Monday 21 November 2011

Hip joint movement and back pain

Can a lack of free moment at he hips lead to back pain? 
 My answer is yes. In fact with some people it can actually mean the difference between chronic back  pain and being pain free.

Why does good hip movement get lost?
There are quite a number of reasons, but one of the most important is "people are completely unaware where the hip joint is located on their body".


 This may sound incredible but it is true. When I ask patients who come to me where their hips are, I get all kinds of answers many of which include putting hands on outside of pelvis or half way up the back. A long way from the hip joint.

Why is this important?
Though this may seem like a small point, it is in fact crucially important. People will generally try and move where they think a joint is located on them. In relation to the hip and back, this results in a bending at the waist rather than, the more efficient movement, of moving at the hips. Examples of this include getting out of a chair. The individual, instead of initiating moment through their psoas muscle (hip flexor) in order to hing at the hips (until the weight of the body is over the feet), will in fact stiffen their hips and attempt to bend the trunk forward (through rectus abominus ). This means the back is now doing the work of the hips. Over time this results in increasing strain on the back. If you think this is not going to affect your back just think how many times a day you get in and out of a chair
.

Getting out of a chair using the hips

Where are the hip joints and where should the movement occur?
The hip joint is in fact located in the groin area. If someone leans forward in a chair (ie to get up), or lifts a leg (ie going up stairs) the movement should pivot here.


What can be done about it?
Unless there is some intrinsic structural problem with the hips, this cause of back pain can be changed. Just understanding where the hips are and where the movement takes place can help.

  Various models such as Alexander technique , Pilates or Feldenkrias can be useful for dealing with this problem. Though Pilates have specific exercises for "hip differentiation" one will find all the above will also have the tendency toward "general" rather than just "specific". The reason for this is specific movement patterns at the hip may be part of, and linked with, more general of movement patterns involving other parts of the body.

Understanding where our hip joints are located and where this movement take place, can be a key to solving many long term and chronic back problem.

A useful video looking at the hip joints from a Alexander technique point of view is Alexander Technique: Understanding the Hip Joints

.

No comments: