What Causes Hip Pain That Radiates Down the Leg?

In 2019, a study revealed that 36.5% of adults surveyed had some sort of lower body pain, including hip pain. Many of those respondents have a medical issue that causes hip pain radiating down the leg.

If you are one of the unlucky people in this world with radiating hip pain, you are not alone. This type of pain is common for many people because of a few medical ailments. So, what causes hip pain that radiates down the leg? Read more about the medical diagnoses that cause this type of pain below:

Hip Bursitis

Everyone has bursae throughout the body, acting as small jelly-like cushions around the knees, hips, elbows, and shoulders. When someone has hip bursitis, it means the bursae around the hip are inflamed, causing pain. The pain usually starts out with sharp and intense spurts. As the disease progresses, it can cause radiating pain down the entire leg.

Causes of hip bursitis include:

• Repetitive or overused movements
• Hip surgery
• Spinal disease
• Unequal leg lengths
• Bone spurs
• Calcium deposits
• Arthritis

Sciatica

Sciatica is pain along the sciatic nerve, which runs from the lower back down the legs. This pain can cause radiating pain that starts anywhere along the nerve. Sciatica is largely due to herniated discs or overgrown bones. Other causes of sciatica include:

• Spinal stenosis
• Bone spurs
• Misaligned vertebrae

Arthritis

Arthritis is a term that refers to joint pain disease, but there are 100+ types of arthritis. Arthritis impacts people of all ages and genders. It is a debilitating disease that causes stiffness, swelling, and pain for most people.

Inflammation

Inflammation happens when your body fights against something. Inflammation can cause a lot of various issues, including radiating leg and hip pain. Many people with autoimmune disorders have inflammation throughout their bodies. Other diseases that can have inflammation symptoms include:

• Diabetes
• Arthritis
• Other joint disorders
• COPD
• Cardiovascular diseases
• Allergies

Chiropractic Treatment for Hip and Leg Pain:

Chiropractors use a variety of techniques to help relieve hip and leg pain. Many use a combination of techniques for maximum results. The most common chiropractic treatments include:

Therapies

Chiropractors use several therapies to treat hip pain. These include heat, ice, exercise, and ultrasound. Stretching, spinal traction, and muscle stimulation are also common therapies. Sometimes people are offered nutritional advice or referred to specialists to ensure all treatment options are explored.

Adjustments

During an adjustment, the chiropractor uses their hands, knees, elbows, or a small device to realign the spine. They apply controlled force to manipulate joints to promote healing, well-being, and reduced inflammation.

Massage

Massages are often an instrumental part of a chiropractic treatment plan. A massage helps the muscles to relax, meaning the treatment is more effective. Massages increase blood flow to the areas of the body worked on, which helps your joints to heal and become more flexible.

Posture Advice

Improper posture can worsen hip, leg, and other body pain. When working with a chiropractor, they often help patients get into the proper position through counseling or demonstration. This helps them develop a long-term, pain-free life.

Risks of Chiropractic Care

For most people, chiropractic care is completely safe when performed by a licensed medical professional. Some people, however, are not good candidates for this type of treatment. This is why it's essential you discuss your medical history and current health conditions during your first visit. The information helps the chiropractor determine if chiropractic care is appropriate for you.

In rare cases, it has negative side effects and risks. These include:

• Herniated discs
• Worsened symptoms
• Lower spine nerve compression
• Specific strokes after neck manipulation

What To Expect During Your First Visit:

If you are new to chiropractic care, you may not know what to expect on the first visit. After completing the forms, you will meet with our chiropractor to discuss your symptoms and concerns. During this consultation, we’ll discuss your family and medical history, learn more about your expectations for chiropractic care, and begin crafting a treatment plan.

You’ll then receive an exam and probably get X-rays taken. This allows the chiropractor to see what exactly is going on to determine if chiropractic care is appropriate for your condition. They can then complete the treatment plan and present it to you for approval.

If you continue with chiropractic care, you can complete your first session after your evaluation and consultation. This could be an adjustment, therapy, or soft tissue massage. The chiropractor will then instruct you on what to do at home and when to return for your next session.

What To Expect After Your First Session

Since the chiropractor will be manipulating your joints, it’s common to have side effects for a few days after an appointment. However, most people do not have symptoms after a session and report feeling better with improved symptoms immediately.

Some experience soreness or aches after a session. This symptom is generally short-lived and treated with an ice pack. Most people only feel this way for a few hours.

Occasionally, people have a headache or increased pain after a neck manipulation. This is because the pained area was manipulated and goes away with a little rest and an ice pack.

Many patients leave our office feeling more mobility and flexibility than they have in a long time. But, some patients do have a lot of fatigue after a session. This is the body’s way of promoting healing.

Increased blood flow after a joint manipulation can cause nausea in some people. This is a very rare side effect that doesn’t last long when it does happen.

Schedule an Appointment Today

Now you understand what causes hip pain that radiates down the leg. If you have been dealing with this pain, you don’t have to. A chiropractor may be able to help you! Relief may be just around the corner.

Cornerstone Chiropractic and Spine Center offers various services to help people live pain-free lives. We would love for you to visit us so we can help with your leg and hip pain. Call our office today to schedule an appointment.