Hip Pain in Macomb: An Educational Guide to a Commonly Discussed Topic
An educational resource for people in Macomb County who want to understand hip pain — where it is felt, what it is commonly associated with, and how chiropractors approach the hip, pelvis, and lower spine as a connected structure.
At a Glance
How people in Macomb describe hip discomfort
Hip pain is pain or discomfort felt in or around the hip joint — the joint connecting the thigh bone to the pelvis. Because that joint is used constantly for walking, standing, sitting and balance, people describe it in a wide range of ways. Below are patterns that come up often in everyday conversation.
Discomfort deep in the joint
Some people describe discomfort felt inside the hip joint itself or toward the groin, particularly when rotating the leg or getting in and out of a car.
Tenderness on the side
Soreness over the bony point on the outside of the hip is a frequent description, sometimes noticed when lying on that side at night.
Pain that travels
Discomfort in the buttock or down the back of the thigh is commonly discussed, and is often part of the same conversation as the low back and sciatic nerve.
Stiffness at either end of the day
Hip discomfort can be more noticeable on first waking, and it is also common for people to describe noticing it at night.
Limping, popping, catching
Limping, a snapping or popping sensation, reduced range of motion, and stiffness are all commonly reported alongside hip pain.
Walking, bending, twisting
Many people first notice hip discomfort during ordinary activity — walking the neighborhood, bending to lift, or twisting while working around the house.
The hip is one part of a larger structure
The hip does not work alone. It sits between the pelvis and the thigh, and the nerves that supply it travel from the lower spine. That is why hip pain and low back pain are so often discussed together.
The hip joint
A ball-and-socket joint connecting the femur to the pelvis. It carries body weight and is central to walking, standing and balance.
The pelvis
The foundation the spine sits on. Its position influences how weight is distributed through both hips.
The lower spine
The nerves that travel to the hips exit from the lumbar spine, which is why the low back is part of most hip conversations.
Muscles & tendons
The muscles crossing the hip can become overused, and tendon irritation around the joint is a commonly discussed source of discomfort.
Bursae
Small fluid-filled sacs that reduce friction around the joint. Irritation of a bursa is referred to as bursitis.
The sciatic nerve
Travels from the lower spine through the buttock and down the leg. Sciatica is one of the causes commonly associated with hip pain.
Dr. Chris McNeil, D.C., of Macomb Township Chiropractic
Dr. Chris McNeil grew up in Metro Detroit in a medical family — both of his parents worked as registered nurses — and knew early that he wanted to work in the medical profession.
After a severe auto accident during high school that required extensive surgery and physical therapy, he enrolled at Wayne State University with the intention of becoming a physical therapist. While there, a high school friend attending Life University introduced him to chiropractic. He changed his major, and went on to graduate from Life University in Marietta, Georgia in 2002.
He has practiced in Macomb County ever since, at Macomb Township Chiropractic on Hayes Road. His areas of focus are chiropractic rehabilitation and disc decompression therapy.
Training & certifications
- Doctor of Chiropractic, Life University, Marietta, Georgia (2002)
- First chiropractor in Michigan certified in Chiropractic Biophysics (CBP)
- Certified in the Kennedy disc decompression therapy technique
- Focus areas: chiropractic rehabilitation and disc decompression
- Practicing in Macomb County, Michigan for over two decades
How a chiropractic office typically approaches the conversation
People often want to know what actually happens at a chiropractic office before they call. The general sequence below describes how a first visit is commonly structured — not a promise of any particular outcome.
Consultation
A conversation about what you are experiencing, when you notice it, your history, and your daily activity.
Examination
A physical and postural examination. X-rays are used in this practice to look at spinal and pelvic alignment.
Review of findings
Dr. McNeil reviews what the examination showed and discusses whether chiropractic care fits your situation.
Individualized plan
If care is appropriate, a plan is built for the individual rather than applied from a template.
Macomb Township Chiropractic
Dr. Chris McNeil, D.C.Macomb, MI 48044
Why chiropractors look at the spine and pelvis when someone mentions the hip
Chiropractic is a licensed, drug-free healthcare profession focused on the spine, the pelvis, posture, and how the body functions as a connected structure.
When someone describes hip discomfort, a chiropractor’s attention is generally not limited to the hip joint alone. The alignment of the spine and pelvis affects how weight travels through the hips, and the nerves supplying the hip region originate in the lower spine. Macomb Township Chiropractic describes chiropractic care as working to restore proper alignment of the spine and pelvis, which is discussed in relation to muscle function and mobility around the hip.
For the practice’s own description of hip pain and the services offered, see the Macomb Township Chiropractic hip pain page.
A local educational resource for Macomb County, Michigan
Macomb Township Chiropractic is located at 48866 Hayes Road in Macomb, Michigan, and serves people throughout Macomb Township, Sterling Heights, Shelby Township, Clinton Township, Warren, Chesterfield, New Baltimore, and the surrounding Metro Detroit area.
This site exists to explain a commonly searched health topic in plain language. It is not medical advice, and it does not promise any particular result. Anyone with a specific concern about their hip should speak with a qualified healthcare provider about their own situation.
Related resources
→ Continue with our guide to hip bursitis in Macomb County, a commonly discussed source of outer-hip discomfort.
→ Read the full hip pain and chiropractic reference guide for detailed questions and answers.
→ Visit the practice’s own hip pain page at Macomb Township Chiropractic.
→ Follow practice updates on the Macomb Township Chiropractic Facebook page.
→ For office availability, call (586) 566-2273.
Questions people in Macomb often ask about hip pain
What is hip pain?
Hip pain is pain or discomfort felt in or around the hip joint. The hip joint connects the thigh bone to the pelvis and is one of the largest joints in the body. It is used constantly for moving, walking, supporting body weight, and maintaining balance.
Where is hip pain usually felt?
Hip discomfort is commonly described in the thigh, inside the hip joint, the groin area, the outside of the hip joint, or the buttocks. It may come and go, and it is often described as worse while walking or moving.
What is hip pain commonly associated with?
The muscles, tendons, ligaments, and nerves around the hip can become overused and become a constant source of pain. Hip pain can also be associated with injury, bursitis, tendinitis, inflammation, or sciatica.
Why are hip pain and low back pain often discussed together?
The nerves that travel to the hip region exit from the lower spine, and the pelvis is the foundation the spine sits on. Because of that structural relationship, the low back, pelvis, and hips are usually considered together rather than in isolation.
What do chiropractors focus on when someone describes hip pain?
Chiropractic focuses on the alignment of the spine and pelvis, posture, and how the body functions as a connected structure. Rather than looking at the hip joint alone, a chiropractor typically examines how the spine and pelvis are positioned and how that relates to the hip region.
Who is Dr. Chris McNeil?
Dr. Chris McNeil, D.C. is a chiropractor at Macomb Township Chiropractic, located at 48866 Hayes Road, Macomb, Michigan 48044. He graduated from Life University in 2002, was the first chiropractor in Michigan certified in the Chiropractic Biophysics technique, and is certified in the Kennedy disc decompression therapy technique.
Do I need a referral to schedule a consultation?
No referral is needed. You can call Macomb Township Chiropractic directly at (586) 566-2273 to schedule a consultation with Dr. McNeil.
Want to learn more about the hip, the pelvis, and chiropractic care?
If you have questions about a topic covered on this site, the best starting point is a conversation. Dr. McNeil welcomes calls from people in the Macomb County community.
Call (586) 566-2273Dr. Chris McNeil, D.C.
Macomb, MI 48044