Hip Pain

Hip pain sneaks up on you. One day, you’re moving fine; the next, every step feels like a reminder of something gone wrong. Studies show that over 20% of adults in the United States deal with chronic pain, and for many, it’s centered right in the hips, back, or lower limbs. That’s millions of people limping through life, missing work, or skipping out on time with friends because of discomfort that won’t quit. Hip pain isn’t just a nuisance—it’s a thief, robbing you of freedom and piling on medical bills while it’s at it.

Think about how that ache in your hip might ripple outward. It’s not uncommon to hear about back pain or knee trouble tagging along, turning a single sore spot into a chorus of complaints. Research points to hip pain showing up in different flavors—groan-inducing groin aches, tender spots on the side, or that deep buttock burn. Each type hints at its own culprit, from arthritis grinding away at joints to bursitis flaring up around them. Worse yet, if left unchecked, serious issues like fractures or infections could be lurking, demanding urgent attention. And here’s the kicker: folks with chronic pain miss work way more often—10 days a year compared to just 3 for those without. That’s time lost, money gone, and stress stacked on top of an already heavy load.

Now, picture a tiny baby, just 7 days old, with hip dysplasia. One leg wouldn’t stretch out, locked up by a brace and a misaligned pelvis. A quick chiropractic adjustment to the sacroiliac (SI) joint—a spot where your pelvis meets your spine—and that little leg moved freely again. A week later, the dysplasia was gone, leaving the orthopedist scratching his head. There’s a saying: “As the twig is bent, so grows the tree.” Had that fix never happened, imagine the uneven steps, the wear, the pain building up over decades. Could that child have faced a hip replacement by 60? No one knows, but it’s a clue about how early imbalances can shape a lifetime of trouble.

Grown-ups aren’t so different. Take Benson, an elite Kenyan runner who showed up at my office, clutching his hip. He’d point to it, baffled, while his SI joint and low back got adjusted by me instead. Racing was his lifeline—prize money fed his family—and he feared it was slipping away. After some care, the pain vanished. He ran a 5K road race here in Rhode Island and won. Most folks with hip replacements only get one side done, not both. Why? It’s rarely age alone—it’s years of uneven wear from a pelvis out of whack. The sooner that’s caught, the better your shot at dodging the knife.

Chiropractic care zeroes in on that pelvic balance. When the SI joint’s off, your hips take the hit—one side grinding harder, wearing down faster. Adjusting it can stop that cycle, easing pain and keeping you moving. Whether you’re chasing a finish line or just trying to enjoy a walk, a chiropractor in Cranston, RI, might be the fix you didn’t know you needed.

References:
Yong RJ, Mullins PM, Bhattacharyya N. Prevalence of chronic pain among adults in the United States. Pain. 2022 Feb 1;163(2):e328-e332. doi: 10.1097/j.pain.0000000000002291. PMID: 33990113. Link

Roberts WN, Williams RB. Hip pain. Prim Care. 1988 Dec;15(4):783-93. PMID: 3068695. Link

Webster L. Hip Dysplasia in 7-day-old infant. Chiropractic Showcase Magazine. Vol. 2, Issue 5, Summer 1994.