There is no one-size-fits-all answer to the question of whether a chiropractor can help with osteoarthritis of the hip.
In this article, we will be looking at the factors that increase the chances of hip wear and tear as well as what you can do to help your hip osteoarthritis.
Hip wear and tear, commonly referred to as hip osteoarthritis, is a normal aging process of the hip and can cause a variety of symptoms such as pain, stiffness, clicking and weakness. Hip wear and tear is what it says on the tin.
The hip bone is made up of a ball and a socket with a smooth structure known as cartilage which allows your hip to move smoothly and acts like a cushion for the bone. With hip osteoarthritis this cartilage becomes rough, damaged and worn down, a process that occurs over many years.
In severe cases the damaged bone may start to grow extra bits to help maintain hip movement.
The most common way to diagnose hip osteoarthritis is an x ray, but there are other clinical assessments that can be undertaken to give indications that a patient might have hip wear and tear; which your chiropractor would be able to perform.
The muscles around your hips, such as your quadriceps and gluteal muscles help to stabilise and support your hips and pelvis. Therefore, keeping these muscles strong and healthy can help reduce the symptoms of hip wear and tear.
Stretching the glutes and quads helps to keep your hip loose and mobile so your muscles and joints can adapt with any extra demands your body goes through. This can help with getting in and out of the car or picking up your grandkids.
If you’re struggling with motivation, here is a great website that one of our amazing patients with hip arthritis suggested, as it helped them to gain confidence, help their mobility and reduce their symptoms.
Non-weight wearing sports such as aqua aerobics or swimming can help keep your hips moving while reducing the load through your joints.
Yoga or Pilates can really help keep your hips moving and aid with muscle strengthening and help maintain or even improve your hip mobility.
Heat can help relax the muscles around your hip joint which can reduce spasming. It also may help with reducing stiffness.
The following supplements can be taken in combination with the recommendations listed above
It has been shown that taking this supplement can improve joint health and help aid the normal joint function it can also help reduce inflammation, which can help to reduce pain
Yes, What you use in curries!!! Or curcumin which is the active form of turmeric. This is known to reduce inflammation and has been found to be as good as ibuprofen.
Vitamin D with K2 can help aid with bone health, strength and aid with cartilage structure. Also, with the lack of sun in the winter months most of us are deficient in vitamin D this time of the year. This vitamin also plays an important role in regulating the bodies immunity and endocrine system.
*Please check with your healthcare provider before taking any supplements.
Last but not least, chiropractic treatment can help reduce the symptoms of hip arthritis such as pain and stiffness, it may also help reduced compensation of the surrounding muscles and joints. Research has shown that chiropractic treatment can be as or even more effective than a daily stretching programme.
Laser therapy can help to reduce inflammation around the joint, which is what causes pain.
Acupuncture can help reduce the muscle tension and spasm that can be caused by hip osteoarthritis.
Our amazing sports therapist, Cydney, has put together great ‘pre-habilitation’ programmes to help strengthen the joint before any hip replacement surgery, to give you the best chance of recovery. She also makes rehabilitation programmes for post-surgery.
Don’t just take our word for it, one of our patients here at back in shape chiropractic, Bev, says “the most important thing I got told and would pass on if you’re waiting for a hip replacement or suffering with hip arthritis is to do your exercises and rehab”.
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