Range of motion – ROM measures the movement around a joint or body part. When stretching or moving certain body parts, like a muscle or joint, the range of motion is how far it can move. Individuals with a limited range of motion cannot move a specific body part or joint through its normal range. Measurements are different for everybody, but there are ranges that individuals should be able to achieve for proper function. The Injury Medical Chiropractic and Functional Medicine Team can address issues/problems with ROM through a personalized treatment plan to alleviate symptoms and restore mobility and flexibility.
Improve Range of Motion
Over 250 joints in the body move from extension to flexion and are responsible for all of the body’s movements. These include the ankles, hips, elbows, knees, and shoulders. Tightness in the hips and ankles can decrease ROM when lifting an object, limiting the muscles’ ability. Form and strength potential becomes limited and suffers from an inadequate ROM. When form and posture are compromised, pain and injuries can result. There are many reasons why this can occur, including:
Tight and stiff muscles.
Trying to use these muscles can worsen the condition, limiting ROM further.
A limited ROM in the back, neck, or shoulders may be due to the body being out of natural alignment.
Repetitive motions, injuries, and everyday wear and tear can shift proper alignment and limit movement.
Conditions like arthritis, brain, nerve, and/or muscle disorders.
A mild to moderate range reduction may be caused by a sedentary lifestyle or insufficient physical activity.
Daily Living
Decreased range of motion and poor mobility can hinder the body from lifting objects, job occupation performance, and household tasks. A healthy physical ability is what determines independent aging and optimal function.
Restoring a healthy range of motion can improve physical performance during work, home, and sports activities.
An improved range of motion allows the affected muscles to work at longer lengths, build strength and relieve tension.
A stronger muscle capable of contracting efficiently through larger ranges prevents and decreases the risk of injury.
Chiropractic Restoration
Chiropractic care can realign the body and improve range of motion to optimal levels.
Therapeutic and Percussive Massage
Massage therapy will release the tightness, keep the muscles loose, and increase circulation.
This prepares the body for chiropractic adjustments and spinal decompression.
Decompression and Adjustments
Non-surgical mechanical decompression realigns the body to a pliable state.
Chiropractic adjustments will reset any misalignments, restoring flexibility and mobility.
Exercises
A chiropractor will provide physical therapy-type exercises and stretches to mobilize the joints.
Targeted exercises and stretches will help to maintain the adjustments and strengthen the body to prevent ROM worsening and future injuries.
Secrets of Optimal Wellness
References
Behm, David G et al. “Acute effects of muscle stretching on physical performance, range of motion, and injury incidence in healthy active individuals: a systematic review.” Applied physiology, nutrition, and metabolism = Physiologie appliquee, nutrition et metabolisme vol. 41,1 (2016): 1-11. doi:10.1139/apnm-2015-0235
Calixtre, L B et al. “Manual therapy for the management of pain and limited range of motion in subjects with signs and symptoms of temporomandibular disorder: a systematic review of randomized controlled trials.” Journal of oral rehabilitation vol. 42,11 (2015): 847-61. doi:10.1111/joor.12321
Fishman, Loren M. “Yoga and Bone Health.” Orthopedic nursing vol. 40,3 (2021): 169-179. doi:10.1097/NOR.0000000000000757
Lea, R D, and J J Gerhardt. “Range-of-motion measurements.” The Journal of Bone and joint surgery. American Volume vol. 77,5 (1995): 784-98. doi:10.2106/00004623-199505000-00017
Thomas, Ewan, et al. “The Relation Between Stretching Typology and Stretching Duration: The Effects on Range of Motion.” International Journal of sports medicine vol. 39,4 (2018): 243-254. doi:10.1055/s-0044-101146
The gluteal muscles/glutes comprise the buttocks. They are a powerful muscle group that consists of three muscles. The gluteus maximus, gluteus medius, and gluteus minimus. The glute muscles help power physical performance and daily movements like walking, standing, and sitting and help to prevent injuries to the core, back, abdominal muscles, and other supporting muscles and tissues. Individuals can develop a glute imbalance where one side becomes more dominant and activates more or is higher than the other. An imbalance that is not addressed can lead to further muscle imbalance, posture problems, and pain issues. Injury Medical Chiropractic and Functional Medicine Clinic can develop a personalized treatment plan to relieve symptoms and restore alignment, balance, and health.
