Functional short leg is a fairly common condition that typically occurs due to inflexibility or muscle weakness at the pelvis, ankle, and foot complex. Runners sometimes experience the condition when running over certain surfaces that are unstable or not level. It can also occur due to inappropriate footwear.
This condition can cause pain in the lower spine, hips, buttock, and leg. If left untreated, it can lead to balance issues, neck and shoulder problems, and incorrect weight distribution. Chiropractic care has been proven to effectively treat functional leg syndrome.
Table of Contents
Patients with a functional short leg have an apparent short leg although structurally both legs are the same length when measured. The most common method for measuring leg length is from the medial malleolus (inside ankle bone) to the ASIS (front of the pelvis). When the legs are measured in the case of a functional short leg, they are equal in length.
Mothers who always carry a child on one hip or individuals who always sleep on the same side can experience functional short leg syndrome. In fact, any movement, posture, or activity that causes increased stresses on the joints, nerves, and muscles involved can create an imbalance.
Where with functional short leg syndrome one leg is apparently shorter than the other but not structurally so, an anatomical short leg is structurally shorter. This can happen due to growth problems, structural issues, and curvature of the spine.
The differences between the two conditions are significant, particularly when it comes to treatment. Both conditions can be treated by chiropractic for pain. Functional short leg syndrome can greatly benefit from chiropractic care as it helps to realign the body.
Functional short leg syndrome symptoms can remain confined to the leg, lower back, and hip region, or it can affect the entire body. When walking it can affect the way your feet hit the ground, causing pain in the foot and ankle.
However, it can even affect how you chew your food and how your teeth come together. When a person has short leg syndrome, they will often adjust their body in order to compensate, but that is when the real problems start. Symptoms of functional short leg syndrome include:
The human body is a marvelous, mysterious machine. When part of the machine is not working properly, the body will naturally attempt to fix it. If it cannot fix the problem, it finds a work around to compensate for the problem. This can lead to misalignment of the spine and imbalance in the body.
When you go to a chiropractor for functional short leg, he or she will do a thorough exam on you including diagnostic tests like MRI and x-ray. Once a diagnosis has been confirmed, the chiropractor will begin what is usually a multi-faceted approach that incorporates spinal alignment, a heel lift, lifestyle change recommendations, and exercises that you can do at home.
The chiropractic adjustments will return the spine to its natural position and bring the body back into balance. Patients will usually experience a dramatic decrease in pain or the pain will go away completely. They will also enjoy increased mobility and flexibility as well and an overall sense of wellness.
General Disclaimer, Licenses and Board Certifications *
Professional Scope of Practice *
The information herein on "Functional Short Leg And Chiropractic Care | El Paso, TX." is not intended to replace a one-on-one relationship with a qualified health care professional or licensed physician and is not medical advice. We encourage you to make healthcare decisions based on your research and partnership with a qualified healthcare professional.
Blog Information & Scope Discussions
Welcome to El Paso's Premier Wellness and Injury Care Clinic & Wellness Blog, where Dr. Alex Jimenez, DC, FNP-C, a Multi-State board-certified Family Practice Nurse Practitioner (FNP-BC) and Chiropractor (DC), presents insights on how our multidisciplinary team is dedicated to holistic healing and personalized care. Our practice aligns with evidence-based treatment protocols inspired by integrative medicine principles, similar to those on this site and on our family practice-based chiromed.com site, focusing on naturally restoring health for patients of all ages.
Our areas of multidisciplinary practice include Wellness & Nutrition, Chronic Pain, Personal Injury, Auto Accident Care, Work Injuries, Back Injury, Low Back Pain, Neck Pain, Migraine Headaches, Sports Injuries, Severe Sciatica, Scoliosis, Complex Herniated Discs, Fibromyalgia, Chronic Pain, Complex Injuries, Stress Management, Functional Medicine Treatments, and in-scope care protocols.
Our information scope is multidisciplinary, focusing on musculoskeletal and physical medicine; wellness; contributing etiological viscerosomatic disturbances within clinical presentations; associated somato-visceral reflex clinical dynamics; subluxation complexes; sensitive health issues; and functional medicine articles, topics, and discussions.
We provide and present clinical collaboration with specialists from various disciplines. Each specialist follows their professional scope of practice and licensure jurisdiction. We use functional health & wellness protocols to treat and support care for musculoskeletal injuries or disorders.
Our videos, posts, topics, and insights address clinical matters and issues that directly or indirectly relate to our clinical scope of practice.
Our office has made a reasonable effort to provide supportive citations and has identified relevant research studies that support our posts. We provide copies of supporting research studies upon request to regulatory boards and the public.
For further discussion on how this information relates to specific care plans or treatment protocols, please ask Dr. Alex Jimenez, DC, APRN, FNP-BC, or contact us at 915-850-0900.
We are here to help you and your family.
