Lots of people feel hip pain, and it can happen for various reasons. The most typical one is due to back problems. Hip osteoarthritis is a common issue that affects mostly older folks. Roughly, 1 in 4 women and 1 in 6 men over 60 years old say they feel its symptoms.
Hip osteoarthritis could occur due to earlier injuries like a fracture or dislocation. Having excessive weight or even a family history of the disorder puts extra stress on your hips and can increase the chance of getting it. However, it can still happen without these risk factors. Working with a chiropractor can often help lessen the hip pain.
So, what are the signs of hip osteoarthritis? The symptoms can change from person to person, but typically you may feel stiffness and discomfort around your hip, thigh, or buttocks in the morning. The pain usually gradually spreads down the front of your thigh into your knee. Some people feel pain mostly over the knee which can lead them to overlook a hip issue.
High activity levels, lifting heavy objects or even cold weather can make the pain worse. It can make it harder to move, and cause a loss of muscle strength, leading to difficulty in walking and running. You might even develop a limp because you can’t extend your hip or thigh back. Wearing shoes or putting on socks can become quite a challenge due to the intense pain.
Rest can sometimes relieve the pain, but not always. It depends on how inflamed the hip and joint are. Using a cane or stick can help you walk more comfortably.
When it comes to treatment, chiropractic care can help! It doesn’t usually reverse the condition, but it can relieve pain, slow down the disease, and delay or decrease the need for surgery.
During the exam, chiropractors look at your hip, knee, back, foot, and ankle, because these can all play a part in your hip issue. An x-ray is often necessary to confirm the diagnosis and understand the severity of the problem.
Chiropractic treatment can reduce inflammation, relax painful muscle spasms, strengthen weak muscles, and provide advice on nutrition, lifestyle, and exercise. The treatment might include massage, stretching, gentle mobilization techniques, interferential therapies, or ultrasound.
Getting the right nutrition and leading a healthy lifestyle is also important to keep you feeling good. Chiropractors can also advise on medication that might help. Early chiropractic treatment could help you avoid surgery. If you end up needing surgery, don’t worry, rehabilitation with a chiropractor after the operation will get you back on your feet.
So, if you’ve been having hip pain, it might be worth visiting a chiropractor to see if they can help you out.
