Lower back pain plagues many people, so you're hardly alone if you count yourself among them. However, in addition to back pain, some people notice that their legs seem to be uneven, with one longer than the other. In reality, this problem generally indicates that there's a problem with your hips, not your legs. If your hips have a problem, your entire spine can be thrown out of balance, causing pain throughout your upper body, as well as in your legs and feet. Read on to learn more about this debilitating condition and to learn what you can do about it.
How Hips Become Misaligned
When a person stands or sits, their hips should be balanced on either side, distributing weight evenly. However, in the modern world, hips often become misaligned. This problem can be caused by a variety of factors. For example, poor posture, especially when sitting, can cause the hips to cock to one side, putting more pressure on one side than the other. Another common problem is while standing, people often stand firmly on one leg, while allowing the other to slouch. While there's nothing wrong with doing this once in awhile, if you frequently stand or sit with your hips cocked, it may become a habit.
How The Problem Worsens
If your hips are left misaligned often enough, it can put a strain on your entire body. Your muscles and spine are designed to be perfectly balanced, and without that balance, your body has to work harder. Muscles that are supposed to be at rest may be engaged, helping to raise your hip to one side, instead of allowing it to rest. This can cause pain and muscle tension, which means that even if you become consciously aware of your misaligned hips, it may be very difficult to get your muscles to relax enough to correct the problem.
How a Chiropractor Can Help
Chiropractors are experts in the realm of bone misalignment, especially when it involves the spine and its surrounding support structures. If you've never been to a chiropractor before, the first thing they'll do is to take a careful look at how you stand and sit to see if your neck, shoulders, back, and hips are all properly aligned. If misalignment is found, they'll work with you to gently and carefully put your body back in alignment.
The method your chiropractor will use depends upon the chiropractor you see, as well as the condition you're in. Some chiropractors use a tool called an activator that gently nudges vertebrae back into position, which can instantly take stress off your body. Others physically manipulate the body to encourage muscles to relax and parts of your skeleton to move back into its proper position.
Bringing the body into alignment can not only help you to lose your lower back pain and uneven-looking legs, but it can provide relaxation and pain relief to your entire body. If you're struggling with these problems, visit a chiropractor to get help right away. You can also check out sites like http://www.dilschiropractic.com for more information.