Glute Muscle Imbalance
Strong, healthy glutes promote lumbopelvic stability and rhythm, meaning they keep the low back and pelvis in correct alignment to prevent strains and injuries. Glute imbalance occurs when one side of the glutes is larger, stronger, or more dominant. Glute imbalances are common and part of normal human anatomy, as the body is not perfectly symmetrical. Shifting and utilizing the more dominant side when taking on weight or picking up objects is normal, so the one side gets bigger. Just as an individual prefers one hand, arm, and leg over another, one glute side can work harder and become stronger.
Causes
There are several causes of glute muscle imbalance, including:
Anatomical variations- Everyone has uniquely shaped muscles, attachment points, and nerve pathways. These variations can make one side of the glutes more dominant or stronger.
Unhealthy posture.
Back pain symptoms can cause individuals to take on unhealthy postures and positioning, like leaning on one side.
Pre-existing injuries.
Inadequate rehabilitation from a previous injury.
Nerve injuries.
Ankle sprains can lead to reduced glute activation.
Improper training
Leg length discrepancies
Atrophy
Spine condition
Job occupation
Sports factors may prioritize one side of the body over the other.
Shifting the Body
When pain presents in one body area, signals are sent to caution the other muscles to contract/tighten as a protective mechanism to prevent further injury. These changes alter movement patterns, leading to muscular imbalances in the glutes and other areas. Individuals who do not rehabilitate from an injury properly can be left with an imbalance.
Chiropractic Relief and Restoration
This condition needs to be addressed to prevent further injuries and issues with posture. Treatment varies depending on the individual and the extent of the problem. A treatment plan to prevent and improve some forms of glute imbalance may include the following.
Spinal decompression will stretch out the body and muscles to a workable position.
Therapeutic massage will relax the muscles and increase blood flow.
Chiropractic adjustments to realign the spine and body.
Targeted stretches and exercises will be provided to maintain alignment.
Unilateral training or training one side of the body at a time can help build and strengthen the weaker side.
Core strengthening can work out the differences on both sides of the body.
Chiropractic Approach for Pain Relief
References
Bini, Rodrigo Rico, and Alice Flores Bini. “Comparison of linea alba length and core-muscles engagement during core and lower back orientated exercises.” Journal of Bodywork and movement therapies vol. 28 (2021): 131-137. doi:10.1016/j.jbmt.2021.07.006
Buckthorpe, Matthew, et al. “ASSESSING AND TREATING GLUTEUS MAXIMUS WEAKNESS – A CLINICAL COMMENTARY.” International Journal of sports physical therapy vol. 14,4 (2019): 655-669.
