Your hips play a major role in your ability to move comfortably throughout the day. They are responsible for a wide range of movements, including walking, running, bending, and twisting. While it is incredibly important, hip mobility is often overlooked until discomfort arises. Understanding the significance of hip mobility and how chiropractic care can help is crucial for maintaining overall well-being.
At Muscle & Joint Chiropractic, we understand how difficult changes in mobility can be, especially for incredibly active individuals. But, without the proper education, you might not know what contributes to these changes in mobility and how to make improvements. If you’re experiencing changes in your hip mobility and want to learn more about how your chiropractic team can help, keep reading.
How Mobility Changes as We Age
As you get older, your body may undergo a series of changes, and your mobility may begin to change substantially. Understanding how and why your mobility evolves as you age is essential for taking proactive steps to prevent this change and ensure comfortable mobility. Some of the reasons why your mobility changes as you age include:
Decreased Flexibility
As you age, the soft tissue around your joints, including your muscles, tendons, and ligaments, may become far less elastic than they once were. This change may result in a reduction in flexibility, which can lead to increased stiffness and limited range of motion. This decreased flexibility may also make everyday movements like bending, squatting, and reaching more challenging or uncomfortable.
Joint Degeneration
Over time, the cartilage that cushions your joints may wear down for a variety of reasons, including regular wear and tear and genetic conditions like arthritis. As a result, your joints may become inflamed and painful. As this pain increases, your mobility may become more restricted and may prevent you from performing daily activities.
Posture Changes
Aging may also cause changes in posture, which can directly impact overall mobility. Poor posture, caused by weakened muscles, spinal misalignment, or skeletal changes, can place undue stress on joints and contribute to discomfort and a limited range of motion. Therefore, it is essential to maintain great posture to prevent unnecessary discomfort.
Muscle Weakness
Muscle mass tends to decline with age, a condition known as sarcopenia. As muscle mass changes, so will your ability to move comfortably or in ways you’ve been accustomed to. Weakened muscles can compromise stability and mobility, making individuals more susceptible to falls and injuries.
Lifestyle Factors
Factors such as sedentary behavior, lack of physical activity, and poor nutrition can lead to age-related changes in mobility. Regular movement, strength training, and a balanced diet rich in nutrients can help prevent the effects of aging on hip health.
Why Hip Mobility is Important?
Your hip mobility plays a significant role in your ability to move comfortably throughout the day. The bone acts as the foundation for movement, serving as the bridge between your upper and lower body. Optimal hip mobility ensures smooth transitions between various activities, whether it is performing daily tasks or engaging in physical activity.
Improved hip mobility may also be essential for preventing injuries. As we stated above, as your mobility changes, you may be more susceptible to falls and injuries. When your hips lack flexibility, neighboring joints, including your lower back and knees, may take on more stress. This can lead to potential strains, sprains, and overuse injuries.
Finally, your hip mobility plays a major role in your performance. If you are an athlete or fitness enthusiast, hip mobility can improve your agility, power, and efficiency, boosting your overall performance. Without proper hip mobility, you may find yourself performing more poorly than ever and miss out on your favorite activities.
How Your Chiropractor Can Help
While you may experience decreased hip mobility as you age, there are ways that your chiropractor can help you recover this mobility and alleviate discomfort. Some of the treatments your chiropractor may recommend to help you improve your mobility may include:
- Spinal Adjustments: Your chiropractor may perform gentle adjustments to help you realign your hips and spine and alleviate hip pain. These adjustments can reduce pressure on your nerves and joints and promote improved mobility.
- Soft Tissue Therapy: If you’re experiencing tension in the muscles surrounding your hips, your chiropractor may recommend soft tissue therapies and massage. These therapies can stretch these muscles and improve your flexibility and mobility.
- Exercise and Rehabilitation: Your chiropractor may also recommend exercises and rehabilitation therapies for you to perform at home to help you improve your hip mobility. These exercises can help you strengthen your hip muscles and improve stability between chiropractic appointments.
- Posture Correction: If you have hip pain as a result of poor posture, your chiropractor may provide guidance on posture improvements. These small changes can help you rebuild weakened muscles and provide support to your hips once again.
- Nutritional Advice: Proper nutrition can help reduce inflammation, which may contribute to hip pain. Your chiropractor may recommend an anti-inflammatory diet, which involves avoiding sugary beverages, refined carbohydrates, and red meat while adding more tomatoes, olive oil, and leafy greens to your diet.
Improving Your Hip Mobility with Muscle & Joint Chiropractic
If you are looking for a reliable chiropractic team to help you address changes in your hip mobility, look no further than our team at Muscle & Joint Chiropractic. Our team of dedicated chiropractors has years of experience helping patients across Tooele County improve mobility and return to their favorite activities as quickly as possible.
Whether you are experiencing hip pain, carpal tunnel, discomfort from sports injuries, or more, our team is here to help you alleviate discomfort and care for your body. If you would like to schedule an appointment with our team to discuss how they can help you improve your hip mobility, don’t hesitate to reach out to us today for support.