Hip Pain - IT Band Syndrome, Hip Bursitis and Snapping Hip

Hip pain is a fairly common occurrence in runners, cyclists and triathletes, but can also affect people who spend a good portion of their day sitting or standing. 

Regardless of the activity, the muscles involved and mechanism of injury are often the same. Athletic performance is hindered, activity and exercise are less enjoyable, and even simple things like sleeping or sitting in a car can be difficult. 

If you suffer from hip pain, Chiropractic and Active Release Technique® can give fast and effective relief and get you back in the game.

 

Hip Pain From IT Band Syndrome (Iliotibial Band Syndrome)

IT band syndrome is a repetitive use injury that causes the IT band and muscles of the hip to become stiff and weak. The IT band is a thick tendon that runs down the outside of the leg from the hip to the knee, and helps to stabilize the knee during movement.  IT band syndrome can cause pain anywhere along the length of the IT Band, with the knee and hip being the most common spots.

IT band syndrome is the most common cause of pain over the outside of the knee.  This is a condition called Runner’s Knee.  IT Band Syndrome can also cause pain over the outside of the hip and buttocks. As the IT band becomes stiff with repetitive use, it causes increased tension on the muscles of the hip and buttock, leading to hip pain.  Although hip pain can occur on its own, knee pain is often present. In order to effectively treat IT band syndrome, all components of injury must be addressed.  Scar tissue and adhesions in the muscles of the buttocks and hips must be broken up, and the IT band must be lengthened.  This will help return normal function, strength and flexibility, while keeping a tight IT band from pulling on the knee.

 

Hip Pain From Hip Bursitis

Hip bursitis is a repetitive use injury that causes hip pain directly over the outside of the hip and upper leg.  Hip bursitis is common in running athletes and cyclists because of the repetitive nature of these activities. 

Repetitive use causes the IT band and muscles of the hip to become stiff and weak, causing friction between the IT band and the outside of the hip bone every time the hip flexes. This friction leads to inflammation and considerable pain at the point where the IT band crosses the outside of the hip bone. 

Hip bursitis is often worse with running, walking, and climbing stairs, but can also cause considerable hip pain at night if lying on the affected side.  Other causes of hip bursitis include tight hip flexors, IT band syndrome, over-training, poor foot mechanics (over-pronating), or a short leg on one side.

 

Hip Pain From Snapping Hip in Runners, Dancers and Athletes

Snapping hip syndrome is a repetitive use injury involving the muscles of the hip and IT band.  With repetitive overuse injuries, the muscles of the hip become stiff and weak causing increased tension between the tendons and bones. When the hip is flexed and extended during activity, these tight muscles and tendons snap over top of the hip bones. Although snapping hip can occur on its own, it is often present in people with hip pain, hip bursitis or IT band syndrome. There are two common types of snapping hip syndrome: 

External Snapping Hip occurs when the upper part of the IT band snaps over the outside of the hip joint during movement of the hip.  This type of snapping hip can lead to hip bursitis if it continues long enough.  Poor foot mechanics or a short leg on one side can also contribute to external snapping hip.

Internal Snapping Hip occurs when the iliopsoas muscle, a major hip flexor, snaps over the front of the hip joint.  The only difference between internal and external snapping hip are the muscles involved.

 

Other Causes of Hip Pain

Generalized hip pain is often caused by a combination of weak and stiff muscles, and loss of function of the joints of the lower back and pelvis. This type of hip pain is usually not as specific as the conditions listed above, and may be located in the lower back, hips, buttocks and legs. In fact, lower back pain and hip pain are often interrelated.

With some conditions, such as sciatica or piriformis syndrome, pain may also radiate down the legs and into the feet.  In most cases, generalized hip pain results from repetitive use or wear and tear and responds very well to Chiropractic treatment and Active Release Technique®.

 

Treatment for Hip Pain - Chiropractic and Active Release Technique

Whether you have hip pain from bursitis, snapping hip, or IT band syndrome, or just general hip and lower back pain, Active Release Technique® is incredibly effective at treating the underlying cause. Active Release Technique® can quickly break up scar tissue and adhesions in the hip and gluteal muscles, stretch out the IT band, and increase blood flow to the injured area.  Chiropractic can help restore flexibility and normal range of motion to the joints of the lower back and hips.

Hip pain and inflammation often resolve in a short period of time with a combination of Chiropractic and Active Release Technique.  Custom foot orthotics, Kinesio Taping, exercise modification, and proper stretching can also help eliminate hip pain and lessen the chance of re-injury.

 

Treatment of Hip Pain in Bellevue, WA

If you’re interested in learning about how Chiropractic and Active Release Technique® can help eliminate your hip pain, please consider scheduling a consultation with Bellevue Chiropractor Dr. Keith McGahey.  His Chiropractic clinic, Eastside Chiropractic Group, is located in downtown Bellevue near Overlake Hospital. Open Saturdays, same day appointments are available, and consultations are ALWAYS FREE!  Call (425) 455-2711.