Elzanie A, Borger J. Anatomy, Bony Pelvis and Lower Limb, Gluteus Maximus Muscle. [Updated 2023 Apr 1]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2023 Jan-. Available from: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK538193/
Liu R, Wen X, Tong Z, Wang K, Wang C. Changes of gluteus medius muscle in the adult patients with unilateral developmental hip dysplasia. BMC Musculoskelet Disord. 2012;13(1):101. doi:10.1186/1471-2474-13-101
Lin CI, Khajooei M, Engel T, et al. The effect of chronic ankle instability on muscle activations in lower extremities. Li Y, ed. PLoS ONE. 2021;16(2):e0247581. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0247581
Pool-Goudzwaard, A. L. et al. “Insufficient lumbopelvic stability: a clinical, anatomical and biomechanical approach to ‘a-specific’ low back pain.” Manual therapy vol. 3,1 (1998): 12-20. doi:10.1054/math.1998.0311
Vazirian, Milad, et al. “Lumbopelvic rhythm during trunk motion in the sagittal plane: A review of the kinematic measurement methods and characterization approaches.” Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation vol. 3 (2016): 5. doi:10.7243/2055-2386-3-5
Individuals on their feet all day regularly experience back problems and discomfort symptoms. Wearing unstable shoes that are flat with no arch support with little or no shock absorption or the wrong type of shoe for gait can cause biomechanical issues that can cause back discomfort and lead to chronic back pain. Athletic running shoes are recommended for lower back pain because they are well-cushioned and designed to help absorb the impact of walking or running. They also have proper arch and ankle support to maintain foot position for correct posture. What to look for in running shoes to help relieve back pain and keep the back injury free?
Athletic Running Shoes
Shoes that don’t have enough cushioning can cause inflammation in the back muscles from the lack of impact absorption. The best athletic running shoes for back pain relief are stiff, supportive, and well-cushioned. When selecting shoes for back pain, the most important factors to consider are:
Stiffness of the sole.
Quality support and cushioning.
Proper and comfortable fit.
Shoe Type
Athletic running shoes are available in various types of support for all foot types.
Consider foot structure and gait when selecting shoes.
Flat and high-arched feet can cause muscle imbalances, which increase pressure on the back, hips, legs, knees, ankles, and feet.
The grooves and patterns increase friction and provide grip to the person while walking or running.
Durability
Wearing worn-out shoes with inadequate cushioning and shock absorption can increase the risk of back problems.
Depending on the uses, shoes can wear out in three months or less.
It is important to replace shoes when the cushioning wears out.
Look for high-quality material that doesn’t wear down quickly.
Improve Whole-Body Wellness
References
Anderson, Jennifer, et al. “A narrative review of musculoskeletal problems of the lower extremity and back associated with the interface between occupational tasks, feet, footwear, and flooring.” Musculoskeletal care vol. 15,4 (2017): 304-315. doi:10.1002/msc.1174
American Podiatric Medical Association. Which Running Shoe is Right for You?
Hong, Wei-Hsien, et al. “Effect of shoe heel height and total-contact insert on muscle loading and foot stability while walking.” Foot & ankle international vol. 34,2 (2013): 273-81. doi:10.1177/1071100712465817
National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases. Back Pain: Diagnosis, Treatment, and Steps to Take.
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. Low Back Pain Fact Sheet.
For individuals with aches and pains after walking, the first thing to check is posture. How an individual holds their body is important in walking effortlessly and comfortably. Improving walking posture will make it easier to breathe and walk farther and faster. Injury Medical Chiropractic and Functional Medicine Clinic can treat back problems, restore mobility, and retrain individuals on achieving and maintaining healthy posture.
Walking Posture
Sitting for extended periods weakens neck and back muscles and decreases spinal mobility, making it more difficult to maintain a healthy walking posture. Improving and maintaining healthy walking posture can go a long way regarding the body’s health.
Benefits
The benefits include:
Strengthened core, back, leg, and buttock muscles.
Improved balance and stability.
Easier breathing.
Increased energy levels.
Improved walking speed, distance, and gait.
Back and hip discomfort symptoms prevention.
Decreased risk of injury and falling.
Set Up Posture
Stand up straight.
Engage the core.
Relax shoulders.
Keep the chin parallel to the ground.
Eyes forward.
Minimize leaning forward or backward.
Spend the first 15 seconds of walking focusing on posture.
Once a rhythm is achieved, periodically check yourself to ensure you stay consistent with proper posture until it becomes normal.
Stand up Straight
Visualize standing tall and straight.
Resist the temptation to slouch or arch the back.
Control Leaning Forward or Back
Leaning strains the back muscles when sitting, standing, and walking.
