I Was Told I Have a Short Leg—How Can Chiropractic Treatment Help?

The human body is never completely symmetrical—think of rings that will fit on one hand but not the other, shoes that are slightly different lengths or widths or one arm that is slightly longer than the other. It’s very common to have slight differences between each side of your body. However, when one leg is shorter than the other (by 5mm or more), you may suffer from short leg syndrome. Depending on the length disparity, this can cause anything from mild discomfort to severe pain.

WHAT IS SHORT LEG SYNDROME?

It is rare to have an actual short leg caused by unequal bone lengths. A more likely scenario is that the hips or spine have rotated to cause the appearance of a low hip or a short leg. Similarly, if you rotate your upper back or shoulders, one arm will appear short. The short side is usually rotated backwards, also causing muscle tightness and irritation on that side. Chiropractic adjustments combined with specific exercises can correct this.

Typically, a chiropractor will measure your legs to rule out an actual leg length discrepancy before determining a course of treatment.

Because the spinal system is designed to bear weight evenly, an uneven distribution of weight can cause pain in the lower back, spine, hips, legs and knees. That’s because the weight places more stress on one side than the other. This will also cause stiff muscles and joints.

Sometimes this is due to hip fractures or previous leg and knee problems, but it’s also possible to simply be born that way.

HOW CAN CHIROPRACTIC TREATMENT HELP?

First and foremost, chiropractors can realign the spine, which will loosen the musculoskeletal system and promote healing. This helps the body relax the stiff muscles and joints over time and regain its natural balance.

Your chiropractor may also prescribe orthotic heel lifts, which are designed to balance out the legs by helping distribute the weight equally, which allows your body to regain its natural balance. In conjunction with chiropractic alignments over a period of time, your body will loosen its stiffness and correct itself.

Finally, your chiropractor will make some lifestyle recommendations. These are important, practical changes that you can make that will help ensure that you don’t revert to behaviors or postures that are causing you pain. With a combination of all three, over time, you may find that the pain either disappears completely or is at least significantly lessened.

CHIROPRACTIC TREATMENT FOR SHORT LEG SYNDROME IN NAPLES, FL

Were you recently told you have a short leg? Chiropractic can help! At Hiler Chiropractic & Neurology, we treat the root cause of your health issues, rather than just the symptoms. We use the most advanced technologies to treat pain and improve function. Our care team includes three board-certified chiropractors, a medical doctor and a nurse practitioner, and we’re dedicated to helping our patients feel better. For more information about how chiropractic care can help treat your short leg syndrome, call our office at 239-330-1000.