Treating pelvic tilt with chiropractic care can work because this treatment is focused on realigning bones that have been pushed out of joints by an illness or injury. Since pelvic tilt is caused by a misalignment of the pelvic bone, a chiropractor can adjust the bones in that area to reduce your pain and discomfort.
What Is Pelvic Tilt?
The pelvis is the large bone that sits at the bottom of your spine. It consists of your hip bones and the coccyx, also called the “tail bone.”
Unlike many of the other bones in your spine, the pelvis is not meant to move. It is not meant to tilt or twist when you move around; it is supposed to sit in a certain alignment with the rest of your body. Pelvic tilt, also called a tilted pelvis, occurs if your pelvis slants too far:
- Forward
- Backward
- To one side
Pelvic Tilt Symptoms
Symptoms vary from person to person. Some people feel fine and do not even realize their pelvis is tilted. Others experience bothersome symptoms that affect their everyday lives, including:
- Lower back pain
- Pain in other joints, such as the knees
- Pain or stress in the leg muscles
- Trouble walking
- Unusual gait or posture
Causes of Pelvic Tilt
Each kind of pelvic tilt (forward, backward, or to the side) comes with its own set of risk factors. Some common causes of this condition include:
- Excessive time spent sitting down
- Not getting enough exercise
- Bad posture while sitting or standing
- Birth defects
- Degenerative conditions, such as arthritis or scoliosis
- Pregnancy
Why Does Chiropractic Care Work on Pelvic Tilt?
According to the Cleveland Clinic, chiropractic adjustment involves a trained and licensed chiropractor to manipulate certain bones and joints. This care makes it a good choice for dealing with pelvic tilt, which is primarily a bone and joint issue.
During Your Chiropractic Adjustment Session
Your chiropractor will do most of the work during your session. They will have you lie down on a specially designed table and make sure you are comfortable before they begin.
As your chiropractor works, you might hear your joints crack. This is normal and nothing to worry about. The procedure should be painless or almost painless, so if you ever feel more than minimal discomfort, speak up right away.
After Chiropractic Care
After your chiropractic adjustment session has ended, feel free to ask your chiropractor any questions you have about what to expect. They can offer important advice about how you might feel and what you can do (such as staying hydrated) to get the most out of your treatment.
Your chiropractor can also tell you how to deal with any side effects of the treatment. Side effects are typically mild and easy to cope with, but do not hesitate to inform your chiropractor of any concerns you have.
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How Does Treating Pelvic Tilt With Chiropractic Care Work?
As with any other treatment regimen, it is important that you find the right providers to guide you through the process. A competent, caring provider should:
Be Licensed to Offer Chiropractic Care
Chiropractic adjustments can be dangerous if performed by someone who does not know what they are doing. Before deciding on a provider, ask about their credentials and past experience.
Do not let a chiropractor start treatment unless and until you are satisfied with their credentials. If they refuse to show you a certificate or answer your questions, do not take the risk: find a provider who is more open and willing to work with you.
Ask You About the Pelvic Tilt Symptoms
Your first appointment should be devoted to you and your provider getting to know each other. Your provider will ask you a series of questions about:
- When your pain started
- Where and when you experience pain and what it feels like
- Your overall medical history
- How your pain affects your ability to live your life
- What your treatment goals are
- Any specific treatments you want to try (or avoid)
They can also request that you undergo certain tests, such as x-rays, or ask to look at your medical records. All of this is to give them a better idea of what is causing your pain.
Diagnose Pelvic Tilt or Something Else
Many conditions, such as a herniated disc or a pulled muscle, can cause symptoms similar to those caused by a tilted pelvis. The treatments for these conditions, however, may all be very different. That is why it is vital to accurately diagnose your condition before you begin treatment.
After talking with you and evaluating test results, your provider can put a name to the symptoms you have been experiencing.
Recommend Pelvic Tilt Treatment Options
With a diagnosis in hand, your provider can suggest one or more treatments that might work best, given your condition and overall health. They can:
- Explain the benefits and possible risks of each treatment option
- Answer whatever questions you have
- Help you set up an appointment for your first treatment
Monitor You Throughout Your Pelvic Tilt Treatment Regimen
Not only does your provider administer the treatments you have agreed upon, but they also keep a careful eye on you throughout the process. They look for things like:
- Signs of progress toward your treatment goals
- Symptoms of side effects
- Warning signs of potential issues that they should address immediately before they become truly serious
- Ways to adjust or stop treatment as necessary
Other Treatments for Pelvic Tilt
Say that chiropractic adjustments are not providing the level of relief you want or that you cannot undergo adjustments for any reason. Is there any other treatment that can help alleviate your symptoms? Yes, there are multiple other options you can choose from or undergo concurrently with your adjustments, including:
Stretches for Tilted Pelvis
A physical therapist can examine you and design a series of customized stretches and exercises that can help realign your pelvis. It is important to get professional guidance in deciding what stretches to do, as some movement types can make your symptoms worse.
Since pelvic tilt is so often caused or worsened by poor posture and lack of exercise, learning to sit, stand, and move properly can make a big difference.
Recommending Lifestyle Adjustments to Treat Pelvic Tilt
In addition to exercises designed to alleviate symptoms, your provider can help you make larger lifestyle changes that can reduce pain and prevent future injuries. For instance:
- If excessive sitting is the problem, they can tell you how often you should take a break and stand up or do stretches. They might recommend a special chair or a standing desk to reduce the time you spend sitting down.
- If you are not getting enough or the right kind of exercise, they can help you build your strength gradually over time and design an exercise regimen that addresses your specific needs.
- If they feel that losing weight might be beneficial, exercise can help you accomplish this goal as well. In addition, a dietician can assess your current meal plan and start substituting less helpful foods for options that can improve bone health.
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How Long Does it Take to Treat Pelvic Tilt With Chiropractic Care?
Depending on the cause and severity of your injury, your chiropractor might be able to address the issue in a single appointment, or they might need to see you regularly for at least a few months. You can work with your provider to come up with the schedule that is best for you.
In some cases, like if your tilted pelvis is caused by a chronic or degenerative condition, you might have to continue working with your provider over the long term.
When to Stop Chiropractic Care for Pelvic Tilt
Ideally, you will stop treatment once your symptoms are gone and the root cause of those symptoms has been addressed. However, there may be situations where you have to stop sooner than that, such as if:
- You have been trying this treatment for a while, and you are not responding to it in the way that you and your provider hoped
- You develop a condition or side effect that makes it too dangerous to continue the treatment
- You decide you are uncomfortable with this treatment option and want to try something else
Stay in close contact with your provider about how you feel, both physically and emotionally. A strong working relationship allows them to make your experience as stress-free as possible while administering the care that you want and need most.
How Much Does Chiropractic Care Cost?
That depends on how long you need treatment and how much your health insurance covers. If you have any concerns about paying for your care, tell your provider before you get started. They will be happy to address any and all questions about your treatment, including questions about payment.
Start Chiropractic Treatment for Pelvic Tilt Today
Treating pelvic tilt with chiropractic care is just one of the many services offered by the team at Specific Care Chiropractic. Call our number to schedule your first appointment today. Our team is eager to tell you more about how our noninvasive treatment options can improve your quality of life.