Leaning slightly forward from the ankles when walking up a hill.
Going downhill, leaning slightly forward, or maintaining a straight back is okay.
Keep Eyes Forward
Avoid looking down.
The focus should be about 20 feet ahead.
Maintaining a forward visual path allows individuals to see anything from the side.
Keep Chin Parallel to the Ground
This reduces strain on the neck and back.
A proper chin position maintains forward focus rather than down.
Shoulders Back and Relaxed
Shrug and allow the shoulders to fall and relax slightly back.
Loosening up the shoulders helps relieve tension and…
Shrug and re-loosen at intervals during the walk to ensure the shoulders stay relaxed.
Engage Core Muscles
The core muscles help resist slouching and leaning.
Keep the stomach pulled in slightly.
Take deep, full breaths to maintain a healthy walking posture.
Maintain Neutral Pelvis
Ensure the hips are not tilting forward or back while walking.
Practice sticking out the buttocks, tucking them in, and finding a natural middle.
The middle is the healthy balance that will keep you from arching the back muscles and spine.
Devices
Resist the urge to engage with the phone or activity monitor while walking and looking down.
Only look when necessary and then mindfully regain posture.
Some activity monitors have vibration alerts to reduce the need to look down.
Utilize earbuds or headphones for making and taking calls and other tasks.
Certain earbuds or headphones allow for voice commands, so you don’t have to look at the phone.
Chiropractic Realignment and Retraining
Maintaining proper posture is a gradual process. A chiropractor can correct years of practicing unhealthy postures like forward head issues or chronic slouching and realign the spine to restore optimal function.
A chiropractic therapy team will work on bones and muscles in specific body regions.
Massage will relax the muscle tissues to restore correct balance.
Chiropractic techniques will realign the neck, spine, hips, and pelvis.
Strengthening and stretching exercises will maintain adjustments.
Posture retraining will teach individuals to stay aware of their spinal position and help create healthy habits.
Regular posture checks, whether at work, school, just walking around doing errands, or exercising, will help the body learn proper positioning until it becomes second nature.
Revitalize and Rebuild
References
Buldt, Andrew K et al. “The relationship between foot posture and plantar pressure during walking in adults: A systematic review.” Gait & Posture vol. 62 (2018): 56-67. doi:10.1016/j.gaitpost.2018.02.026
Hackford, Jessie, et al. “The effects of walking posture on affective and physiological states during stress.” Journal of behavior therapy and experimental psychiatry vol. 62 (2019): 80-87. doi:10.1016/j.jbtep.2018.09.004
Lin, Guohao, et al. “The relationship between forward head posture, postural control, and gait: A systematic review.” Gait & Posture vol. 98 (2022): 316-329. doi:10.1016/j.gaitpost.2022.10.008
Suh, Jee Hyun, et al. “The effect of lumbar stabilization and walking exercises on chronic low back pain: A randomized controlled trial.” Medicine vol. 98,26 (2019): e16173. doi:10.1097/MD.0000000000016173
Woollacott, Marjorie, and Anne Shumway-Cook. “Attention and the control of posture and gait: a review of an emerging area of research.” Gait & Posture vol. 16,1 (2002): 1-14. doi:10.1016/s0966-6362(01)00156-4
Percussive massage guns have become a standard tool in osteopathy, physical and massage therapy, and chiropractic care. They provide rapid bursts of force into muscle tissues to quickly loosen and relax the muscles to alleviate soreness, stiffness and increase circulation. Percussive massager therapy devices can be a healthy part of an exercise and recovery routine. They allow individuals to give themselves quick, powerful massages anytime and anywhere. But they need to be used correctly to reap the benefits.
Percussive Massager
These devices can be found in stores and online. Many are on the market, making it tough to separate high-quality massagers from low-quality ones. With a little research and advice from a physical therapist or chiropractic professional, they can help the individual get the right one and training on how to use them to maintain a healthy musculoskeletal system.
