El Paso Functional Medicine
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Scoliosis and Hip Pain

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Scoliosis causes the spinal curvature to go sideways and can cause various symptoms. One of the most common symptoms is scoliosis hip pain. This happens because the spine’s curvature can pull the hips out of alignment, causing one side to be raised higher than the other. A result of this is one hip begins to take on more weight. This overloads the hip causing strain, soreness, aches, and pain, especially after standing or walking.

Scoliosis and Hip Pain

Scoliosis Hip Pain

Idiopathic scoliosis typically occurs in children, but often there are no pain symptoms. This type of scoliosis can go on unnoticed and undiagnosed for years even until adulthood. When the spine stops growing, even a small scoliosis curve can cause hip pain. The hip pain varies but generally presents with:

  • Sharp pain.
  • Throbbing pain.
  • Pain that increases with activity like walking, running, standing for a long time.
  • Stiffness with combined pain after sitting or lying down for a long time.
  • Sciatica.
  • Numbness.
  • Tingling.
  • Tight hip flexors.

The amount of pain depends on:

  • The misalignment severity.
  • The type of scoliosis – degenerative or idiopathic.
  • Bodyweight. Individuals that are obese are more likely to have severe hip pain because of the added weight.
  • Activity level. Physical activity can cause the pain to worsen.
  • Lifestyle.
  • It varies from person to person.

The Higher Hip

When scoliosis has progressed enough, the curvature and uneven hips are pretty apparent. However, only around 10% of scoliosis cases get this far. If the curvature is minimal, which is usually the case, trying to determine which hip is higher usually requires medical assistance.

  • The hip that presents with pain is generally the one taking on more weight.
  • This causes the muscles to fatigue faster and places added stress on that hip joint.
  • A way to tell which hip is higher stand on bare feet in front of a mirror holding a piece of yarn, or string with both hands.
  • Place the heel of each hand on the corresponding hip bone.
  • The string will be tilted if the hips are uneven or will be straight if they are not.

Adult Scoliosis

Hip pain caused by scoliosis is most common in adults. However, it is not the only cause of hip pain. Unless diagnosed with scoliosis as a child, individuals may be suffering from de novo scoliosis or degenerative scoliosis.

De Novo/Degenerative Scoliosis

As the body ages, the spinal discs between the vertebrae begin to wear down. The worn-down discs can cause the spine to develop a sideways curve, that can pull the hips out of alignment. Studies are showing that this type of scoliosis is widespread. Loss of bone density can be a contributor to scoliosis in older adults. Bone density loss from menopause means women are more susceptible than men. Past the age of 70, both men and women lose on average, the same amount of bone density. There are effective integrative, natural treatment therapies that incorporate:

  • Exercises
  • Nutrition
  • Posture correction
  • Chiropractic
  • Physical therapy

Scoliosis Hip Exercises

For uneven hips, there are exercises to help relieve pain and strengthen weak muscles.

Hip Stretch

  • Lie on the back with both legs straight out.
  • Lift the right leg
  • Using the hands pull the knee toward you, keeping the foot pointed up.
  • Pull the knee to your chest as far as you can without causing discomfort or pain.
  • Hold for 5 to 8 seconds.
  • Release.
  • Switch to the other leg.
  • Repeat 4 to 6 times on each leg.

Wide Leg Stretch

  • Sit on the floor with the legs as wide as they can go.
  • With the right hand, reach toward the left foot, touching if possible.
  • Return to the original position.
  • With the left hand, reach toward the right foot.
  • Repeat 6 to 8 times.

Chiropractic

If misaligned and uneven hips are causing pain, chiropractic care for scoliosis is recommended. Spine and hip realignments help relieve pain, stretch the muscles, and corrects posture. One study showed that multi-approach chiropractic for adult scoliosis was found to be beneficial even two years after treatment was finished. Injury Medical Chiropractic and Functional Medicine Clinic can help with recommending nutrition and lifestyle tips. Instead of just treating symptoms, our team helps manage the cause.


Body Composition


Body Analysis for Disease Prevention

Early identification of disease is imperative for developing the proper treatment plan. Testing can help improve long-term health outcomes. Testing is made easy with the data being easily implemented into patient management software. A comprehensive printout is ready for engaging and educating patients in understanding health risk management and reduction. In 60 seconds, an InBody Test will generate easy-to-understand, accurate, and objective measurements to evaluate potential disease risk. Medical providers can use the InBody to:

  • Monitor muscle, and visceral fat to provide an accurate measure of health risk.
  • Monitor muscle distribution to determine specific health risks related to diseases.
  • Identify fluid imbalances associated with certain diseases.
  • Track changes for effective long-term risk identification and reduction.
References

www.aafp.org/afp/2001/0701/p111.html#afp20010701p111-b1

link.springer.com/content/pdf/10.1007/s00586-020-06453-0.pdf

www.healthline.com/health/uneven-hips

www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1556370711000915

Post Disclaimer

Professional Scope of Practice *

The information herein on "Scoliosis and Hip Pain" 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.

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Our information scope is limited to Chiropractic, musculoskeletal, physical medicines, wellness, contributing etiological viscerosomatic disturbances within clinical presentations, associated somatovisceral reflex clinical dynamics, subluxation complexes, sensitive health issues, and/or functional medicine articles, topics, and discussions.

We provide and present clinical collaboration with specialists from various disciplines. Each specialist is governed by their professional scope of practice and their jurisdiction of licensure. We use functional health & wellness protocols to treat and support care for the injuries or disorders of the musculoskeletal system.

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Blessings

Dr. Alex Jimenez DC, MSACP, RN*, CCST, IFMCP*, CIFM*, ATN*

email: coach@elpasofunctionalmedicine.com

Licensed as a Doctor of Chiropractic (DC) in Texas & New Mexico*
Texas DC License # TX5807, New Mexico DC License # NM-DC2182

Licensed as a Registered Nurse (RN*) in Florida
Florida License RN License # RN9617241 (Control No. 3558029)
License Compact Status: Multi-State License: Authorized to Practice in 40 States*
Presently Matriculated: ICHS: MSN* FNP (Family Nurse Practitioner Program)

Dr. Alex Jimenez DC, MSACP, RN* CIFM*, IFMCP*, ATN*, CCST
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