Chiropractors and hip pain: How they can help, treatments, and more Health ConditionsHealth ConditionsAlzheimer's & DementiaAnxietyArthritisAsthma & AllergiesBreast CancerCancerCardiovascular HealthCOVID-19Dermatology & SkincareDiabetesEnvironment & SustainabilityExercise & FitnessEye HealthHeadache & MigraineHealth EquityHIV & AIDSHuman BiologyInflammatory Bowel DiseaseLeukemiaLGBTQIA+Men's HealthMental HealthMultiple Sclerosis (MS)NutritionParkinson's DiseasePsoriasisSexual HealthWomen's HealthDiscoverNewsLatest NewsOriginal SeriesMedical MythsHonest NutritionThrough My EyesNew Normal HealthPodcastsHow to understand chronic painWhat is behind vaccine hesitancy?The amazing story of hepatitis C, from discovery to cureNew directions in dementia researchCan psychedelics rewire a depressed, anxious brain?Why climate change matters for human healthToolsGeneral HealthDrugs A-ZHealth HubsHealth ToolsBMI Calculators and ChartsBlood Pressure Chart: Ranges and GuideBreast Cancer: Self-Examination GuideSleep CalculatorHealth ProductsAffordable Therapy OptionsBlood Pressure MonitorsDiabetic SuppliesFitness TrackersHome GymsGreen Cleaning ProductsHow to Shop for CBDQuizzesRA Myths vs FactsType 2 Diabetes: Managing Blood SugarAnkylosing Spondylitis Pain: Fact or FictionConnectAbout Medical News TodayWho We AreOur Editorial ProcessContent IntegrityConscious LanguageNewslettersSign UpFollow UsMedical News TodayHealth ConditionsDiscoverToolsConnectSubscribe Can a chiropractor help with hip pain Medically reviewed by Gregory Minnis, DPT, Physical Therapy — By Zawn Villines on May 26, 2022A person may be able to use chiropractic care to complement other evidence-based treatments, such as medication, surgery, or physical therapy. However, the research on chiropractic care and hip pain is not conclusive, so it is a good idea to consult a doctor before visiting a chiropractor. Chiropractic manipulation is a type of alternative medicine. During treatment, a chiropractor manipulates the joints or soft tissues to achieve alignment in the body. Although some people report that chiropractic care has helped their hip pain, the evidence to support this treatment is limited. Much of the research on the topic is in the form of case studies that only involve one individual or studies that appear in journals with an interest in promoting chiropractic care, making them not entirely reliable sources. People who wish to try chiropractic care for their hip pain should first contact a doctor to discuss the treatment options. Read more to learn about how chiropractic manipulation can help hip pain, what to expect from a session, and the risks associated with the practice. Hip conditions that chiropractors treat Share on PinterestAmeris Photography Inc./StocksyChiropractors can treat a variety of musculoskeletal conditions, but they do not treat emergencies, such as broken or fractured hips. If a person has an acute injury, they should contact a doctor. Most often, chiropractors treat a person in recovery from an injury. For example, a person who receives medical treatment for a broken hip might still have pain or mobility issues afterward. In this case, they may decide to contact a chiropractor. Chiropractors are not medical doctors, so they do not complete medical training. Instead, they graduate with a doctor of chiropractic degree. In the United States, chiropractors must have attended a Council on Chiropractic Education (CCE) accredited college and hold a license to practice. Some of the conditions that a chiropractor may treat include: Chronic pain: This pain may result from a specific condition or have no clear cause. Chiropractors may also help people who have somatic symptoms, which means that psychological distress causes them physical pain. Femoroacetabular impingement: This occurs when abnormalities of the thigh bone, hip socket, or both cause abnormal contact during hip motion. It can be painful and affect a person’s range of motion.Hip dysplasia: In a person with hip dysplasia, the hip socket does not fully contain the thigh bone, sometimes causing partial dislocation of the hip. Hip dysplasia is often a congenital condition.Spinal issues: Issues with the spine can cause low back or hip pain, as well as mobility problems. Arthritis: Arthritis is a group of joint disorders that can cause pain and movement issues. Chiropractors treat many types of arthritis, especially osteoarthritis. Injury recovery: A person may have a wide range of injuries, such as broken bones or soft tissue injuries, that cause pain. A chiropractor can help treat injuries or support recovery after a person heals. How chiropractors treat hip pain Early chiropractors believed that most types of pain originate with spinal subluxation, which is a slight misalignment of the spine. However, contemporary chiropractors have moved away from this theory. A 2016 paper advocates for chiropractors to become general musculoskeletal practitioners who focus on spinal pain. Many modern chiropractors still focus on the spine as a source of pain, and they may look to problems with the spine or back to explain hip pain. The specific treatment that a chiropractor chooses to use will vary, and it might not depend on the type of injury. Instead, it may depend on the type of pain and its source. As chiropractic care is a type of alternative medicine, the processes of diagnosis and treatment do not always match those of medical care. The recommended treatment plans can also vary among chiropractors. However, if a person visits a chiropractor, they can expect the following:manipulative therapies, which involve moving the joints and muscles mobilization of the joints by moving the legs or hips exercise and physical therapy recommendationssoft tissue treatments, such as electrical stimulation or massage A 2021 paper recommends that chiropractors draw upon data from a Danish study. In this study, researchers used a combination of exercise, pain management techniques, and education to help people manage osteoarthritis. They developed an evidence-based curriculum that laid out guidelines for treatment, and the protocol — called Good Life with osteoArthritis — had positive results in Danish and Canadian populations. Following the results of these studies, chiropractors may use a combination of approaches when treating chronic pain. What to expect During a visit to the chiropractor, a person can expect an initial visit to be similar to an appointment with a medical doctor. First, the chiropractor will ask about symptoms and health history. They may discuss treatment goals, current medications, and lifestyle factors. In some cases, they may take X-rays or