. Chiropractors receive special training to use the EMS machine and will set the intensity to the right level depending on your age, tolerance to pain and type of injury.

EMS as part of chiropractic treatment for hip pain is effective in osteoarthritis and other conditions affecting extremely active persons. It helps strengthen the muscles, manage pain and it even benefits athletes who want to make a faster recovery from an injury and go back to their regular training.

Chiropractic treatment for hip pain is effective and can help you recover from your condition faster and enjoy your life to the full.

Medical Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider for personalized medical guidance. If you are experiencing a medical emergency, call 911 or your local emergency number immediately.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can a chiropractor help with hip pain?

Yes, chiropractors are trained to evaluate and treat hip pain caused by joint misalignment, muscle imbalances, and nerve irritation. By applying targeted spinal and pelvic adjustments, a chiropractor may help restore normal hip function, reduce inflammation, and relieve discomfort. Many patients report meaningful improvement after a course of chiropractic care, particularly when hip pain is linked to lumbar spine or sacroiliac joint dysfunction.

What causes hip pain that a chiropractor can treat?

Chiropractors commonly treat hip pain stemming from osteoarthritis, bursitis, hip flexor tightness, sacroiliac joint dysfunction, and misalignment caused by injury or repetitive movement. Poor posture, leg length discrepancies, and overuse during athletic activity can also contribute. A thorough chiropractic evaluation helps identify the root cause so treatment targets the actual source of pain rather than just the symptoms.

What does chiropractic treatment for hip pain involve?

Treatment typically includes manual adjustments to the hip, pelvis, and lumbar spine to restore proper alignment. Your chiropractor may also incorporate soft tissue therapy, therapeutic stretching, corrective exercises, and lifestyle recommendations. The specific approach depends on your diagnosis, age, activity level, and how long you have been experiencing pain. Most treatment plans involve multiple visits over several weeks.

Is chiropractic care for hip pain safe?

Chiropractic care is generally considered safe for most people experiencing hip pain. It is non-invasive and does not involve medication. Your chiropractor will review your health history and may request imaging before beginning treatment to rule out conditions that require a different approach. As with any healthcare treatment, discuss your full medical history with your provider before starting care.

How many chiropractic visits does it take to relieve hip pain?

The number of visits varies depending on the underlying cause and severity of your hip pain. Some patients notice improvement within three to six visits, while chronic conditions may require a longer treatment plan. Your chiropractor will typically reassess your progress every few weeks and adjust the plan accordingly. Consistency with any recommended home exercises can also influence how quickly you respond to care.

Can hip pain be related to spine problems?

Yes, hip pain frequently has a spinal component. The lumbar spine, sacroiliac joints, and hip joint all work closely together, and dysfunction in one area often affects the others. Nerve irritation originating in the lower back can produce pain that radiates into the hip and buttock, sometimes mimicking a true hip joint problem. A chiropractor is trained to differentiate between these causes and treat accordingly.

Sources

Osteoarthritis of the Hip — National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS) (2023)