Hip Pain

Hip pain can make it difficult to walk, climb stairs, sit comfortably, or even sleep at night. Because the hip is a major weight-bearing joint that connects your upper and lower body, problems here affect almost everything you do. At Lakeside Spine and Wellness in Renton, we look beyond the hip itself to find the structural cause of your pain and correct it.

Common Causes of Hip Pain

Hip pain has many potential sources. The hip joint itself can be affected by arthritis, labral tears, bursitis, or impingement. However, a significant number of hip pain cases are actually driven by problems elsewhere — particularly in the lumbar spine and pelvis. Misalignment of the lumbar vertebrae, sacroiliac joint dysfunction, pelvic imbalance, and nerve irritation in the lower back can all produce pain that is felt in the hip region.

This is why treating the hip in isolation often fails to provide lasting relief. If the real problem is a lumbar misalignment or pelvic tilt that is changing the mechanics of your hip, no amount of hip stretching or cortisone injections will fix the underlying issue.

The Spinal Connection

Your lumbar spine, pelvis, and hips function as an integrated unit. When the lumbar spine loses its normal curve or the pelvis shifts out of alignment, the forces that travel through your hips change. One hip may bear more weight than the other, muscles may compensate in abnormal patterns, and joint surfaces may wear unevenly. Over time, this leads to pain, stiffness, and degeneration.

At Lakeside Spine and Wellness, we evaluate this entire chain — not just the hip where you feel pain. Our testing-first approach ensures we identify whether your hip pain is truly a hip problem or a downstream consequence of a spinal or pelvic problem.

Comprehensive Evaluation

Your initial visit includes a detailed health history, orthopedic testing of the hip and lumbar spine, neurological screening, gait and postural analysis, and digital imaging when warranted. We assess the alignment of your lumbar spine, the position and stability of your pelvis, and the function of your hip joints. This comprehensive picture allows us to pinpoint the true driver of your pain.

Corrective Treatment Approach

Dr. Andrew Winger develops a corrective care plan tailored to the specific findings from your evaluation. If lumbar misalignment or pelvic imbalance is contributing to your hip pain, chiropractic adjustments restore proper alignment and joint mechanics. Chiropractic Biophysics (CBP) protocols may be used to address structural loss in the lumbar curve that is affecting pelvic and hip mechanics.

For patients whose hip pain involves disc-related nerve irritation, spinal decompression therapy can reduce the pressure on affected nerve roots. Direct hip adjustments and mobilization techniques address local joint restrictions when the hip joint itself is involved.

Rehabilitation for Hip Stability

We pair in-office correction with a targeted rehabilitation program that strengthens the muscles supporting your hips, pelvis, and lumbar spine. Hip strengthening, core stability exercises, and stretching protocols are prescribed based on your specific biomechanical needs. These exercises help maintain the structural corrections we achieve and reduce your risk of future hip problems.

Who Is Affected by Hip Pain?

Hip pain is common in runners and athletes who place repetitive stress on the joint, office workers who sit for long hours with poor pelvic alignment, older adults dealing with arthritis or degeneration, and anyone who has experienced a fall, car accident, or other injury to the pelvis or lower back. Women may also experience hip pain related to pelvic changes during and after pregnancy.

Regardless of the cause, the key to lasting relief is identifying the structural source and correcting it — not just managing the symptoms.

Get to the root of your hip pain. Schedule your evaluation today.

Call (425) 276-8044 or Request Appointment.