carry out a physical exam. Some chiropractors work in doctor’s offices or hospitals. Others partner with physical therapists and other alternative medicine professionals. Risks and considerations It can be difficult to find treatment for certain kinds of hip pain, especially chronic hip pain. Anecdotally, many people report improvements — sometimes even life changing ones — from chiropractic care. For example, a 2015 study supports the idea that people may be satisfied with chiropractic care. The study followed 403 people who saw medical doctors and 316 who saw doctors of chiropractic for hip, spine, and shoulder pain. People who consulted a chiropractor initially reported greater pain reduction scores than those who saw a medical doctor. At 4 months, however, pain levels were similar between the two groups. Chiropractic care may help in other ways, though. For instance, it can encourage people to manage controllable risk factors, such as a sedentary lifestyle. Research also shows a link between seeing a chiropractor and having a lower likelihood of filling a prescription for potentially addictive opioids. Chiropractic care may be less expensive than medical care, and some insurers cover it. However, not all insurance plans provide coverage, so it is important to check with the plan provider before booking an appointment. People should bear in mind that chiropractic care poses some risks, the most serious of which is the very small risk of a stroke. Several case reports have focused on strokes following chiropractic neck manipulation. People who receive chiropractic care may also be at risk of injuries from forceful manipulation. Summary Chiropractic care may help some people with hip pain. However, research on chiropractic manipulation has not caught up with the anecdotal evidence from proponents, and there are no recent well-designed studies proving that it can treat or cure hip pain. This does not mean that chiropractic care does not work. Instead, it means that chiropractic care remains an alternative therapy until more evidence supports it. A person may find that it serves as a beneficial complementary therapy to evidence-based medical treatments. Anyone interested in receiving chiropractic care for hip pain should speak with a doctor first. Last medically reviewed on May 26, 2022OsteoarthritisBones / OrthopedicsPain / AnestheticsComplementary Medicine / Alternative Medicine 11 sourcescollapsedMedical News Today has strict sourcing guidelines and draws only from peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical journals and associations. We avoid using tertiary references. We link primary sources — including studies, scientific references, and statistics — within each article and also list them in the resources section at the bottom of our articles. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy.Bertelsman, T. (2019). Top 4 most commonly missed hip diagnoses.https://www.acatoday.org/news-publications/top-4-most-commonly-missed-hip-diagnoses/Beumer, L., et al. (2015). Effects of exercise and manual therapy on pain associated with hip osteoarthritis: A systematic review and meta-analysis [Abstract].https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26612846/Chiropractic: In depth. (2019).https://www.nccih.nih.gov/health/chiropractic-in-depthHouweling, T. A. W., et al. (2015). First-contact care with a medical vs chiropractic provider after consultation with a Swiss telemedicine provider: Comparison of outcomes, patient satisfaction, and health care costs in spinal, hip, and shoulder pain patients [Abstract].https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26288262/Kisling, L. A., et al. (2021). Alternative medicine.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK538520/Mirtz, T. A., et al. (2009). An epidemiological examination of the subluxation construct using Hill's criteria of causation.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3238291/Patel, H. (2022). Resolution of opioid medication use from chiropractic management of nonunion hip fracture, post-surgical pelvic fusion, and severe TBI: A case report.https://journal.parker.edu/index.php/jcc/article/view/196Turner, R. C., et al. (2018). The potential dangers of neck manipulation & risk for dissection and devastating stroke: An illustrative case & review of the literature.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6016850/Walker, B. F. (2016). The new chiropractic.https://chiromt.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12998-016-0108-9Whedon, J. M., et al. (2022). Association between chiropractic care and use of prescription opioids among older medicare beneficiaries with spinal pain: A retrospective observational study.https://chiromt.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12998-022-00415-7Young, J. J., et al. (2021). Management of knee and hip osteoarthritis: An opportunity for the Canadian chiropractic profession.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8128331/FEEDBACK:Medically reviewed by Gregory Minnis, DPT, Physical Therapy — By Zawn Villines on May 26, 2022 Latest newsWhat sets 'SuperAgers' apart? Their unusually large neuronsOmega-3 may provide a brain boost for people in midlifeSeasonal affective disorder (SAD): How to beat it this fall and winterCDC: Monkeypox in the US 'unlikely to be eliminated in the near future'Why are more women prone to Alzheimer's? New clues arise Related CoverageExercises and stretches for hip painMedically reviewed by Gregory Minnis, DPT There are many possible causes of hip pain. However, gently stretching and exercising the hips can often help relieve this pain. In this article, we…READ MOREPain at the front of the hip: What to knowMedically reviewed by Deborah Weatherspoon, Ph.D., MSN Pain in the front of the hip can occur for many reasons, from injuries to autoimmune conditions. Learn about the causes and treatment options here.READ MOREDoes Medicare pay for chiropractic services?Medically reviewed by Alexandra Perez, PharmD, MBA, BCGP Some people seek chiropractic treatment to manage back and joint pain. This article explains the level of coverage that Medicare provides for these…READ MOREWhat to know about hip pain during pregnancyMedically reviewed by Deborah Weatherspoon, Ph.D., MSN Hip pain during pregnancy is common. Learn more about the potential causes of hip pain during pregnancy and how to get relief.READ MOREEverything you need to know about chiropracticMedically reviewed by Deborah Weatherspoon, Ph.D., MSN Chiropractic manipulation is the most common form of alternative, complementary medicine. It is used to treat problems with the musculoskeletal system,READ MORE