| The first thing to do is begin noticing when you | | | | Be aware that there are other causes of pain in |
| feel the pain and exactly where the pain is | | | | this region but we will keep our focus on hip |
| located. Is there a pattern? What kind of pain is | | | | tightness and misalignments since they are most |
| it? What is your emotional state at the time? Can | | | | common. |
| you describe the pain...is it sharp, shooting, dull or | | | | The good new is that back hip pain can often be |
| achy? By noticing, you will begin to build | | | | treated naturally without drugs or surgery. A |
| awareness within your body. This body | | | | chiropractor will be able to evaluate and treat you |
| awareness is the start to your healing process. | | | | for structural misalignments and most will also |
| This will also help your doctor locate the problem, | | | | evaluate your hip. |
| should you decide to seek professional care. | | | | A wonderful form of self-care is to practice yoga |
| The next step is to get a better understanding of | | | | on a regular basis. Yoga poses were originally |
| what is going on: Your hip consists of your pelvis | | | | designed to allow ancient yogis to meditate for |
| and thigh bone. The hips should be freely mobile in | | | | long periods of time while sitting in a cross-legged |
| six directions as well as a combination of | | | | position. This position required open and freely |
| directions. Its ball and socket type joint allows for | | | | mobile hip joints. Therefore, most yoga poses are |
| this multi-directional movement. Problems and | | | | focused toward opening the hip joints. A regular |
| eventual pain often arises as a result of muscle | | | | yoga practice will gradually stretch, strengthen and |
| tightness within the hip region. This muscle | | | | balance your muscles. Be sure to seek advice |
| tightness decreases the allowable movement in | | | | from your health professional before starting a |
| the hip joint. This restricted movement forces | | | | new exercise program. Also, seek a skilled and |
| other parts of the body such as the low back and | | | | knowledgeable yoga instructor. You can locate a |
| knee to compensate and create the desired | | | | Registered Yoga Teacher (RYT) through the |
| movements. The excess strain placed on these | | | | Yoga Alliance website. |
| body parts will potentially create injury and pain. | | | | In summary, back and hip pain are common |
| In addition to hip tightness, structural (bony) | | | | complaints. One usually comes with the other. |
| misalignments can also create pain in the hip and | | | | There are many causes of pain but most often |
| back. Misalignments can occur from micro-stress | | | | the pain is a result of either tightness around the |
| (poor postural habits), macro-stress trauma), | | | | hip joint or structural bony misalignments. |
| chemical stress, and environmental stress. | | | | Chiropractic care and Yoga is a natural and highly |
| Misalignments can irritate nerves and/or stress | | | | effective form of treatment in most cases of |
| muscles, tendons and ligaments, ultimately leading | | | | back and hip pain. |
| to pain. | | | | |