Blessings
Dr. Alex Jimenez DC, MSACP, APRN, FNP-BC*, CCST, IFMCP, CFMP, ATN
Email: coach@elpasofunctionalmedicine.com
Multidisciplinary Licensing & Board Certifications:
Licensed as a Doctor of Chiropractic (DC) in Texas & New Mexico*
Chiropractic Licenses:
Texas DC License #: TX5807, Verified: TX5807
New Mexico DC License #: NM-DC2182, Verified: NM-DC2182
Nurse Practitioner Licenses:
Texas APRN License #: 1191402, Verified: 1191402 *
New Mexico CNP License #: 90560, Verified 90560
Florida APRN License #: 11043890, Verified: APRN11043890 *
Colorado License #: C-APN.0105610-C-NP, Verified: C-APN.0105610-C-NP
New York License #: N25929, Verified N25929
Georgia APRN License #: GAA-NP005701
Multi-State Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN*) Texas & Multi-States
Multi-state Compact APRN License by Endorsement (43 States)
Compact Status: Multi-State License: Authorized to Practice in 43 States*
Nursing Licensure Compact: Updated Here
DEA Registration: (Drug Enforcement Agency Registered)
All medical (MDs) and family practice providers (FNP-APRN) are registered and licensed to offer various levels of medication.
Verify Providers Here
License Verification Link: Nursys License Verifier
* Prescriptive Authority Authorized (DEA Registered Providers). Call if Required
Board Certification:
ANCC FNP-BC: Board Certified Nurse Practitioner*
Education:
Graduate with Honors: ICHS: MSN-FNP (Family Nurse Practitioner Program)
Degree Granted. Master's in Family Practice, MSN Diploma (Cum Laude)
Dr. Alex Jimenez, DC, APRN, FNP-BC*, CFMP, IFMCP, ATN, CCST
(Board Certified: Family Practice Nurse Practitioner—Multistate)*
(Licensed Nurse Practitioner & Chiropractor - Multistate)*
Clinical Director
DC & FNP License (Review Above)
Digital Business Card
NPI: 1205907805
Dr. Maria Cardenas, MD
(Board Certified: Internal Medicine)
(Licensed Medical Doctor)
Medical Director, Clinical Director & Collaborative Physician
NPI # 1164426748
MD License #: J2933
Licenses and Board Certifications:
MD: Medical Doctor
DC: Doctor of Chiropractic
APRNP: Advanced Practice Registered Nurse
FNP-BC: Family Practice Specialization (Multi-State Board Certified)
FNP-BC: Family Practice Across Life Span (Neonatal to Geriatrics)
RN: Registered Nurse (Multi-State Compact License)
CFMP: Certified Functional Medicine Provider
MSN-FNP: Master of Science in Family Practice Medicine
MSACP: Master of Science in Advanced Clinical Practice
IFMCP: Institute of Functional Medicine
CCST: Certified Chiropractic Spinal Trauma
ATN: Advanced Translational Neutrogenomics
Family with Primary Care Focus (Family Nurse Practitioner or FNP)
Memberships & Associations:
TCA: Texas Chiropractic Association: Member ID: 104311
TNA: Texas Nurse Association: Member ID: 06458222
TNP: Texas Nurse Practitioner Association ID: 2025091511
AANP: American Association of Nurse Practitioners: Member ID: 2198960
ANA: American Nurses Association: Member ID: 06458222 (District TX01)
| Primary Taxonomy | Selected Taxonomy | State | License Number |
|---|---|---|---|
| No | 111N00000X - Chiropractor | NM | DC2182 |
| Yes | 111N00000X - Chiropractor | TX | DC5807 |
| Yes | 363LF0000X - Nurse Practitioner - Family | TX | 1191402 |
| Yes | 363LF0000X - Nurse Practitioner - Family | FL | 11043890 |
| Yes | 363LF0000X - Nurse Practitioner - Family | CO | C-APN.0105610-C-NP |
| Yes | 363LF0000X - Nurse Practitioner - Family | NY | N25929 |
| Yes | 363LF0000X - Nurse Practitioner - Family | NM | 90560 |
| Yes | 363LF0000X - Nurse Practitioner - Family | GA | GAA-NP005701 |
Dr. Alex Jimenez, DC, APRN, FNP-BC*, CFMP, IFMCP, ATN, CCST
(Board Certified: Family Practice Nurse Practitioner—Multistate)*
(Primary Care Across Lifespan—Neonatal / Pediatric / Adult / Geriatrics)
(Licensed Nurse Practitioner & Chiropractor - Multistate)*
Clinical Director
Digital Business Card
NPI: 1205907805
Dr. Maria Cardenas, MD
(Board Certified: Internal Medicine)*
(Licensed Medical Doctor)*
Medical Director, Clinical Director & Collaborative Physician
NPI # 1164426748
MD License #: J2933
📆 Schedule Appointment: Schedule 24/7 (Click Here)
Beyond Burnout: Functional Medicine Clues Behind Fatigue, Brain Fog, Poor Sleep, and Metabolic Strain in… Read More
By Dr. Alex Jimenez, DC, APRN, FNP-BC, CFMP, IFMCP, ATN, CCST Read More
Subcutaneous Testosterone Injections and Androgen Physiology in Women Abstract Testosterone is often described as a… Read More
By Dr. Alex Jimenez, DC, APRN, FNP-BC, CFMP, IFMCP, ATN, CCST Read More
Understanding and Treating Occipital Neuritis: An Integrative Approach Abstract Welcome to our educational series. I'm… Read More
SubQ Testosterone for Women’s Hormone Support Abstract Testosterone is an important hormone in women's health,… Read More