Hip & Leg Pain
HIP PAIN IS NOT HIP
Hip and leg pain after an auto crash are often caused by back injuries. Because the hip is a ball and socket joint, there are many different types of soft tissues and nerves that travel through the hip area to connect the spine with the lower half of the body.
An auto crash has the potential to misalign a person’s spine, which may cause a significant amount of pain to both the hips and legs. Auto crash injuries may also cause muscle strains in the hip, pelvis, and lower back areas that can also produce painful back spasms. Typically, doctors prescribe medications to reduce pain. However, that doesn’t resolve the underlying condition with the spine or hip injuries. For that, it is recommended that you schedule an appointment with a chiropractor.
If you are continually suffering from hip and leg pain, you may be experiencing a condition that is affecting the bone structure, the lumbar spine, or the nerves that are attached to the spine. Once the pain begins, your first priority should be to schedule an evaluation with a chiropractor who understands and is experienced in hip and leg pain. Chiropractors have necessary training to treat many conditions that involve the back and hips.
WHAT CAN CAUSE HIP & LEG PAIN?
HOW DO CHIROPRACTORS ASSESS HIP AND LEG PAIN?
When a patient is suffering from hip and leg pain, a chiropractor will typically want to closely examine x-rays or MRI scans and perform a physical examination to make a proper assessment. Measuring the pain is actually one of most difficult things to do for doctors because it’s about communication, and establishing a dialogue about pain between the patient and doctor can be challenging based on the amount of information to obtain in a short amount of time.
Doctors will assess the pain and determine if it is intermittent or constant, what type of pain is occurring (e.g., stabbing, burning, etc.), what triggers pain, when pain is more likely to occur during the day, and how much pain the patient is in on a scale of 0-10. After establishing a dialogue of the patient’s situation and understanding the extent of the pain, doctors will inquire about previous treatments and any medications being taken.
Some doctors may ask the patient to keep a journal of the pain that demonstrates the level of pain that occurs. This will help them better understand the patterns of the condition. A good assessment will help doctors understand what type of treatment will best suit the patient and help relieve the amount of stress they have.
Don’t let hip and leg pain prevent you from participating in life! Depending on your condition, a chiropractor can help. Schedule your free exam today.