Hip Pain Treatment: A Belmar, New Jersey Chiropractor’s Perspective

The hip joint is the largest in the body, responsible for covering a wide range of motion.  Identifying the particular joint restriction or subluxation is so important.  We use very specific adjustments to the hip to correct misalignments and maximize motion and function.  

The many supporting tendons, cartilage, ligaments, and muscles that surround the hip joint require us to work with the soft tissue to address tension, strains, and sprains.  Loosening up tight muscles to allow for proper motion is so important and a great complement to chiropractic adjustments.

Customized Therapeutic Exercise Plan

When we find that muscle weaknesses or imbalances are part of the problem, we provide specific exercises to support hip function.  Strengthening the glutes and the hip flexors will protect the hips from future injuries.  Sitting is the enemy of the gluteals and the hip flexors.  Getting up and performing proper exercises throughout the day, especially if you are someone who sits all day for work, is critical to managing hip pain.  We’ll work to strike the right balance between stability and mobility without over-emphasizing either one which could be detrimental and lead to more problems. 

Osteoarthritis is a wear and tear disease that affects many joints, especially in those with an older spine, but it can also affect the cartilage and overall ball and socket joint of the hip. Osteoarthritis in the hip can result in pain, stiffness, tenderness, swelling, loss of flexibility, and sometimes bone spurring.  Usually, arthritis is most prevalent in people who are over 50 years old or overweight.  Old injuries to the hip, like untreated sports injuries or accidents, can certainly give rise to advanced osteoarthritis and repetitive stress.  This is especially prevalent in patients who played sports or had a manual labor job.  These activities can give rise to early-onset arthritis.  Osteoarthritis cannot be reversed, but the symptoms can be managed with chiropractic care.

Tendinitis is the thickening of the tendon in the joint area.  It causes stiffness that restricts mobility of the hip joint and results in pain and swelling.  Hip tendinitis can be the result of an acute injury or accident but is more likely from an occupational or sports-related repetitive movement.  The RICE treatment, Rest Ice Compression Elevation, can provide much pain relief, though it can be difficult to treat the hip because it is so critical to everyday movements.  At Kinney Chiropractic, we also use acupuncture which some patients find helpful in restoring energy flow. 

Repetitive activity that puts strain on the muscles, tendons, and ligaments supporting the hip is also a common underlying problem in patients with hip pain.  Overused, strained, or sprained muscles or tendons can become inflamed and specific stretches would need to be prescribed to address the tension limiting mobility and function of the joint. 

A hip labral tear, when the cartilage that hugs the ball and socket joint tears, can be extremely painful.  This is usually the result of trauma but is also prevalent among athletes.  Contact sports, runners, weekend warriors, or those that decide to do a 5K with no training will experience labral tears.  Because the hip labrum is so deep in the joint, orthopedists often turn to surgery to correct the issue.  We always opt for a less invasive, natural approach to healthcare.  Even though it’s painful, hip labral tears can be managed conservatively with chiropractic care and soft tissue work.  

Should I go to a chiropractor in Belmar, New Jersey for hip pain?

Yes, certainly!  Our goal is to find out what the underlying problem is and the way to do that is by having a thorough exam, possibly with X-rays, to rule out any serious other hip pathology. 

What happens when the hips are out of alignment?

When the hips are out of alignment, weight distribution is uneven and the body experiences stress unevenly.  This can cause pain and dysfunction in one hip and not the other as that one hip is primarily responsible for the brunt of the workload.  

What can a chiropractor do for hip arthritis?

We can certainly get better motion and movement in the hip and spine with chiropractic adjustments, mobilization, and soft tissue work. Unfortunately, a chiropractor can’t take away arthritis that’s already there, but we can certainly help to prevent it from getting worse.

Can uneven hips be fixed?

Yes, chiropractic adjustments do wonders to help fix unlevel or uneven hip joints. 

How do I loosen my hip flexors?

Specific stretches are so important in helping loosen very tight hip flexors. We prescribe specific hip stretches when patients have hip flexor issues.