A while back I talked about how my hip injury had started to flare up again. Fresh off the heels of Boston and Big Sur, I didn’t want to risk it. I know what would happen if I pushed myself too hard and I wasn’t about to sit this season out. Thus, I iced like crazy and took a good two weeks off, with only light running towards the end. I also started to ask everyone I know for chiropractor recommendations. My insurance doesn’t cover chiropractic care, so I was on the hunt for someone with glowing recommendations, close, affordable, and someone who is a runner – so they “get” it. I finally found Hands On Chiropractic in Pleasanton and was hopeful that we could get this problem figured out asap.
Unlike the expensive chiropractor that I went to in the past, this chiropractor requires that you get x-rays at his office. What?! At first I was a little hesitant as what chiropractor requires this? Sounds like a way to make some additional moo-la to me. I was not happy about shelling out the cash, but plastered on a smile and went with it. When I returned for my follow-up appointment, I knew there wasn’t going to be anything groundbreaking revealed in the x-rays; nothing was broken. However, what was revealed ended up being worth the extra money.
What’s that you say? You can’t read x-rays? Well allow me and my super official doctor jargon try and explain what’s going on here. Apparently my left leg is 9 mm shorter than my right one, and anything over 6 mm is considered “clinically significant” (or so they say). Then, because of the disproportionate weight and force distribution, my spine is starting to curve. There is no significant damage yet, but by taking preventative steps now I can help re-align my spine and prevent further injury as I start to age.
I’m all about preventative care, so here are the next steps:
- Weekly chiropractor visits for a readjustment (duh, of course they would recommend that)
- Wearing a small insert in my left shoes for the rest of my life (sad, but true)
- Daily stretches to help loosen the ligaments, not muscles
Overall, I ended up quite happy that I took the course of action that I did. I’ve had various doctors guess that one leg is longer than the other, but now it was confirmed and it makes so much sense given my past injury record. I do miss the ART that my other chiropractor did, but I guess I love not spending as much even more.
Tell me, do you go to a chiropractor? How did it work out for you?
Happy Running!
I love the ART that I get from my chiropractor! I think it really helped me recover from my injury last summer and stay healthy!
Holy cow. Don’t you love x-ray surprises? I had a similar issue after a back injury when I was swimming in college, and they discovered via hip x-ray that I have “moderate” scoliosis in the lumbar region of my back. It turns out this explains why I’ve always had hip problems (bursitis, tendinitis) and why my left leg is prone to shin splints, and perhaps even why I had a random stress fracture about 4 years ago! It was shockingly revelatory. Reading about your experience above, I almost want to recommend x-rays and some kind of analysis so that people can make changes to prevent injury.
Aw thanks for the bday wishes, it’s fun to spread it out over a couple days
I wonder if I have a similar issue with a height difference in my legs? I had a random stress fracture in my pelvis last year that took me out of running for almost 5 months. They never did a detailed analysis of it, but perhaps if it had been a more running-centric ortho MD, they would have thought to look more into the cause.
Hope the insert helps!
Holy COW! I have had hip alignment problems but never been to a chiropractor. I just know as I run more and more my left hip is higher than my right – i can see it in the mirror. I got a “chiropractic” massage and that helped but I don’t really have much pain – only the occasional hip flexor ache. I worry about causing problems – I feel like I am slumping a lot more lately – kind of makes me want to find a chiropractor and have myself checked out.
Wow, 9 mm is indeed a big difference! That is almost a full centimeter! If you take out a ruler and look at the difference it looks even bigger!
Glad that you got it figured out, sounds like you are on the right track to being pain free!
I’ve gone to a chiropractor mainly for ART therapy for my IT band, I thought it definitely helped. They didn’t take xrays though, maybe they should have. If I do have a problem, it always seems to be with my left side.
My right leg is almost an inch shorter than my left. It causes a lot of pain. It only started after a nasty fall in basketball almost a year ago. And its only gotten worse. My hip pops almost everytime i move it, and i always walk with a limp. Im afraid its messing up my back. Im currently in volleyball. And i refuse to be pulled from my position. I guess i may have to though.
One of my legs is longer than the other, too. And I also wear a wedge under the orthotic of my left running shoe! It made a load of difference with my foot problems leading up to a race.
