Healthy Hips: The Load Bearing Joints of Happiness

The health of your hips is vastly important

Strong and mobile hip joints are not only crucial for athletic performance and agility, but also for the initiation of basic daily movements including rotating and lifting. Unfortunately, more people than ever are shifting these responsibilities of the hips onto the lower back which is a curse for wellness: the muscles in the hips are firing less than they should and the lower back is assuming more burden than it should. A lifestyle that involves a lot of sitting may just be the most formidable foe that our hips must face.

The hip flexors are a group of muscles that allow for range of motion in the lower body and help us to bend at the hip without pain. When we sit a lot, these muscles lock into a shortened position and become tight; the act of sitting literally conditions the hip flexor muscles to remain shorter, meaning that when they are called upon to perform basic actions, these tight muscles are suddenly stretched too violently and pain or injury can ensue. 

If modern life is going to pit our hips against more egregious odds than ever, then protecting and preserving the health of our hips necessitates a more proactive response than ever. This is a question of biomechanics, and solving the pain, stiffness and potential for injury that comes with compromised hip joints requires knowledge of how our body can work in unison. Targeted strengthening and stretching is a great way to restore lost mobility and begin the process of releasing tight hip flexors. Chiropractic adjustment is great for restoring spinal balance in the lower back, reducing nerve irritation and improving range of motion. At Family Chiropractic & Natural Healing Center, we support healthy hips and pain-free lower backs by teaching awareness; give our office in Milpitas a call to schedule an appointment today!

Dr. Gregory Lind, D.C.