When we feel pain, it is our body’s way of asking for help. Unfortunately, we tend to ignore some of these pains because of our busy schedules. Bear in mind that this unhealthy habit may lead to more serious damage if inflammation or complication is left untreated.
Lower back pain is something most people ignore. We even often hear young adults joke about how they feel old because of their back pain. A hip imbalance or lateral pelvic tilt may be one of the reasons why you are experiencing such pain.
Understanding hip imbalance
A lateral pelvic tilt or imbalanced hip is a condition where the hip is lower or higher on one side. This happens because of the asymmetrical positioning of the pelvis. At first, it might be hard to distinguish uneven hips. Usually, uneven hips are spotted with uneven shoulders, although this is not always the case.
There are factors we need to consider as to how we can get it. Lateral pelvic tilts can be caused by injuries and prolonged bad posture. For example, a man who always keeps his thick wallet in his right back pocket sits most of the day. Essentially, his right pelvis would be tilted because of the thick wallet he is sitting on. The muscles on one side would become stiff and may result in a pelvic tilt. If this habit is continued for years, it is likely for him to suffer from lateral pelvic tilt and other back pains.
Scoliosis may also be a reason for uneven hips and shoulders. A normal spine would look like an S-shape curve when viewed from the side. Most cases of scoliosis happen naturally, but there are instances where it may develop because of an injury or traumatic accident. A majority of its cases are mild but may get severe as it progresses.
Uneven hips can also be caused by leg length discrepancy. There are two types of discrepancies一structural and functional. A structural discrepancy happens when a person is born with unequal leg length, while a functional discrepancy happens when a person is born with conditions that affect the hip alignment. Usually, it is harder to fix uneven hips with a structural discrepancy.
Other reasons for uneven hips could also be from a muscular imbalance, which causes unnatural shifts from stiff or shortened muscles.
Treatments for Hip Imbalance
The best way to treat uneven hips is to visit a professional who can fix it for you. Visiting a professional physical therapist, massage therapist, and chiropractors can assess your condition and provide you the best treatment you need.
Physical Therapy
A physical therapist may suggest exercises for stretching and strengthening muscles you can perform at your own home. These exercises are helpful to relieve any pain or discomfort you are experiencing from your uneven hips. They can also provide you helpful advice on how to manage your condition.
Physical therapy is responsible for restoring the pelvic griddle to its symmetrical condition. They work by stretching constricted and stiff muscles and restoring the strength of weakened muscles.
Massage Therapy
Massages have always been known as a powerful method to alleviate pain and discomfort to the body. Massage therapies are beneficial for hip imbalance as it relaxes the muscle around the pelvis area for enhanced support. It can also increase blood flow so that inflammation and pain are reduced.
Professional massage therapists are also knowledgeable about different techniques that are commonly used for this condition, like deep tissue massage and Gua Sha ― a traditional Chinese therapy mainly focused on improved blood circulation.
Chiropractic Treatment
Chiropractors are known to fix the overall alignment and balance of the body. Their treatment aims to recondition the maximum movement of the muscles and ligaments around the pelvis. Some chiropractic treatment plans may include physical and massage therapies as well.
Prevention for Hip Imbalance
Once you have successfully treated the condition, it is wise to do preventive measures to avoid it from happening again. Make sure to perform exercises for your pelvis, maintain a good posture, and don’t put too much weight on just one side of your body. Schedule a regular visit to your therapist to monitor your condition.
On a final note,
If you are experiencing back pains for quite some time, do not hesitate to visit a professional therapist near you. They can properly assess your condition and provide proper treatment for you. Self-diagnosis and medication are dangerous and should never be practiced.
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