HIP & LEG PAIN

The hips and legs support the body and move our weight from place to place. The hips and legs are called on to hold us upright for many hours at a time, to walk or run, bend and stoop, and stretch into countless unusual positions. At times we may even use our legs as an extra hand to close a door or move a difficult object. Heavy lifting must be done primarily with the legs to avoid lower back strain. Is it any wonder, when we realize the job they perform, that the hips and legs become victims to many problems, including discomfort and often severe pain.

MEDICAL TREATMENT

Correcting the cause is the only way to effectively treat hip and leg pain. All the pain pills, muscle relaxers, anti-inflammatory drugs and other medications that are usually prescribed by the medical profession to relieve the pain will do little or nothing to correct the cause of hip and leg pain. When drugs do not correct the condition, physical therapy, exercises and sometimes braces are used in addition to the drugs. When that fails to bring satisfactory results, in severe cases, surgery may be recommended. Since hip and leg pain is most frequently caused by a "pinched nerve" (nerve irritation) and nerve irritation is primarily caused by subluxation, correcting the subluxation is likely the only treatment that will correct the cause of the hip and leg pain. Masking the pain with pain killing drugs, muscle relaxers or anti-inflammatory drugs or surgery is not the answer. At times medical intervention and even surgery may be necessary. However, drugs have side effects that are sometimes very severe, and surgery is a procedure of last resort with many complications.

WHAT CAN CAUSE HIP AND LEG PAIN?

Nerves from the spinal cord exit between the vertebrae of the lower spine and go to the hips and down the legs to the feet. The longest and largest of these nerves is the sciatic nerve. The sciatic nerve divides into smaller nerves as it travels down the leg, to reach the muscles and joints of the leg all the way down to the toes. When this nerve is irritated or inflamed, the condition is called sciatica. Not all leg pain is sciatica, but most all sciatica results in leg pain. Sciatica can be one of the most painful conditions a person can suffer. Problems with the sacroiliac joints can cause back, hip and leg pain. The sacroiliac (51) joints are formed where the sacrum fits between and joins the two ileum (hip bones) left and right together. Problems with the 51 joint can cause pain in the hip, the buttocks, or thigh. Some authorities think problems with the 51 joint may be the primary cause of pain in the thighs, buttocks, lower back and hips. Malfunction of the 51 joint seems to be the most prevalent cause of back pain. When there is a severe pain down the leg, the first thought should be "sacroiliac" not "disc". Problems with the hip, knee, ankle, foot or toe joints can precipitate pain. This may be from disease such as arthritis or from mechanical disorders caused by falls and accidents resulting in muscle strain, joint sprain, cuts, bruises or broken bones. The hips and legs support the body and move our weight from place to place. The hips and legs are called on to hold us upright for many hours at a time, to walk or run, bend and stoop, and stretch into countless unusual positions. At times we may even use our legs as an extra hand to close a door or move a difficult object. Hip and leg pain does not always mean trouble where the pain is felt. Often, the problem arises else-where and the pain is referred to the hip and leg. Lower back injuries often result in more hip and leg pain than back pain. A protruding disc can irritate the sciatic nerve which may result in leg pain. Disease or inappropriate function of the pelvic organs may refer pain to the hip and legs. Advanced diabetes can cause inflammation of the sciatic nerve resulting in leg pain. Most conditions that can precipitate hip and leg pain, and there are more than those mentioned above, have at least one thing in common-nerve irritation. Nerves from the spinal cord exit between the vertebrae of the lower spine and go to the hips and down the leg to the feet. There are two types of nerves: motor and sensory. Motor nerves carry messages from the brain to the hips and legs and control their function. Sensory nerves carry messages of sensation-pain, numbness, tingling, pins-and-needles, heat, cold and all other feelings including tactile (the sense of touch) from the hips and legs to the brain. When spinal vertebrae or other joints of the body misalign even slightly, or their normal mobility is I altered, sensory and motor nerves can be irritated or : even damaged. This is known as a biomechanical lesion or subluxation complex commonly shortened to just ...subluxation. Chiropractors have found subluxations to be one of the most common causes of nerve irritation, thus one of the most common contributing factors in hip and leg pain.

CHIROPRACTIC CARE

Chiropractic is not an extra strength" pain pill" that only provides temporary relief, if at all, by blocking the feeling of pain. Chiropractic is not a treatment specifically for hip and leg pain. In spite of this, people that suffer with hip and leg pain are seeking chiropractic care in greater numbers than ever because chiropractors treat one of the most common causes of hip and leg pain -"pinched nerves" resulting from subluxation -and have a high level of patient satisfaction among patients with hip and leg pain. Chiropractors are the most qualified health care professionals, because of training and experience, to analyze and treat vertebral subluxations that are, the number one cause of "pinched nerves." Today, because of our stressful lifestyle, poor eating habits, environmental pollution, lack of proper exercise, etc., millions are suffering from subluxations and nerve irritation. Subluxations can irritate the nerves and create interference with the forces that control and coordinate the body. This condition can cause malfunction in the body and lead to diseases-hip and leg problems included, and many people may not even know they have a problem until the symptoms become severe and in some cases so severe it is too late for complete restoration of health. Why? Because:

THE ABSENCE OF PAIN DOES NOT NECESSARILY MEAN THE PRESENCE OF HEALTH

Pain is not a disease process, it is only a symptom. You can have a serious health problem with or without pain. Only sensory nerves carry pain messages and pain (in this case, hip and leg) is felt only when these nerves are irritated. People without pain might be considered unfortunate because they think the absence of pain means they are healthy and may delay proper treatment. Those that do have pain: should not eliminate or cover up the pain with pain killing drugs. This does nothing to correct the cause and may delay proper treatment. The cause must be corrected before long-lasting relief and health can be Restored. Therefore, It IS Important to understand that the absence of pain does not necessarily mean the presence of health.

THE SPINAL CHECKUP

Doctors of chiropractic analyze the spinal column and other joints of the body for the subluxations that can affect nerves, bones, muscles, even blood and lymph vessels. A spinal checkup should be done periodically even if you feel fine because spinal subluxations may be causing serious harm to your body-sometimes for years-without your knowledge. If your chiropractor finds you have subluxations, specific manipulation techniques (without drugs or surgery) will be used to correct the subluxation and relieve the nerve irritation. This allows normal flow of nerve impulses that contributes to the restoration of normal function and health. This procedure is called a chiropractic adjustment. The direct purpose of the chiropractic spinal adjustment is to reduce nerve irritation. This allows the body to restore itself to a greater level of health and in the process relieves pain.

DON'T DELAY PROPER TREATMENT -CONSULT YOUR DOCTOR OF CHIROPRACTIC ...NOW!

When you have hip and leg pain, or anyone of hundreds of named conditions or a pain without a name, delaying proper treatment is dangerous and can result in a major health problem. Seek a chiropractic examination immediately to see if yours is a condition which comes within the scope of chiropractic. The pain you suffer may be because the cause of the pain has been ignored and proper treatment has been delayed. Even if you are seeing other health care providers, it is still advisable to see a chiropractor to make sure your spine is subluxation free and your nervous system is functioning normally because everyone needs a healthy nervous system.

Chiropractic Gets Results ..

Patient Satisfaction Proves It!