My mom once said I was leaning more in one direction when I was running on a treadmill one day, so maybe I should get my spine checked out too. But only if my insurance covers it.
Wow. Your blog today was almost spot on to my experience last year. I too am in the “Titled Hips, Shorter Left Leg Club”. It was not a shock, but none the less eye opener.
I’ve been going now for about 10 months with weekly adjustments and ART. Over all it’s been great. But one thing you mentioned was not suggested to me, the insert in the left shoe. To me that makes sense. I’m going to ask my Chiro tomorrow, but where did you buy yours? And is/was it custom made?
I had never been to a chiropractor until I started running. I didn’t believe in them. I am a believer now. My chiro can help most aches and pains that I come in with and get me back out there runnign with less pain almost immediately.
You know I am a BIG fan of my chiro and ART – has helped me a ton! I can’t wait to go back this week
Sounds like you have some answers to help your hip, I hope they work!
I hope all of these new things help your hip! I’ve never been to a chiro or had ART, but it seems like both have helped a lot of runners.
I love it when you get answers from doctors. Sorry about the insert. I suppose one gets use to it just like glasses? Happy running to you, too!
Um ouch.. glad you got that checked out! we have an inversion table that the hubs swears by, but i hate the feeling of all the blood rushing to my head!
My chiro does that and it is WONDERFUL once you let go and let it do its magic. I resisted for a while though!
WOW I think I have similiar issues. My spine now has a curve that we hope someday can be reversed. THe main issue is money I don’t have it for the chiro, but I LOVE mine when I do go see him (Also for a hip injury!). Good luck getting it under control. I know mine flares up worse when I road run so I stay on trails, but I wish I didn’t have it at all! My hip locks in and out of place sometimes so I baby it luckily I’ve always been able to run through it!
Yay answers! Glad you found the culprit. Hopefully youll see the short leg lengthen a little so you don’t have to wear an insert for the rest of your life, but at least the problem is relatively easy to solve!
I’ve been under chiro care for about 26 yrs (aka my whole life). I go about every two weeks and always need at least one adjustment! So sure it seems “hokey” that they want you to come in every week or so, but i figure i need it if i am having subluxations. your spine takes a beating with running, bad posture, etc. Eventually you can “train” your muscles to hold everything in the right spot but you’d still need the occasional checkup. (this is all my “expert” opinion of course haha). Anyway, at least chiro is non-invasive and not going to push prescriptions! Good luck
would you be totally weirded out if i had the same problem? because i do. they told me that when i was in 8th grade my difference was significant. this year was the first time SINCE i was 14 not wearing orthotics with a heal lift in my shoe. i’ve been wearing a stability shoe with out my orthotics and without the lift. i’m not sure how many actual mm’s my difference is but it really bothered me in high school. since marathoning, i’ve only had feet issues, which i feel also stem from hip issues.
anyways, if you need to vent, i get it!
Hey girl! Glad you found an answer, I have literally the exact same thing and struggled with it throughout high school soccer and college rugby. It still flares up once in a while! Either way – wanted to let you know I had a ton of success with physical therapy including a chiropractor and lower ab exercises. Your case might be totally different, but strengthening my lower abs made my hips feel WAY better, even though the pain was due to my leg length. Good luck and thanks for being such a great runner blogger
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good grief, just LOOK at your poor spine! I’m glad you have a solid resolution. I’m having ART done on me right now by a chiro. I’ve only had one session but it felt like everything in me completely loosened up, including some things that maybe shouldn’t have. oops.
I have a similar issue with one of my legs and getting the insert for my shoe has been a miracle worker (of course mine are also orthotics so it was a double win)! My only complaint is that since I’m too cheap to purchase another pair of orthotics ($300 each), I only have 1 pair of shoes I can wear at a given time for working out (i.e. I can’t have a backup in case I forget my shoes). But I’ve just learned to plan ahead a little more. I have a terrific sports chiropractor/therapist I work with who really has helped make all the difference!! Glad you got it figured out!!
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Nelly just directed me to this post because I am having similar problems. I think my left leg is longer — I can actually look in the mirror and see one hip is higher than the other (or I’m losing my mind). I have seriously hurt myself and my marathon is in 26 days!! Maybe I should try the Chiro but like you said, my insurance doesn’t cover it! Time to get recommendations.
Great post, by the way!
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