Hip pain can be quite a nuisance to live with. You use your hips when you walk, stand, and even sit, so it can feel like there is no escape from the pain. Thankfully, chiropractors are skilled at treating and managing many of the common causes of hip pain. Here's a closer look.

Sciatica

Sciatica happens when your tissues put pressure on the sciatic nerve, which results in tingling and soreness through one's hips and lower back. Sciatic nerve pain often feels like a stinging sensation. It may also feel sharp and stabbing, particularly after physical activity. A lot of sciatica cases are caused or made worse by misalignments in the lower part of the vertebral column. Your chiropractor can adjust and align this part of your spine, which will take pressure off the tissues in the area. This, in turn, will relieve pressure on your sciatic nerve and help ease your discomfort.

Osteoarthritis

If you're an older adult, there is a good chance your hip pain has to do with osteoarthritis. This osteoarthritis is a swelling and pain in the joint that results from the wearing away of cartilage that is meant to pad the hip. A chiropractor cannot cure arthritis or make the cartilage grow back. However, they can adjust the way your hip sits in its socket in order to minimize the pressure and friction on the arthritic tissues within your hip. After this sort of adjustment, you should have an easier time walking with less pain. 

Trochanteric Bursitis

Trochanteric bursitis is a condition in which the bursae, which are fluid-filled sacs within the hip joint, become swollen and painful. The rest of your hip may continue rubbing on them, which causes the pain to flare up. A basic chiropractic adjustment to align your whole spine and pelvis can work wonders here. After an adjustment, you will walk more evenly on your legs rather than putting excess pressure on one of them. This can take some pressure off the affected hip and allow your bursae to heal. Your chiropractor may also show you some stretches that can help ease your pain when your bursitis flares up.

If you're struggling with hip pain for any of the reasons above, see a local chiropractor. The focus of their practice might be on back pain, but they can do a lot for hip pain, too. Talk to a chiropractor near you to learn more.