Percussive Therapy
Massage guns utilize percussive therapy or vibration therapy, sometimes simultaneously. Percussion and vibration therapy are slightly different. They are soft tissue manipulation, which reduces muscle soreness and post-physical activity, and workout fatigue.
Vibration therapy uses vibration movements to relax the body, alleviate stress and improve circulation.
Vibration therapy applies force to targeted areas but with less intensity.
This type of soft tissue therapy is generally defined as reaching eight to 10 millimeters into the soft tissues.
Vibration therapy is often recommended for individuals with chronic pain conditions, overly sensitive muscles, or a medical condition that prevents them from using percussive therapy.
Percussive therapy involves the application of force to muscles and fascia to break up adhesions and increase circulation to sore and sensitive areas.
Percussive therapy extends deeper into the muscles and reaches deep into soft tissue, estimated to be about 60% deeper.
Using It Properly
It’s important to know how to use the machine to get the most out of a percussive massager. Using the massager incorrectly can lead to further injury or the development of new injuries.
Before Workouts
A pre-workout massage session can help warm up the body by increasing circulation and improving the range of motion of the muscles that will be engaged during the workout. Spend one to two minutes massaging each muscle group that will be worked out, plus 30 seconds on supporting muscle groups. For example, here is a pre-workout massage for a leg workout.
Sixty seconds on each quadricep.
Sixty seconds on each hamstring.
Thirty seconds on the lower back.
Thirty seconds on each calf.
Circulation increases in less than five minutes, and the muscles are ready for exercise. However, this does not replace proper warming-up like dynamic stretching and light cardio to increase heart rate.
After Workouts
After working out, a percussive massage can be part of the cool-down.
Post-workout percussive therapy can help return the body from a heightened state to a resting state.
Percussive therapy helps reduce inflammation, which helps reduce post-workout muscle soreness is thought to occur due to microscopic tears in muscle fibers and inflammation in the tissues.
Percussive therapy maintains increased circulation after a workout, providing oxygen and nutrients to tired muscles.
The massage helps relax the nervous system by reducing soreness and pain signals, similar to a TENS unit.
Sore Muscles
The muscles may still be sore a day or two after working out. This is called delayed-onset muscle soreness/DOMS.
A percussive massage can help but may not completely alleviate DOMS but it will provide temporary relief.
The massager’s speed and depth settings should be adjusted to where they don’t cause pain.
Sore muscles tend to remain sensitive, and it is recommended to use the lower settings.
Once a setting feels good, use the massager for one to two minutes on each sore area.
How Not to Use
Individuals are recommended to consult a doctor if not sure of percussive massage therapy and should avoid using a percussive massager on:
Musculoskeletal injuries – sprains and strains.
Bony areas.
Areas of severe or unexplained pain.
Sensitive areas.
Bruises or open wounds.
Individuals with arthritis, osteoporosis, fibromyalgia, or other musculoskeletal conditions.
Percussive massage devices are safe to use for muscle soreness and as a tool to improve fitness.
Individuals can safely use a percussive massager every day as long as they use proper techniques and don’t exceed the recommended usage time, usually provided with instructions on how long to use the device during a session. And some massagers have an automatic shut-off so the individual doesn’t exceed the recommended time.
