Chiropractic Care for Knee and Hip Pain

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Chiropractic physicians are experts in musculoskeletal issues, and they treat people every day who experience pain in their hips and knees. Their approach to treatment differs from other medical providers, however, in that chiropractors emphasize posture and kinetic chain evaluation and assessment of the spine and nervous system first to get to the root cause of hip and knee pain. In this manner, the hands-on treatment provided can effect change where it matters most and makes lasting change. Chiropractors use palpation to locate regions of subluxation in the spine which relate to injured nerves serving the hips and knees, usually in the lumbar spine.

A subluxation of a joint occurs when the joint suffers injury from improper posture or injury or overuse; resultant inflammation causes pain and swelling occur, which walls off the injured area to reduce instability. Left untreated, however, swelling and inflammation have adverse side effects including pain, reduced range of motion, tissue and ligament and tendon damage and overall joint instability. Muscles surrounding areas of subluxation become tense and inflexible. Spinal subluxation in the lumbar spine results in nerve irritation from the caustic effects of joint inflammation, as well as from the space-occupying swelling that puts pressure on lumbar nerves serving the hips and knees.  Spinal degeneration occurs over time resulting in bony overgrowths in the spine itself, affecting the small nerve pathways from the spinal cord to the spinal nerve exits called intervertebral foreman. It is best to visit a chiropractor early when symptoms arise and periodically for spinal and extremity joint evaluation because damage can accrue over time and may not respond to chiropractic intervention. 

The goal of the chiropractic adjustment is to realign the spine using hands-on, or hand-held machine-assisted techniques called adjustments or mobilizations which move the spine back into alignment. Chiropractors adjust joints such as the hips and knees as well, helping these extremities move and function better.  In addition to moving the spine and other joints, the adjustment also quick stretches connected muscles and ligaments which resets their core structure back to a pre-injured state. This adjustment improves posture and joint mobility, relaxes surrounding tissues, and restores ligamentous integrity. People who get adjusted report that it feels great- over time, their nerves return to normal as inflammation decreases, and the nerve pathway is unfettered. Hip and knee pain respond to chiropractic care very well because it is a holistic procedure that attends to the connected parts in the body- the spine, the hips, the legs, knees, feet, and ankles.  

Schedule a spinal check-up with a chiropractor in Chapel Hill, NC today for your hip and knee pain or other healthcare condition. They can help you on your road to recovery.

Thanks to Acupractic Natural Healing Center at Eastowne for their insight into chiropractic care and knee and hip pain.