From thelaurelmagazine.com
Written By: Dr. Sue Aery
Managing low back pain and hip misery requires wise counsel and compassionate care
How do we differentiate between low back pain, sciatica, and hip pain? Well, let’s start with the chiropractor and the many tools we have to help diagnose and solve these issues. Using the information from an exam, the chiropractor will differentiate between hip pain (or pain in the ball and socket joint), and its surrounding components, low back pain (or spinal restriction), and disc herniation or impingement of the sciatic nerve in the buttock.
Once the cause is determined, as long as there are no broken bones, treatment can begin. This may involve many aspects of chiropractic care, including some very effective therapies such as Tissue Regeneration Therapy/Stem Cell Activation, acupuncture, and electric stimulation. Chiropractic manipulation may involve balancing of the pelvis, which will remove stress on the hip joint, alleviate pressure on the bursae and tendons that surround the joint and relieve the irritation to the nerves that pass through the buttock and make up the sciatic nerve that can also cause pain in the leg.
Soft tissue work such as trigger point and myofascial massage are also two common techniques used, usually by a licensed massage therapist as directed by the doctor. Next, the cause of the pain and dysfunction must be addressed so that it can be removed or remedied for future health. A few common culprits involve leading a sedentary life or sitting too much without stretching and focusing on the complex movements that the normal hip can perform.
Remember, the hip is a dynamic joint with many planes of motion. When we deprive the joint of motion, we also limit the amount of blood flow into the joint, thereby accelerating the process of degeneration. Arthritic hip joints are far more prevalent now and many more people face impending replacement surgeries. These can often be avoided with proper preventive care, including chiropractic care. The lumbopelvic complex is intimately connected to the hip joint and should also be well taken care of to improve the skeletal health and prevent premature arthritis and pain.
So many pain processes can be avoided with maintenance care. If you plan on leading an active life, or want to return to this lifestyle, it will take some action and diligence to correct the problem and then take better care of your body going forward. As I often tell my patients – let’s use our body the way it was designed to be used well – and often!
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