Revitalize and Rebuild with Chiropractic
References
Cheatham, Scott W et al. “Mechanical Percussion Devices: A Survey of Practice Patterns Among Healthcare Professionals.” International journal of sports physical therapy vol. 16,3 766-777. 2 Jun. 2021, doi:10.26603/001c.23530
Dupuy, Olivier, et al. “An Evidence-Based Approach for Choosing Post-exercise Recovery Techniques to Reduce Markers of Muscle Damage, Soreness, Fatigue, and Inflammation: A Systematic Review With Meta-Analysis.” Frontiers in physiology vol. 9 403. 26 Apr. 2018, doi:10.3389/fphys.2018.00403
García-Sillero, Manuel et al. “Acute Effects of a Percussive Massage Treatment on Movement Velocity during Resistance Training.” International journal of environmental research and public health vol. 18,15 7726. 21 Jul. 2021, doi:10.3390/ijerph18157726
Hotfiel, Thilo, et al. “Advances in Delayed-Onset Muscle Soreness (DOMS): Part I: Pathogenesis and Diagnostics.” “Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness – Teil I: Pathogenese und Diagnostik.” Sportverletzung Sportschaden : Organ der Gesellschaft fur Orthopadisch-Traumatologische Sportmedizin vol. 32,4 (2018): 243-250. doi:10.1055/a-0753-1884
Imtiyaz, Shagufta, et al. “To Compare the Effect of Vibration Therapy and Massage in Prevention of Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness (DOMS).” Journal of Clinical and diagnostic research: JCDR vol. 8,1 (2014): 133-6. doi:10.7860/JCDR/2014/7294.3971
Konrad, Andreas, et al. “The Acute Effects of a Percussive Massage Treatment with a Hypervolt Device on Plantar Flexor Muscles’ Range of Motion and Performance.” Journal of sports science & Medicine vol. 19,4 690-694. 19 Nov. 2020
The hips play a crucial role in maintaining stability and mobility in the body. However, incorrect actions can lead to misalignment and pain in the hip muscles, causing discomfort and affecting other muscles and joints. This article focuses on the hip flexor muscles and how assessing them with MET therapy can reduce pain and restore hip mobility. We utilize and incorporate valuable information about our patients to certified medical providers using MET therapy to relieve chronic muscle pain associated with the hip flexor muscles. We encourage and refer patients to associated medical providers based on their findings while supporting that education is a remarkable and fantastic way to ask our providers the essential questions at the patient’s acknowledgment. Dr. Alex Jimenez, D.C., comprises this information as an educational service. Disclaimer
What Are The Hip Flexor Muscles?
Do you have any pain in your hips? Does shifting your weight from one side to the other help relieve the pain? Do you feel pain shooting down from your hips to your legs? These symptoms may be due to pain in your hip flexor muscles. Research studies reveal that these muscles support other muscle groups like the trunk and legs, allowing for proper muscle activity when lifting your legs straight during functional tests for the hips and pelvis. The hip flexors in your hips consist of six muscles that aid in stability and mobility:
Psoas Major
Iliacus
Rectus Femoris
Sartorius
Adductor Longus
Tensor Fasciae Latae
Additional studies have revealed that the hip flexor muscles are crucial in supporting the lower back and maintaining stability. These six muscles aid in hip movements such as deep flexion, adduction, and external rotation, among other functions. The relationship between the hip flexors and the lumbar spine is particularly strong. However, if these muscles become tight, it can negatively affect performance and lead to other issues.
Hip Pain Associated With The Musculoskeletal System
Hip pain can be caused by tight hip flexor muscles, which can be affected by various factors such as health issues, injuries, or environmental factors. Research studies have shown that lower extremity injuries can reduce performance and cause pain-like symptoms associated with the musculoskeletal system. Tight hip flexors can be caused by prolonged sitting, incorrect lifting, or repetitive actions, leading to stretched or shortened muscles and the development of nodules. This can contribute to musculoskeletal disorders and uneven hips. Various treatments are available to realign the body and strengthen the hip flexor muscles.
Non-Surgical Solution: Chiropractic Care- Video
Do you struggle with instability while walking or find yourself leaning more on one leg than the other? Perhaps you experience constant hip pain. Misalignment in the hips caused by environmental factors can lead to instability and pain-like symptoms associated with tight hip flexor muscles. These issues can cause musculoskeletal disorders that overlap and result in spinal subluxation. Research studies mentioned that it could be difficult to diagnose hip pain because it often presents as referred pain from the lumbar spine or knee joint. This means uneven or tight hips could cause low back or knee pain. Treatments are available to reduce hip pain and gently stretch flexor muscles. The video above demonstrates how chiropractic care can offer non-surgical solutions to realign the body and relieve stress in the surrounding muscles.
