Did you know that hip pain is related to back pain? It may seem odd, but there’s a major group of muscles that links up our lower back, pelvis, and the tops of our legs, and when those muscles get strained, they can cause a lot of soreness. Dr. Peter Lazarnick (Dr. Pete) runs a chiropractic office in Carrollton where we offer numerous treatments for soft tissue problems, including hip flexor pain, but a full recovery will likely require a patient to participate in physical therapy and make a few lifestyle adjustments for more holistic health.
Two of the most important muscles for stabilizing the lumbar vertebrae are the psoas major muscles. There is one on each side of the body, and they form a link between the lower spine and the tops of each femur. People who participate in martial arts, step teams, soccer, or running are especially likely to overtextend one of these muscles or one of the smaller ones linking the pelvis to the femur. When that happens, the hip flexors will feel especially sore if a person brings their leg up to their trunk, as you would do when tying your shoe. The muscles in this group may also be reacting to a mechanical problem in the hip joint that would cause them to tighten, increasing the risk of fraying on their tendons.
In the immediate aftermath of an injury, you should engage RICE protocol (rest, ice, compression, elevation). But keeping your legs still for more than a few days will cause the tendons and ligaments to further tighten. At our chiropractic office, we can help loosen muscles and reduce inflammation through non-addictive, non-invasive means, including muscle energy technique and electric muscle stimulation. We can also provide hand and machine-delivered chiropractic adjustments in case a joint misalignment is contributing to pressure on the hip flexor muscles and we can advise patients on varying their workouts to avoid overusing this muscle group in the future.
Dr. Peter Lazarnick is located at 486 Bankhead Hwy, Carrollton, Georgia, 30117. To schedule an appointment, call 770-832-2226 or visit www.askdrpete.com.