Can Chiropractic Adjustments Relieve Hip and Pelvic Pain?

Understanding the Difference Between Hip and Pelvic Pain

The short answer is a resounding “yes.” Before going any further, it is helpful to clarify what is meant by the hip, as distinct from the pelvis. People often confuse the two, and that confusion can sometimes prevent proper resolution of the problem. The hip is the ball-and-socket joint that hinges in the front of the pelvis and allows for a wide range of movement. This joint plays an important role in walking, standing, bending, and many daily movements.

The pelvis, by contrast, consists of three bones connected by articulations (joints) and sits between the hip joints and the lower back. The spine rests on one of the pelvic bones called the sacrum. In the illustration below you will see a picture of the pelvis with the two Ilia connecting together in the pubic area (front midline) and in the back at the sacroiliac joints on either side.

How the Hip and Pelvic Joints Function

While the hip joints are extremely mobile, the joints of the pelvis are built more for stability, although they do allow for some movement. There is very little motion where the pelvis joins in the front, and slightly more movement occurs at the sacroiliac joints in the back.

All of these joints—both hip and pelvis—are susceptible to issues such as:

• Degenerative changes like arthritis
• Inflammation
• Joint dysfunction or misalignment
• Other underlying structural conditions

Chiropractic care focuses on restoring proper movement and alignment to joints that may not be functioning optimally.

How Chiropractors Identify Hip and Pelvic Misalignment

In almost every patient seen in our clinic, we evaluate the movement and alignment of both the hips and pelvic joints. Hip joint misalignments can often be detected by moving the joint through its full range of motion and testing associated muscles. Usually the hip flexing muscles will be weak when a hip joint is misaligned. Similarly, the outside muscles of the pelvis will be
weak when the sacroiliac joints are misaligned. Whether through the process of feeling for joint motion, muscle testing, x-ray analysis, or feeling the surrounding musculature, misalignments
of the hip and pelvis are easily detectable. When we detect hip and pelvic misalignments, we direct chiropractic adjustments to those areas and very often we will see a rapid and complete
resolution of the problem.

A Real Example of Hip Alignment Affecting Back Pain

I’ll give you a short anecdote to illustrate this point.

Some years ago, a man came to me complaining of chronic lower back pain that began after he served as a member of a Blackhawk helicopter crew whose aircraft crashed during his deployment in Afghanistan 10 years earlier. He had been taking opioids, was unable to work, and sometimes relied on a wheelchair due to his pain.

During his new patient examination, I detected a misalignment of his right hip. After adjusting the hip, he returned the following week for his report visit and explained that his long-standing back pain had dramatically improved after the adjustment.

While this is certainly an extreme example, it highlights how hip and pelvic alignment can influence pain patterns in other areas of the body.

Schedule an Appointment

Schedule an appointment today with the team at Chiropractic Health and Wellness in Edina, MN if you are experiencing hip or pelvic pain. A thorough evaluation can help determine whether joint misalignment or mobility restrictions may be contributing to your discomfort and whether chiropractic care may help improve movement and function.

Frequently Asked Questions

What causes hip and pelvic pain?

Hip and pelvic pain can develop from joint misalignment, arthritis, muscle strain, inflammation, sacroiliac joint dysfunction, or injuries such as falls or sports accidents.

Can chiropractic adjustments help with hip pain?

Chiropractic adjustments may help restore joint movement, reduce restriction, and improve biomechanics in the hip and pelvic joints.

What is the sacroiliac joint?

The sacroiliac joint connects the sacrum (base of the spine) to the pelvic bones. Dysfunction in this joint can contribute to lower back, hip, or pelvic discomfort.

How do chiropractors detect hip misalignment?

Chiropractors evaluate joint motion, muscle strength, posture, and sometimes imaging such as x-rays to determine whether the hip or pelvic joints are functioning properly.

When should you see a chiropractor for hip pain?

If hip or pelvic pain persists, limits movement, or interferes with daily activities, a chiropractic evaluation may help determine the underlying cause.