Chiropractic Care for Hip Flexor Pain (2024)

Published Date:

December 6, 2022

Categories:

Mobility

Chiropractic Care for Hip Flexor Pain (1)

Is hip flexor pain reducing your quality of life? Not sure how to treat a hip flexor injury? A chiropractor can help

Chiropractic care can be effective in treating many different types of hip pain. For example, if your hip pain is due to muscular imbalance or tightness, a chiropractor can perform adjustments and other techniques to help restore balance and improve range of motion. If your pain is due to a misalignment in your spine or pelvis, chiropractic care can also help to correct this issue.

In addition to adjustments, your chiropractor may recommend other conservative treatment options such as massage, ice or heat therapy, and stretching exercises. These treatments can help to relieve pain, improve range of motion, and prevent further injury.

Understanding the Hip Flexor Muscle

The hip flexor muscle is a large muscle that attaches to the lower spine and pelvis. It is responsible for lifting the leg when we walk or run and stabilizing the pelvis during movement.

While the hip flexor muscle is essential for movement, it can also be a source of pain. The hip flexor is a common site of injury, especially in athletes. Pain in the front of the groin is the most common symptom of a hip flexor injury. Other symptoms may include weakness in the leg, muscle cramping, and swelling.

Causes of Hip Flexor Strain

One of the most common causes of hip flexor strain is overuse, which can happen when you participate in activities requiring repetitive motions, like running or cycling. Other causes include sudden movements, like pivoting or changing directions quickly, which can cause the muscles and tendons to stretch beyond their capacity. Hip flexor strain can sometimes be caused by an injury, such as a fall or a direct blow to the area.

Chiropractic Care for Hip Flexor Pain (2)

Risk factors for developing hip flexor strain include being overweight, having tight muscles in the hips or pelvis, and participating in activities that require frequent bending at the waist. Wearing high heels can also contribute to the development of hip flexor issues.

Symptoms of Hip Flexor Strain

  • Sudden, sharp pain in the hip or thigh
  • Pain that worsens with activity or when moving the affected leg
  • Stiffness and decreased range of motion in the hip
  • Muscle spasms or weakness in the affected leg
  • Tenderness when touching the affected area
  • Swelling or bruising in the affected area

How Chiropractors Treat Hip Flexor Pain

Chiropractors specialize in diagnosing and treating neuromuscular disorders, emphasizing manual adjustment and manipulation of the spine.

Chiropractic Care for Hip Flexor Pain (3)

Chiropractic treatment for hip flexor pain varies based on the severity and cause. It typically involves a combination of manual therapy, like spinal manipulation, massage, or trigger point therapy, and rehabilitative exercises, including stretching, strengthening, and range of motion exercises.

Chiropractic care is generally considered to be safe and effective for the treatment of hip flexor pain. However, as with any form of treatment, there are potential risks and side effects associated with chiropractic care.

Chiropractors use a variety of treatment approaches to help relieve hip pain, depending on the individual’s needs. Some common treatment approaches used by chiropractors for hip pain include:

Manipulation

This gentle, hands-on technique helps restore normal joint function and improves range of motion.

Chiropractic Care for Hip Flexor Pain (4)

Exercise

Chiropractors may prescribe specific exercises to help strengthen the muscles and support the joints.

Activity modification

Chiropractors may recommend activity level or posture changes to help reduce the hips' stress.

Ice/heat therapy

Chiropractors use ice or heat to help reduce inflammation and pain.

Ultrasound

This therapy uses sound waves to help reduce pain and inflammation.

Electrical stimulation

This therapy uses electrical impulses to help reduce pain.

The Importance of Properly Treating Hip Flexor Strains

Proper treatment of a hip flexor strain is essential because if the injury is not treated correctly, it can lead to further problems such as chronic pain, weakness, and decreased range of motion. Treatment typically includes rest, ice, compression, and elevation (RICE). They may also prescribe physical therapy to help stretch and strengthen the muscles. Surgery is rarely necessary.

Conclusion

As with any type of pain, it's essential to consult your doctor to rule out any serious underlying causes. However, if you're experiencing hip pain that is not the result of a severe injury or condition, seeing a chiropractor may be able to help.

If you have severe pain, consulting with a chiropractor is an excellent first step in finding relief. They offer various natural, non-pharmacological pain treatment options with relatively few side effects that are effective for easing hip pain.

Chiropractic Care for Hip Flexor Pain (5)

Dr. Eric Neumann D.C.

Dr. Eric Neumann grew up in Alberta, Canada where he majored in Chemistry at the University of Calgary. During his time at University, he obtained licensure as a Massage Therapist. It was clear that hands-on healing would be his calling. After suffering multiple sport-related injuries he became interested in Chiropractic. Dr. Neumann graduated from Western States Chiropractic College in 2009. He has since specialized in the treatment and management of acute spinal injuries.

Chiropractic Care for Hip Flexor Pain (2024)

FAQs

Chiropractic Care for Hip Flexor Pain? ›

It typically involves a combination of manual therapy, like spinal manipulation, massage, or trigger point therapy, and rehabilitative exercises, including stretching, strengthening, and range of motion exercises. Chiropractic care is generally considered to be safe and effective for the treatment of hip flexor pain.

Can a chiropractor fix hip flexor pain? ›

It typically involves a combination of manual therapy, like spinal manipulation, massage, or trigger point therapy, and rehabilitative exercises, including stretching, strengthening, and range of motion exercises. Chiropractic care is generally considered to be safe and effective for the treatment of hip flexor pain.

