Lower back and hip pain on one side

7 Causes Of Lower Back And Hip Pain On One Side

/in /by

Did you know lower back pain is one of the most common musculoskeletal problems in all of humanity? Studies have shown that at least 8 in 10 adults deal with it at some point in their lives – and about 10 percent chronically. And while less common, hip pain is another big deal for an awful lot of people, especially as we all inevitably age. But what about simultaneous lower back and hip pain on one side of the body only? If your search for solutions has ended up here, it’s likely you’re experiencing:

  • Localised, shooting, dull, constant or intermittent lower back/hip pain on one side
  • Radiating pain from the lower back or hip down a buttock, thigh or even into the leg/foot
  • Stiffness, especially after sitting or lying down
  • Limited range of motion, especially bending, twisting or prolonged standing
  • Numbness, tingling, ‘pins and needles’ in the lower back, hip, buttock, thigh or leg
  • Muscle weakness on the affected side
  • Limp, or altered gait & walking pattern.

Back and hip pain deserves a diagnosis

First up, if any of this sounds like you, it’s definitely time to visit a healthcare professional for an assessment and accurate diagnosis. But before you make an appointment, bear in mind that the most likely cause of your particular issue is probably one (or more) of the following:

1. Muscle strain/sprain

With a bit of luck, you’ve just overused a couple of muscles, strained a ligament with a sudden move, or a sprain may even have been caused by poor body mechanics.

Luckily, some basic physical therapy, gentle stretching or pure-and-simple rest can help with both the pain and healing.

2. Musculoskeletal imbalances

If the muscles are imbalanced or posture is poor, uneven stresses are placed on the lower back and hip – which can result in that one-sided pain. But the great news is a comprehensive approach involving chiropractic adjustments, postural corrections and tailored exercises can help hugely to promote a re-balancing and alleviation of pain.

3. Sciatica

Sciatica is a worrying and often very painful condition caused by the compression or irritation of the sciatic nerve, which runs from the lower back and down the legs. Sciatica symptoms very commonly present as pain on just one side of the back, buttocks and a single leg, and can be helped by:

  • Stretching/exercises
  • Chiropractic adjustments & other manual therapies
  • Injections or surgical intervention.

4. Herniated disc

Otherwise known as a slipped disc or bulging disc, it happens when the soft inner material of a spinal disc protrudes through the outer layer – irritating those sensitive nerves. And while surgery is necessary in severe cases, it quite often heals over time with rest, exercises and physical therapy, while therapeutic chiropractic care is known as a powerful non-surgical alternative.

5. Sacroiliac joint dysfunction

The triangular bone at the case of the spine is called the sacrum, which is connected to the hip bones via the sacroiliac joints. Dysfunction, injury or inflammation of the joints can result in lower back and hip pain on one side, and there are multiple potential treatments including:

  • Specific chiropractic adjustments & mobilisation techniques
  • Stabilisation exercises
  • Injections & radiofrequency ablation.

6. Osteoarthritis

Ongoing wear & tear of joints including the hip and (lower back) facet joints can eventually lead to osteoarthritis, a painful degenerative disease affecting the critical protective tissues. It’s particularly common in the weight-bearing hip and lower back, and while a trip to the chiropractor isn’t going to reverse it, the pain and joint function can most definitely be helped over time.

7. Bursitis

The bursae are little fluid-filled sacs located near joints, which act like cushions between bones, tendons, muscles and other tissues. There are several of these bursae in and around the lower back and particularly the hips, and we call it bursitis when the sacs become inflamed. Joint mobilisation and various soft tissue techniques can really help to manage the pain and promote the affected bursae. The patient needs to do a lot of gentle strengthening exercises for the area of involvement.

Local Chiropractor Sydney North Shore

Book an appointment with experienced welcoming staff at our chiropractic clinic in Sydney.
Book now!

Get back and hip pain relief at LRCC

As you can tell, low back hip pain right side only (or low back hip pain left side only!) is a complex condition with plenty of potential causes and treatments. From strained muscles to damaged discs to sciatica, osteoarthritis and beyond, there are a lot of underlying factors and causes – but there’s also a unifying factor that offers plenty of hope for relief: Longueville Road Chiropractic Centre.

Visiting a chiropractor is now widely recognised as among the safest and most effective ways to treat many conditions often without drugs, surgery or other invasive solutions. Is one-sided lower back hip pain getting you down? Why not give the local chiropractor Sydney North Shore a call right here at LRCC?