Our hips are instrumental in nearly every way we move our bodies, so pain in the hips can be debilitating. Although pain in the hips can be caused by injury or osteoarthritis, it can also signify other health issues. If you’re experiencing hip pain, Brian Murphy, DC, MS, and the chiropractic specialists at Stamford Spine in Stamford, Connecticut, can help. They work with you to identify the source of your hip pain and create a treatment plan to help you return to pain-free movement. Call or make an appointment online to begin your road to relief today.

book online

What causes hip pain?

A variety of issues may cause pain in your hips. The frequency, severity, and type of pain all factor into diagnosing the reason for your hip pain and then beginning treatment. Some of the most common reasons for hip pain include:

Osteoarthritis and inflammatory diseases

For older adults, osteoarthritis is the most common cause of hip pain. As a degenerative disease, there is no set cure; however, there are ways to slow the progression of osteoarthritis and thus prevent the worsening of symptoms.

Other inflammatory disorders causing hip pain may include rheumatoid arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease, and ankylosing spondylitis.

Inflammation

Inflammation in either the hip joint or the ligaments and structures around the joint can limit the movement of the hip joint. Injury or illness can cause inflammation in the joints, filling them with fluid or blood and causing pain.

Overuse injuries

Developing gradually over time, repeated wear and tear on the cartilage around the hip joint can cause arthritis and inflammation. In addition, certain movements aggravate pain caused by overuse injuries, and the pain tends to worsen over time.

Trauma

Fractures or dislocations in the hips and pelvis joints can be diagnosed quickly with an X-ray. Other traumatic injuries may be more subtle, including strains, sprains, and bruises in the cartilage or muscles around the hips.

Elderly patients who suffer from brittle bones may experience an increased risk of fractures in the hips and pelvis bones.

Referred pain

It’s common for patients to feel hip pain when the actual source of their pain originates in another part of the body. For instance, sciatica, or inflammation in the sciatic nerve, can frequently present as hip pain.

How can a chiropractor help with hip pain?

Both through a physical examination and a careful review of your personal and family history, your doctor of chiropractic determines the cause of your hip pain and then identifies the best course of treatment.

Your treatment plan may include chiropractic adjustments, exercises, stretches, massages, coordination with other physicians, and more. Your treatment goals are to reduce inflammation, increase mobility, strengthen weakened muscles, and relax muscle spasms.

If you experience hip pain, identifying the cause and creating a custom treatment plan can be instrumental in allowing you to walk, run, stand, and sit pain-free. To find relief, call or schedule an appointment online with Stamford Spine today.