Hip pain can turn simple activities into daily challenges. Getting out of a chair, climbing stairs, even walking across a parking lot—when your hip hurts, everything takes more effort.
If you’re dealing with persistent hip discomfort in Montgomery County, chiropractic care may offer the relief you’ve been looking for. At ChiroMed Crawfordsville, Dr. Jeff McIntyre takes a comprehensive approach to hip pain that goes beyond temporary fixes.
What’s Actually Causing Your Hip Pain?
The hip joint is one of the largest weight-bearing joints in the body, and that means a lot can go wrong. Some of the most common causes of hip pain we see at our Crawfordsville practice include:
Osteoarthritis is the leading culprit for many adults, especially those over 50. Years of wear and tear break down the protective cartilage, leading to stiffness, aching, and reduced range of motion. Research published in the Journal of Chiropractic Medicine shows that chiropractic manipulation combined with mobilization and stretching can improve hip function and reduce disability in osteoarthritis patients.
Bursitis occurs when the fluid-filled sacs that cushion the hip become inflamed. This often causes pain on the outer hip that worsens with prolonged sitting or lying on the affected side.
Muscle imbalances and tightness in the hip flexors, glutes, or surrounding muscles can create pulling forces that stress the joint. Sitting for long periods—something most of us do too much of—contributes significantly to this problem.
Referred pain from the lower back is more common than many people realize. Spinal misalignments or disc issues in the lumbar region can send pain signals down into the hip and leg, mimicking a true hip problem.
SI joint dysfunction affects the sacroiliac joints where your spine connects to your pelvis. Problems here often feel like deep hip or buttock pain and can be mistaken for hip joint issues.
The Hip-Spine Connection Most People Miss
Here’s something that surprises many patients: hip pain doesn’t always originate in the hip.
Your lower back, pelvis, and hips work together as an interconnected system. When one area isn’t functioning properly, the others compensate—and that compensation often leads to pain.
Consider how you walk. Each step requires coordinated movement through your lumbar spine, sacroiliac joints, and both hip joints. If your pelvis is slightly rotated or your lower back is restricted, your hip absorbs extra stress with every single step. Over months and years, that adds up.
This is why a thorough evaluation matters. At ChiroMed, we don’t just look at where it hurts. We assess your entire kinetic chain—how your spine, pelvis, and lower extremities move together—to identify the actual source of your problem.
How Chiropractic Care Addresses Hip Pain
Chiropractic treatment for hip pain involves several approaches, often used in combination:
Spinal and pelvic adjustments restore proper alignment to the lower back and sacroiliac joints. When these areas move correctly, stress on the hip decreases.
Hip joint mobilization uses gentle, controlled movements to improve range of motion in the hip itself. For patients with arthritis or stiffness, this can make a noticeable difference in daily comfort.
Soft tissue therapy addresses the muscles surrounding the hip. Tight hip flexors, piriformis syndrome, and IT band issues all respond well to targeted manual therapy. Our massage therapy services complement chiropractic adjustments by releasing chronic muscle tension.
Functional rehabilitation strengthens the muscles that support your hip and core. This is a critical piece that many treatment approaches miss. Adjustments provide relief, but building strength prevents the problem from returning. Our rehabilitation programs are designed specifically for this purpose.
Signs Your Hip Pain Needs Professional Attention
Some hip discomfort resolves on its own with rest. But certain symptoms warrant an evaluation:
- Pain that persists beyond two weeks despite home care
- Stiffness that limits your ability to put on shoes or socks
- Limping or favoring one leg when you walk
- Pain that disturbs your sleep
- Grinding or clicking sensations in the joint
- Hip pain accompanied by lower back pain
If you’ve noticed your activity level declining because of hip discomfort—skipping walks, avoiding stairs, sitting out activities you used to enjoy—that’s a clear signal something needs to change.
What to Expect at Your First Visit
When you come to ChiroMed for hip pain, Dr. Jeff starts with a comprehensive evaluation. This includes reviewing your health history, discussing when the pain started and what makes it better or worse, and performing orthopedic and neurological tests.
Range of motion testing reveals how well your hip is moving compared to normal. Palpation identifies areas of muscle tension, joint restriction, or tenderness. Gait analysis shows how your hip pain affects your walking pattern.
In some cases, imaging may be recommended to rule out conditions that require different treatment approaches. We want to make sure chiropractic care is appropriate for your specific situation.
Based on the findings, Dr. Jeff develops a treatment plan tailored to your condition, goals, and lifestyle. For most hip pain cases, patients notice improvement within the first few weeks of care.
Beyond Pain Relief: Maintaining Hip Health
Getting out of pain is the immediate goal. Staying out of pain is the long-term mission.
This is where ChiroMed’s Three Pillars of Health philosophy comes in. We address wellness through alignment, core stability, and healthy lifestyle choices. For hip pain specifically, this means:
Alignment keeps your spine and pelvis properly positioned so your hip doesn’t absorb excessive stress.
Core stability ensures the muscles supporting your hip and lower back are strong enough to handle daily demands without breaking down.
Movement habits matter more than most people realize. Simple changes—how you sit at work, stretches you do in the morning, exercises that strengthen weak areas—compound over time into significant improvements.
Many patients who initially came to us for hip pain relief continue with periodic maintenance care. They’ve found that staying ahead of problems is easier than constantly reacting to flare-ups.
Additional Treatment Options
For stubborn hip conditions that need extra support, ChiroMed offers advanced therapies:
Shockwave therapy stimulates healing in chronic soft tissue problems around the hip, including bursitis and tendinopathy.
E-stim therapy helps reduce pain and promote muscle recovery, particularly useful during the acute phase of treatment.
Spinal decompression may be appropriate when hip pain is actually referred from lumbar disc problems.
These therapies complement chiropractic adjustments, allowing us to address hip pain from multiple angles.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a chiropractor actually help with hip pain? Yes. Chiropractors are trained in diagnosing and treating musculoskeletal conditions affecting the hip, pelvis, and spine. Many hip pain cases respond well to chiropractic care, particularly when the pain involves joint dysfunction, muscle imbalance, or referred pain from the lower back.
How many visits will I need? This varies based on the cause and severity of your condition. Acute hip pain from a recent strain may resolve in a few visits. Chronic conditions like osteoarthritis typically require a longer treatment course, followed by periodic maintenance. Dr. Jeff will give you a realistic estimate after your initial evaluation.
Is chiropractic treatment for hip pain covered by insurance? Most insurance plans cover chiropractic care, including Medicare. We also work with auto accident claims and workers’ compensation cases. Our office can verify your benefits before treatment begins.
Should I use heat or ice for hip pain at home? Generally, ice works better for acute pain or inflammation (the first 48-72 hours after an injury). Heat helps with chronic stiffness and muscle tension. Dr. Jeff can give you specific recommendations based on your condition.
Take the Next Step
Hip pain doesn’t have to control your life. Whether you’re dealing with arthritis, an old injury that never healed right, or pain that appeared without obvious cause, there’s a path forward.
At ChiroMed Crawfordsville, we’ve helped thousands of Montgomery County residents find relief from musculoskeletal pain and get back to the activities they enjoy. Our goal isn’t just to get you out of pain—it’s to help you get well and stay well.
Ready to find out what’s causing your hip pain? Schedule a consultation with Dr. Jeff McIntyre or call (765) 362-1500. We’re here to help.