Assessing The Hip Flexors With MET Therapy
If you are experiencing stiffness or pain in your hips due to tight hip flexors, you can improve your mobility and prevent future issues in several ways. Studies have revealed that physical therapy involving RICE (rest, ice, compression, and elevation) can help restore muscle strength and range of motion. Soft tissue treatment combined with physical therapy can also be effective in restoring hip mobility. In their book “Clinical Application of Neuromuscular Techniques,” Dr. Judith Walker DeLany, L.M.T., and Dr. Leon Chaitow, N.D., D.O. explain that Muscle Energy Techniques (MET) can gently stretch the hip flexor muscles and restore mobility and range of motion in the hip joint. MET therapy can lengthen tight hip flexor muscles, reduce referred pain, and improve the hip’s function.
Conclusion
When the hips and the muscles around them start to cause pain that spreads to the rest of the body, it can lead to uncomfortable symptoms that cause people to shift their weight to compensate for the pain. This can happen because of environmental factors like sitting for too long or overstretching the muscles, which makes the hip flexors tight and can lead to pain in the hips and lower back. However, physical therapy combined with muscle energy techniques (MET) can help relieve the pain and realign the hips with the body. These treatments let the body naturally heal the affected muscles so that people can be pain-free.
References
Ahuja, Vanita, et al. “Chronic Hip Pain in Adults: Current Knowledge and Future Prospective.” Journal of Anaesthesiology, Clinical Pharmacology, 2020, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8022067/.
Chaitow, Leon, and Judith Walker DeLany. Clinical Applications of Neuromuscular Techniques. Churchill Livingstone, 2003.
Konrad, Andreas, et al. “The Influence of Stretching the Hip Flexor Muscles on Performance Parameters. A Systematic Review with Meta-Analysis.” International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 17 Feb. 2021, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7922112/.
Mills, Matthew, et al. “Effect of Restricted Hip Flexor Muscle Length on Hip Extensor Muscle Activity and Lower Extremity Biomechanics in College-Aged Female Soccer Players.” International Journal of Sports Physical Therapy, Dec. 2015, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4675195/.
Tyler, Timothy F, et al. “Rehabilitation of Soft Tissue Injuries of the Hip and Pelvis.” International Journal of Sports Physical Therapy, Nov. 2014, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4223288/.
Yamane, Masahiro, et al. “Understanding the Muscle Activity Pattern of the Hip Flexors during Straight Leg Raising in Healthy Subjects.” Progress in Rehabilitation Medicine, 16 Feb. 2019, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7365227.
The thigh muscles provide mobility and stability to the hips and upper body. They allow for leg extension and flexion while also stabilizing the pelvis. The adductors and hamstrings are two muscle groups that work together to enable running, jumping, squatting, and sprinting. However, overuse of these muscles can lead to musculoskeletal pain, which can cause discomfort and misalignment in the body. This article will focus on the hamstring and adductor muscles, the impact of muscle pain and strain on these muscles, and how MET therapy can help. We utilize and incorporate valuable information about our patients to certified medical providers using MET therapy to relieve chronic muscle pain associated with the hamstrings and the adductor muscles. We encourage and refer patients to associated medical providers based on their findings while supporting that education is a remarkable and fantastic way to ask our providers the essential questions at the patient’s acknowledgment. Dr. Alex Jimenez, D.C., comprises this information as an educational service. Disclaimer
Hamstrings & Adductor Muscles
Do you feel pain in your upper thigh? Does walking or running cause you problems? Are you experiencing pain in your knees when you stretch your legs? These issues may be related to the hamstrings and adductor muscles in your thighs. These muscles provide stability and mobility to your thighs and lower extremities. Studies reveal that the hamstring muscles are a group of three individual muscles that play a crucial role in daily activities. Their main functions include:
Hip extension and knee flexion.
