Hip Pain

Piriformis syndrome is a common neuromuscular disorder that is caused when the piriformis muscle compresses the sciatic nerve. The piriformis muscle is a flat, band-like muscle located in the buttocks near the top of the hip joint. This muscle is important in lower body movement because it stabilizes the hip joint and lifts and rotates the thigh away from the body.

Piriformis syndrome usually starts with pain, tingling, or numbness in the buttocks. Pain can be severe and extend down the length of the sciatic nerve (called sciatica). The pain is due to the piriformis muscle compressing the sciatic nerve, such as while sitting on a car seat or running. Chiropractic adjustments to the lower back can balance the pelvis. Stretching the piriformis has proven to be effective as well, but strengthening exercises around the muscle is the best treatment as the piriformis is often weak or overused in this case.

IT Band Syndrome is an overuse injury of the connective tissues that are located on the lateral or outer part of the thigh and knee. It causes pain and tenderness in those areas, especially just above the knee joint. Iliotibial band syndrome is the most common cause of lateral knee pain in runners and bicyclists.

The iliotibial band is a thick band of fascia (tissue) that begins at the iliac crest in the pelvis, runs down the lateral or outside part of the thigh, and crosses the knee to attach to the top part of the tibia or shinbone. Chiropractic adjustments to the pelvis and rehab exercises to the hip and knee can take pressure off this tissue and speed up recovery.

The main work of your hip flexors is to bring your knee toward your chest and to bend at the waist. Symptoms associated with a hip flexor strain can range from mild to severe and can impact your mobility.

Pain can occur in the front of the hip or lower back when running or sitting. Stretching this muscle is beneficial, but a balancing of the core muscles through strengthening is more effective.

One of the primary causes of hip pain is bursitis, which is an inflammation of the bursa. These fluid-filled sacs are found around the body and serve as cushions between bones and soft tissues such as muscles, tendons, and skin.

Each hip has two major bursae. The outside point of the hip, which is called the greater trochanter, has a bursa called the trochanteric bursa. (The other bursa, on the inside of the hip area, is called the iliopsoas bursa.) Symptoms include pain on the outside of your hip, pain that goes down the upper leg and if severe enough then there will be redness and swelling.

Arthritis is one of the most common causes of pain in the hip. Arthritis is a progressive disorder, which means that it typically starts gradually and gets worse with time. The term arthritis literally means “inflammation of the joint”.

Symptoms include pain in the hip joint generally at the groin region. It is worse when lifting the leg or rotating the hip. Pain that is typically worse in the morning but lessens with activity, difficulty walking or stiffness in the hip and limited range of motion. Chiropractic care can help mobilize this joint and reduce the possibility of surgery.