Hip Pain

Hip pain can afflict a wide range of ages. It is not just a natural part of the ‘ageing process’.  Pain in the hip can actually be caused by a variety of things. It may originate from degeneration within the joint itself, referred pain from the lower back, or from chronic tendonitis of the gluteal muscles.  Hip pain may also result from inflammatory conditions or from improper biomechanics in the knee and ankle or foot.

Making sure your pelvis, low back, hips, knees, ankles and feet are in the proper alignment and moving well may help alleviate hip pain and may prevent recurrent episodes.  It is important to first identify the cause of the hip pain, not just treat the symptomatic area. When this is addressed, it is then essential to increase strength and regain mobility in the hip area and help return to previous level of activity.

Degenerative and pathological conditions of the hip can present with a broad range of diagnostic mysteries. For every patient who comes in complaining of pain and discomfort that he or she correctly traces to the hip, there is likely to be another patient with symptoms from the lower back, to the buttocks, to the legs, that eventually can be traced to a hip condition.  On the other hand, conditions like hernia, aneurysm, and iliopsoas bursitis, with no direct hip connection, can cause what a patient may perceive as hip or groin pain.

Hip disease itself manifests as pain in the groin that may radiate all around the thigh and even to the knee. Although a significant number of people present with hip pain, the real challenge is making sure that hip and thigh pain really is a pathology of the hip and not a referred intra-abdominal or retroperitoneal pain.”

Some patients may complain of pain that initially seemed to have nothing to do with the hip, but upon closer questioning and examination, had at least some of its origins there.

Common Causes

Contrary to some belief, age-related degenerative conditions are not the only cause of hip pain, particularly osteoarthritis of the hip joint.  Osteoarthritis isn’t always the reason -it may actually be the ultimate result of damage done to the hip earlier.

Some of the leading causes of hip problems that actually originate within and around the hip include:

• Overuse injuries and repetitive motion or gait problems
• Acute injuries, such as fractures, sprains, strains to the lower limb.
• Avascular necrosis
• Infections in the joint or bone near the hip -these are usually accompanied by fever, redness, and/or swelling.

After comprehensive examination and diagnosis, the treatment goal should not only be to decrease the patient’s pain levels, but assist in increasing the range of motion in the hip and lower back and restoring proper function. In addition, providing lifestyle options, such as postural changes, core stabilization, how to assume a neutral spine, and home exercises including stretching and strengthening will all assist in limiting stress on the low back and hips.

Boost Your Immunity

Feeling the winter blues?  Tired of catching colds that go around?  Rather than taking something to simply cover up the symptoms, how about some advice on avoiding them in the first place?  The best treatment is often prevention. Here we show you how to boost your immune system through natural means like exercise, nutrition and more, so you can get through winter unscathed.

Look To Nature

The great thing about herbs is that they improve your immune system, rather than attack a bug.  Naturopathy focuses on the natural herbs nature has to offer.

A Positive Outlook

A positive outlook on life can help ward off colds, flu and infections.  People with an optimistic outlook on life tend to have higher levels of immune-system weaponry (T-cells and natural killer cells) than pessimistic people.  You may not be able to change your situation at a certain moment, but you can change your attitude.

Foods and Fluids

If your body is lacking in certain nutrients, your immune system will certainly suffer. So eat plenty of fruit and vegetables, which contain antioxidants.

Immune-boosting properties from carotenoids are found in yellow and orange fruit and vegetables like carrots, pumpkin, oranges and apricots as well as green leafy vegetables like spinach and broccoli.

Increase the garlic and onion in your meals.  Eat raw, freshly-crushed garlic – it has antibacterial, antifungal and antiviral properties.  It is a natural immune booster.

Vitamin C found in citrus fruits and berries may help improve resistance to infection.

Include plenty of zinc and iron, found in lean red meat, poultry, seafood, wholegrains and nuts, in your diet. They’re not antioxidants, but they are also thought to keep the immune system healthy.

Drink plenty of water and/or herbal teas; eliminate caffeine-containing fluids like coffee and soft drinks.

Avoid sugar – as it can decrease the immune system’s activity.

Curb your stress levels – Some Stress is Good

People tend to talk about stress as if it’s all bad. It’s not.

Some stress is good for you.  Public speakers, for example have to get their stress response to a certain optimal level so that they can perform in front of an audience. Otherwise, it may come across as lethargic and listless.

However, while some stress is good, too much is not.  If you’re too stressed, your performance can diminish.  The objective should be not to get rid of stress completely because you can’t get rid of stress — stress is life, life is stress. Rather, you need to be able to use your stress response optimally.”

The key is to learn to move yourself to that optimal peak point so that you’re not underperforming but you’re also not so stressed that you’re unable to perform.  The challenge is knowing our limits – how much we’re actually able to handle.

The goal should be to try to learn to control your stress to make it work for you.  Don’t just think of getting rid of your stress; think of turning it to your advantage.

Let Your Emotions Out

Expressing  your emotions can be good for your health.  Repressing emotions after a traumatic event can lower the function of the immune system compared to those who share their feelings.

Therapeutic Massage

Receiving a therapeutic massage can boost the immune system and promote lymph flow.  It can aid in removing toxins, lead to less anxiety and improve the function of the immune system.

Exercise

Regular exercise supports general health and immune function.  It promotes healthy blood circulation and drives the lymphatic system.

While professional athletes and those who train intensely have weakened immune systems, studies show that moderate exercise strengthens the immune system.

People who exercise regularly have about 25 percent fewer colds than those who seldom or never exercised.
We need adequate rest to allow the body to repair itself.

Rest and Relaxation

A good night’s sleep can also significantly boost the immune system.  There are potent immune enhancing compounds released during sleep and immune functions are increased significantly by an adequate night’s rest.

Doing things you enjoy helps to decrease stress levels, especially if we are inspired to do something, rather than doing things because we have to.

A well-rested person’s immune system may respond more strongly that of a sleep-deprived person’s.
Your body requires more sleep during the winter months – so get to bed a bit earlier!

Chiropractic Maintenance Care

A regular visit to the chiropractor may greatly enhance your body’s immune system in combination with the abovementioned topics.  By aligning your spine, the nervous system (which also affects the immune system) can function optimally.