Allowing you to perform a variety of movements, such as standing and sprinting.
Jumping.
The hamstrings and adductors play important roles in a person’s gait cycle and in controlling pelvic posture. The hamstrings help extend the hip and flex the knee, while the adductor muscles stabilize the hips and pelvis. Research studies show that the adductor muscles come from the pelvis and stop at the femur in the legs. They are crucial for stabilizing the pelvis and maintaining balance in the lower limbs during walking. However, these muscles are prone to injuries despite their significant roles in lower extremity function.
Muscle Pain & Strain On The Hamstring-Adductors
Injuries to the hamstrings and adductor muscles can result from several factors. Overstretching the adductor muscles may lead to high hamstring pain, while athletes may experience limping if they pop their hamstrings. Studies reveal that eccentric actions on these muscles can cause extreme joint positions, making the muscle fibers vulnerable to strain-related injuries. Repetitive movements can develop small nodules known as trigger points that cause radiating pain to the hamstrings and adductor muscles. Additional studies reveal that a lack of mechanical advantage can make these muscles susceptible to strain. Fortunately, various treatments are available to alleviate muscle pain and strain in the hamstrings and adductors.
Why Choose Chiropractic?- Video
Do you have muscle pain in your hamstrings or adductor muscles? Does it cause you to limp or feel tightness in your hamstrings? These issues are related to muscle pain affecting these muscles, which work together to provide stability and mobility to the lower extremities. Environmental factors or repetitive actions can lead to overlapping risk factors, causing misalignment and dysfunction in the body. This can lead to muscle disability and difficulty walking. Fortunately, chiropractic care and soft tissue treatments like MET therapy can help reduce pain and re-mobilize the joint back to functionality. The video above explains how chiropractic care uses manual manipulation to reduce spine subluxation while stretching and strengthening the muscles surrounding the joints.
MET Therapy Assessing The Hamstrings & Adductors
If you’re experiencing muscle pain and strain in your hamstrings and adductor muscles, treatments available can help. According to a book by Leon Chaitow and Judith Walker DeLany, called “Clinical Application of Neuromuscular Techniques,” pain specialists use muscle energy techniques (MET) can be used to stretch the affected muscles and reduce pain in that area. Using MET, pain specialists can also help restore mobility and flexibility to your thigh and lower body extremities. This treatment can be very helpful in relieving pain and restoring stability to your body.
Conclusion
The hamstrings and adductor muscles work together to provide stability and mobility to the thighs and lower extremities. While they have similar and different functions, both are crucial for standing, running, and walking. However, injuries can occur when these muscles are overstretched or damaged due to repetitive actions, resulting in misalignment in the body. Fortunately, soft tissue treatments such as MET therapy or chiropractic care can help realign the body, stretch out the muscle tissues, and restore mobility and stability to these muscles. This can help individuals walk without experiencing any pain.
References
Afonso, José, et al. “The Hamstrings: Anatomic and Physiologic Variations and Their Potential Relationships with Injury Risk.” Frontiers in Physiology, 7 July 2021, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8294189/.
Chaitow, Leon, and Judith Walker DeLany. Clinical Applications of Neuromuscular Techniques. Churchill Livingstone, 2003.
Jeno, Susan H, and Gary S Schindler. “Anatomy, Bony Pelvis and Lower Limb: Thigh Adductor Magnus Muscle.” In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL), 1 Aug. 2022, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK534842/.
Rodgers, Cooper D, and Avais Raja. “Anatomy, Bony Pelvis and Lower Limb, Hamstring Muscle.” In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL), 29 Jan. 2022, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK546688/.
Tyler, Timothy F, et al. “Groin Injuries in Sports Medicine.” Sports Health, May 2010, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3445110/.
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