How do you fix chronic hip flexor pain? ›

Avoiding activities that put stress on the hip, including any sports that involve running, kicking, or turning. A person may want to consider limiting going up or down stairs or walking long distances; however, activities should not be completely avoided. Applying ice or heat to the affected area of the hip or groin.

Should I go to the chiropractor if my hip hurts? ›

Although hip pain is frequently the result of osteoarthritis or injury, it can also be a sign of other health conditions. A doctor of chiropractic can help you identify the source of your hip pain and develop a tailored treatment plan for your symptoms.

How long does it take a chiropractor to realign hips? ›

A hip alignment session usually takes 30 minutes. This time frame includes a brief interview about your symptoms and the actual procedure.

Does hip flexor pain ever go away? ›

Most people can recover by resting their muscle and using at-home treatments like ice and over-the-counter medicine. If you're feeling pain for a few weeks after your injury or have severe symptoms, see a healthcare provider.

What are the risks of hip adjustments at the chiropractor? ›

Some people experience minor side effects for a few days after chiropractic adjustment. These may include headaches, fatigue or pain in the parts of the body that were treated.

Why is my hip flexor hurting so bad I can barely walk? ›

Pain in the hip flexors occurs when the muscles and tendons are overused or pulled beyond their limits from sudden movements like kicking or sprinting. Tight hip flexors are usually caused by not properly warming up before physical activities or not exercising at all. A strain is a type of tear in the muscle tissue.

What is the best pain reliever for hip flexor? ›

You can use ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), or naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn) to reduce pain and swelling. Acetaminophen (Tylenol) helps with pain, but not with swelling. You can buy these pain medicines at the store.

What aggravates hip flexors? ›

Hip flexor pain is typically made worse during certain activities or during specific movements, such as: Prolonged sitting, such as sitting during the day at an office job or a long car trip. Going up or down stairs. Bending the knee to the chest (for example, to tie a shoe)

Should I see a physio or chiro for hip pain? ›

Deciding whether to visit a physiotherapist or chiropractor is entirely dependent on the kind of pain you're experiencing, but it also possible that both of these medical professionals can help relieve your hip pain symptoms.

Can being out of alignment cause hip pain? ›

The symptoms of misaligned hips are often mild enough that the condition goes undetected and untreated. If you experience any of these minor symptoms, hip misalignment may be the culprit: Increasing pain in the hips during or after exercise. Pain in the hips and lower back while standing.

Do chiropractors put hips back in place? ›

Chiropractic is a great first option for people suffering from hip pain and other problems related to misaligned hips. It's conservative, non-invasive, and gradual. Through Chiropractic BioPhysics (CBP) techniques focused on rebalancing the body, chiropractors may help reposition the hips.

Can a chiropractor release hip flexors? ›

Chiropractors utilize techniques like spinal adjustments and soft tissue mobilization to release tension in tight muscles while strengthening weaker ones. By restoring proper alignment and muscle balance, chiropractic treatment helps improve overall function and prevent future issues with your hip flexors.

How can I realign my hips myself? ›

7 Exercises for Hip Realignment
  1. Stand sideways on a small step on the leg where the pelvis is higher. ...
  2. Push down through your foot, lifting the opposite pelvis as high as possible. ...
  3. Stay in this position for 10 seconds. ...
  4. Repeat this exercise five to 10 times, or until the leg you're standing on tires out.
Nov 24, 2022

Can a chiropractor help with hip and groin pain? ›

If you're experiencing groin pain, your first instinct may be to visit your general practitioner but a chiropractor can absolutely treat groin pain and get you out of pain. A chiropractor can treat groin pain in a unique way by focusing on the muscles and how they interact with one another.

What will a doctor do for hip flexor pain? ›

Brace — a brace can help compress and stabilize the hip flexor to speed healing. Physical therapy and rehabilitation — if pain persists longer than a couple weeks, your physician may prescribe a physical therapy program to help you increase your flexibility and strength.

How long does it take for a hip flexor to fully heal? ›

It typically requires one to three weeks of rest and treatment to recover from mild conditions fully. On the other hand, more severe cases can take around four to six weeks or longer. In addition, injuries that did not receive immediate treatment may take months to recover fully and may also cause chronic pain.

Is it OK to stretch a strained hip flexor? ›

Light exercise is encouraged to relieve hip flexor pain. There are several exercises recommended to stretch, strengthen, and reduce hip pain. These exercises do not require any equipment and can easily be done at home.

Is it good to massage sore hip flexor? ›

When it comes to hip flexor pain, massage therapy offers several key benefits: a. Muscle Relaxation: Skilled massage therapists use techniques such as kneading, friction, and stretching to target and relax the hip flexor muscles. This relieves tension, reduces pain, and improves flexibility.

References

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Prof. Nancy Dach

Last Updated:

Views: 6303

Rating: 4.7 / 5 (57 voted)

Reviews: 88% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Prof. Nancy Dach

Birthday: 1993-08-23

Address: 569 Waelchi Ports, South Blainebury, LA 11589

Phone: +9958996486049

Job: Sales Manager

Hobby: Web surfing, Scuba diving, Mountaineering, Writing, Sailing, Dance, Blacksmithing

Introduction: My name is Prof. Nancy Dach, I am a lively, joyous, courageous, lovely, tender, charming, open person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.